hornady critical defense in my 380 BG

saliva2002 · #1 07-12-2011, 01:28 AM

When I bought my BG380, the gun shop recommended the hornady critical defense, so I bought a small box, and the orange filled hollow points intrigued me. So I went home and watched the video on the hornady website and it makes perfect sense, but then again, every company selling a product will make sure it makes perfect sense.....

1. Anybody have any opinions on this exact ammo?

2. Do hollow points get clogged often enough to worry about it? I've seen some vids on youtube of hollow points not expanding because denim gets clogged in the opening.

here's the hornady vid:
YouTube - ‪Critical Defense 2011 Product Overview from Hornady®‬&rlm;

and the hornady website:
Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Handgun :: Choose by Product Line :: Critical Defense®

safearm · #2 07-12-2011, 03:06 PM

I use Hornady CD in my PPK; only CD and Cor Bon PowrBall will reliably feed through it. I can generally find CD much easier, and less expensive, than the PB, so it's what I carry most often.

thndrchiken · #3 07-12-2011, 04:38 PM

While it is possible for lint to get into the hollow point, I find it hard to believe that when the magazine is in the gun that lint will make all the way up the barrel to clog the hollow point. Now if they are talking about the targets clothing clogging the hollow point that is a possibility but I really don't buy into all of the marketing hype. My primary defensive loadings for the 9MM and 40 are Winchester Ranger and Federal HST for the 45. That's mainly because that is what most law enforcement agencies are using in my area.

ikor · #4 07-12-2011, 07:02 PM

The .380 is notorius for poor penetration in JHP form. I don't carry one, but if I did it would be loaded with S&B FMJ. Deep holes beat wide, shallow ones any day.

off road · #5 07-13-2011, 08:07 AM

I have tested CD's in several calibers, and am impressed enough to load them in everything for the street! Expansion is impressive and penetration is reasonable. I trust you got the +P's ?

But, for home defense I load Glaser Silvers.

H Richard · #6 07-13-2011, 09:49 AM

I have witnessed some ballistic jell tests with the Hornady CD,and I was impressed. If I remember correctly, it passed through a layer of denim&cotton materiel then penetrated 11" into the Jell and expanded perfectly. The test was repeated 3 times and was literally identical every time. That's what I now carry in my .380's.