.380 HP

[Helderberg]

I am asking if the use of HP ammo in a short barreled auto, a S&W Bodygaurd, makes any sense. Reason I ask is the expansion from a handgun like this is at best spotty and penetration limited. If you need to shoot and the BG has a heavy coat would a FMJ make more of an impact? I have no idea if my logic makes any sense but the only reason I see for a HP in my .380 is for the jury and prosecuting attorney making a case for not worrying about my neighbors. I don't know what is the best but would appreciate any information you could throw my way.
Best, Frank.

[OKFC05]

No definitive answer to this one.
I use Gold dots in everything for carry, mostly because the typical HP in .380 will clog and not expand given any chance to do so, and the gold dots are better than most.

The other school of though is why not use FMJ for better penetration and low cost.

Frankly, I quit carrying .380 as a primary gun after some bad experiences shooting animals with little immediate effect. 9mm/.38spl is as low as I go for primary carry now, particularly with guns like the compact Kahr 9mm available.

If I have to deal with another large vicious dog, I'd prefer a shotgun over any handgun to keep from getting bitten, and intend to shoot it ASAP instead of just trying to get it off my property.

[Maximumbob54]

I don't go for slow moving low mass HP bullets in small calibers. In 200+ grains bullets that is subjective. I'm going to be casting these for my Bersa Thunder .380 soon and I think they will be pretty good.

TL358-100-RF Ranch Dog's TL358-100-RF [TL358100RF] - $60.00 : Ranch Dog Outdoors, Ranch Dog Outdoors - Lee Special Order Bullet Molds for Leverguns and semi-auto Handguns

[roker]

Federal HS 90gr penetrates 9.4" while 90gr FMJ will penetrate 10.9" I would rather go with the Hydroshok myself. You can also check out Handloads.com for different bullet types & weights. Also includes actual shootings & one shot stops with different bullets.

[Wirbech]

You might want to check out the new Hornady FTX Critical Defense .380 90-Grain rounds. If you go to Hornady's web site they have a vid that explains the FTX technology. But then again, almost any of the newer HP defense rounds will be better than a FMJ. The FMJ rounds will most likely give you the through and through shot, not a hit that will stop the attacker. I use them in my 9mm for my everyday carry load.

John

[ArchAngelCD]

I have several friends who carry a 380 when they need to carry something very small. They all have switched over to Hornady Critical Defense ammo because of the polymer tipped bullet. They seem to expand well no matter what barriers are presented.

[alwslate]

When I carry one of my 380s it is loaded with FMJ. Penetration and
bullet placement are what counts.

[mkk41]

I've always thought that bullets were designed to make cool looking mushrooms when shot from a perfectly square angle into wet newspaper or ballistics gel under controlled labratory conditions. Both are fairly consistant in hardness/toughness. The human body isn't. Ya got muscle , bones , cartlidge , fat/flab , organs and clothing. Plus I doubt a self defense scenerio will rarely present a truly square shot.
Modern bullets like the Hornady XTP and Speer Gold Dot are impressive in gel and newspaper.

My .380s will stay loaded with Glasers. Proven track record against bad guys. My second mag (if needed) is loaded with ball for penetration to the vital organs.

[offensive]

On my BG380(my summertime carry gun,as it it easier to conceal in shorts and a t-shirt) I have them staggered. Corbon powerball then Gold Dot then Powerball. I have taken it to the range to make sure I did not have any feed problems doing it and it shot just fine through a box of each.

[S&W forever]

Speer Gold Dot to me work the best in my Bodyguard

[gunlovingirl]

I carry Corbon DPX in my BG380.

[Mike, SC Hunter]

FMJ's in thw wifes's LCR.

[30-30remchester]

I have actually used a Ruger LCP to shoot resently killed antelope and deer. Within 1 minute of death the antelope were shot with either Cor-Bon DPX or Remington Golder Sabre. The shots were taken at extreme angles entering at last rib and angled for off shoulder. The DPX'S gave more penatration and both brands showed excellent mushrooms. A mule deer buck was shot broadside in the lungs at 5'. The deer was wearing his heavy winter coat. I used the DPX'S for 2 shots. Both rounds blew through both sides and exited.

[TACC1]

30-30,
I guess that's about as clinical a test as you could ask for. Thanks.
TACC1

[Mule88]

When I carry a .380 I use to carry HP's but tests were showing minimal penetration with them. Ive since switched to Winchesters whitebox which has a flat nose bullet I feel will give better penetration and the flat nose will give a bit more damage to tissue than the round nose design.

[John Law]

I know this is not scientific but out of curiosity I wanted to see how several brands of JHP would compare when shot into gallon milk containers. The cartridges I tried were Speer Gold Dot, Hornady Critical Defense and Winchester PDX1. What I found was that the GD was not always consistent, it did not always expand. The PDX had exceptional expansion but also appeared to have the least penetration, what surprised me was that the Hornady CD was the most consistent, it always expanded although not as large as the PDX and seemed to penetrate deeper into the gallons. Penetration was only visual as to where the bullet ended up at the bottom of the gallon so it probably is not accurate.
I realize hitting the human body with any caliber can have varying effects, this info is based on only one type of media. I no longer carry 380, if I did I would probably go with the Critical Defense or a flat nose FMJ.
PDX1 Expansion .71 & .68 Penetration approx 7"
Speer Gold Dot Expansion .508 Penetration approx 8"
Hornady CD Expansion .495 & .465 Penetration approx 10"