Ammo for the Bodyguard 380
 

During my range sessions I did some make shift ammunition tests to see how various 380 loads would perform against hostile waterjugs.
1. Winchester WB Truncated FMJ.
As expected these zipped right thru the water jugs. I like the bullet design and since most HPs don't reliably expand at 380 velocities this would be a decent carry load. At least with a FMJ you should get good penetration which is important.
2. Federal Classic HP.
These did not expand and went thru the waterjugs just like the FMJ loads.
3. Federal Low Recoil HydroShok HP.
Just like the Classics these to zipped right thru the waterjugs with no expansion.
4. Corbon 95 grn JHP.
This load is rated at over 1000 fps and was the first HP load that actually expanded really doing a numbe ron the hostile waterjug. Good load.
5. Corbon DPX Copper HP.
This load was just as good as the above load with even more expansion.
6. Winchester PDX1 JHP.
This was I think the best load of my tests. It penetrated nearly 2 jugs lodging in the back wall and expanded just slightly less than the DPX.
So of all these loads I would carry either the Winchester PDX1 or either Corbon example with confidence. Anything else you might just as well carry a FMJ load and at least you'll get good penetration with the FMJ loads. These short barrel pocket 380s just don't generate enough velocity to reliably expand except for the PDX1 and Corbon loads.

Good comparison and useful information when selecting ammo. I've got some Remington Golden Sabres which I wonder about.

Thanks for the info mag318. I've enjoyed all your posts about the BG380. I use the Corbon DPX for carry.

From everything I've read, the new Hornady Critical Defense .380 load is one of the best around. I really like that it features a new powder charge to lessen muzzle flash in the new shorter barrel .380s on the market now. Many of the .380 loads from a few years ago were for 3" barrels like the Walther and others. Lots of unburned powder causing muzzle flash and losing velocity in the Ruger LCP, etc.

The red ball at the tip really seems to work well, causing expansion 100% of the time.

MAG318, I am interested in your results. In general, I was pretty high on the new PDX1 ammo when it came out, but according to energy and velocity specs, it seemed that the Corbon was a little better, but your results kind of shed new light. Just to clarify, I gathered from your results that the PDX1 actually penetrated better than both Corbon's and expanded almost as well...would you say that is correct?

Yes that is correct. The PDX1 load nearly penetrated two 1 gallon waterjugs and was lodged in the outer wall of the 2'nd jug. The DPX didn't make it that far which is why I like the PDX1 load more. Both as you can see from my photos expanded well, but adequate penetration is a more important factor. My testing wasn't very scientific but still showcased penetration and expansion characteristics of various 380 loads. If I could not get Winchester PDX1 cartridges the Cobons would be my next choice.
I haven't tried Hornadys' Critical Defense 380s yet but have read of instances when they failed to ignite due to faulty primers. Pulling the trigger and having nothing happen would be very upsetting to say the least. Having the Bodyguards repeat strike capability would hopefully ignite a faulty or hard primer on the second try. I would imagine that Hornady once made aware of this would rectify any problem.

Hornady CD
 

I had read also where the CD ammo was having primer problems. I had 3 boxes that I bought over 3 months ago and had not used due to that issue so when I got the new BG decided to see how they performed. Fired 75 rounds with no FTF, all fired the first pull and were the most accurate out of the 4 brands I was using that day.