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Federal 380 ammo

papadave

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I have a question about Federal 380 ammo. What if any is the difference between Federal American Eagle and the target/practice loads?
 
I have a question about Federal 380 ammo. What if any is the difference between Federal American Eagle and the target/practice loads?

If by target/practice loads you mean the Federal Range /Training load, they have different weight bullets, and the Range/Training bullets are Lead free. Because of the bullet weight difference the Range/Training load is faster but has less energy.
 
380 ammo

The stuff I was looking at is Federal American Eagle and Federal Range/Train/Practice. Both 95gr fmj 980 fps fmj.
 
Because of the times we live in, pretty much any FMJ round is called "range or practice" ammo regardless of the velocity or the ft. pounds of energy. HP ammo is known as "self defense" ammo.

I am a big proponent of hollow point ammo in 9mm, 38 spl, 357 mag, 44 mag, etc. however there are a few exceptions for me. While I do not carry a .380 acp, if I did, I'd use Federal or American Eagle FMJ. IMHO Federal is the most reliable and consistent vs other brands. The reason I'd carry FMJ is primarily because the JHP's in that caliber suffer from a lack of penetration. While the FMJ will never expand, at least it is capable of reaching vital organs because it will penetrate farther. They are also more reliable feeders than the JHP's especially in older guns that were never designed for hp's.

The other guns I'd only carry FMJ in are (IF I ever did cary one) pistols that were made 4,5,6 or more , decades ago. There are some 1911 pistols that will not reliably function with HP ammo. Federal American Eagle brand is for some reason 55 feet per second faster than the Federal version - don't ask why because I do not know. The AE is 890fps and the Fed is 835fps. So...... IMHO, one would be better off with the AE brand in this particular instance. While neither will expand, remember, it's already almost a 1/2 in diameter and will get the job done.
 
Being a recent and minimal 380 Shooter, I have shot several ammo Brands in my LCP Max. That includes FMJ and Hollow Points, but no Lead Free.
Zero problems.
 
The gun that I carry the most is my S&W Model 986 9mm revolver. It is loaded with Federal Hydra-Shoks, but I carry two or three moonclips of FMJ in my pockets should they be needed.
 
The stuff I was looking at is Federal American Eagle and Federal Range/Train/Practice. Both 95gr fmj 980 fps fmj.

I would be greatly surprised if there is any difference between the two other than packaging. You could buy some of both and pull a bullet from each and look them over and weight the powder charges.
 
Lately been shooting a fair amount of 9mm.
Mostly Cabelas House brand Herters. It’s most likely Win White Box.
Zero problems in 4 different pistols.
Cabelas - Herters 22LR? ****!
Don’t go there!
 
The gun that I carry the most is my S&W Model 986 9mm revolver. It is loaded with Federal Hydra-Shoks, but I carry two or three moonclips of FMJ in my pockets should they be needed.

Whatever floats your boat, but I can't imagine carrying even one loaded moonclip in a pocket because of the obtrusive bulge it would have to make.
 

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