I did this as there was a discussion in the Lounge about the Ruger LCP and if .380 JHP expand. I posted it there as well as here. I normally carry the Remington Golden Sabers 102 gr or the Speer Gold Dots in my LCP. I thought I would try these Winchesters as they were a good price( if there is such a thing for .380 JHP) Plus they come in a really fancy, nice looking box.
Anyway, first the disclaimer. I did this as I am crazy. I do not recommend it, nor does this forum. Kids do not try this at home. Use at you own risk and whatever disclaimer you care to insert. I am not responsible, just ask my wife.
The "scientific" test set up is as follows.
Gun: Ruger LCP.380
I filled a 5 gal bucket with ripped up newspaper (large pieces) and around 3 gallons of water. It was very dense. More solid than liquid.
To prevent splash back I put a double piece of cardboard (skin?)box on top and laid a old hand towel to simulate a shirt.
To avoid the water draining out, I shot the rounds, straight down into the covered bucket at a distance of 3 feet or so above the covered bucket
Fired 2 of the Winchester PDX (they are on the top) and one Remington Golden Saber (102) gr which is what I had in the gun at the time.
I fired them one at a time and then dug them out. All three penetrated 9-10"
The Winchesters fully expanded, the Remington not as much.
So there you have it. Yes, they expand, no they are not a 9mm or a 40 SW but in my opinion they are sufficent to cause serious harm.
I am not a ballistics nut, nor do I want to get into a ballistic discussion of what is better. This was only to see how a .380 can and does expand.
Anyway, first the disclaimer. I did this as I am crazy. I do not recommend it, nor does this forum. Kids do not try this at home. Use at you own risk and whatever disclaimer you care to insert. I am not responsible, just ask my wife.
The "scientific" test set up is as follows.
Gun: Ruger LCP.380
I filled a 5 gal bucket with ripped up newspaper (large pieces) and around 3 gallons of water. It was very dense. More solid than liquid.
To prevent splash back I put a double piece of cardboard (skin?)box on top and laid a old hand towel to simulate a shirt.
To avoid the water draining out, I shot the rounds, straight down into the covered bucket at a distance of 3 feet or so above the covered bucket
Fired 2 of the Winchester PDX (they are on the top) and one Remington Golden Saber (102) gr which is what I had in the gun at the time.
I fired them one at a time and then dug them out. All three penetrated 9-10"
The Winchesters fully expanded, the Remington not as much.
So there you have it. Yes, they expand, no they are not a 9mm or a 40 SW but in my opinion they are sufficent to cause serious harm.
I am not a ballistics nut, nor do I want to get into a ballistic discussion of what is better. This was only to see how a .380 can and does expand.
