2 Questions RE .380 Ammuntion

[Smoke]

The questions

1. For a .380 would ball ammunition be a better choice for self defense than hollow point.

2. If HPs are a better round can you recommend a goof self defense round.

The backstory.

My wife carries an LCP, it's not ideal but she won't carry anything bigger. I don't know that much about ballistics and ammunition performance and every time I try to read up on it my eyes glaze over so I have to rely on those of you who do understand to give me some pointers.

 

[gm272gs]

Jacketed hollow points are almost always better.

For the .380, the best expansion I have ever seen in this caliber was 85gr. Winchester Silvertips, but if you can find Hornady's 90gr. Critical Defense, I understand that they're just as good.

 

[blujax01]

Some of the mouse guns are finicky eaters. Generally speaking, ball runs more reliably than HP.

Generally speaking, ball ammo allows for greater penetration - something lacking in the .380.

Some of the hotter HP's will allow for both penetration and expansion but it makes handling the recoil an adventure.

Whatever she chooses, run a magazine through the pistol and see how it (and she) reacts. Three paragraphs and no answers to your questions. How's that?

 

[jimmib]

I carry with the Hornady FTX...I have never had an FTF or FTE with it

 

[gm272gs]

I would suggest at least a box of whatever defense round you choose. If you have any failures to feed or eject in 20 rounds, you need to use something else.

 

[petepeterson]

I carry a Kel-Tec P3AT on occasion, and load it with WWB flat points. They are reliable, and not too snappy to shoot a few at the range. It's not a fun pistol to shoot with any load, IMO. It also adds the benefit of stocking only one type of load, for practice and carry.

I don't get into the ballistics and whatnot as much as other members here, but when you're getting into the .380 and below range, with the only option being light bullets, I prefer the more probable penetration of the FMJ.

 

[H Richard]

The ballistics of the 380 from a short barrel aren't great. That being, a majority of the HP's won't open at that velocity, and the HP's will plug up with clothing, (except the Hornady Critical defense). My opinion is that the Win White box flat point is one of the best rounds for the LCP. Since there is no HP to plug up with clothing, the flat point imparts better shocking power but still penetrates.

 

[USAF385]

A few years back, forum member Erich had interesting input on the subject.

I wish I had my old computer because I had the thread bookmarked. Long story short, when I carried .380, I used FMJ for deeper penetration.

 

[tops]

My wife uses the Win. flat pt. FMJ. The FMJ will give the best penetration and the flat pt. will do more damage than a round pt. I think a SWC would be the best option. I base my decision on 60 plus years of killing a lot animals from chipmunks to deer. Larry

 

[jtpur]

I keep my Kel-Tec 380 stocked with Hornady Critical Defense. I did a lot of research and chose this round. It never FTF, or FTE, shoot clean, recoil is ok for such a small gun, and the ballistics were reasonable. Second choice would be Speer Gold Dot. Also,run well in my Kel-Tec

 

[max]

If I remember various posts here, ball is best in that caliber.

 

[BC38]

I still like my 95g Federal Hydra-Shoks in my 380. 10-12 inches penetration, 98% weight retention, and expansion to just under a half inch diameter. Works for me.

 

[Erich]

I've worked on two shootings with .380 Hydra-Shoks where they didn't adequately penetrate to be effective.

This question comes up a lot - here's the thread that was referenced above:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/98508-380-load-calling-erich.html

Look at the linkback links in that thread for hours and hours of reading.

 

[Protected One]

You went and opened up the can of worms...again.
Answers will range from .380 is inadequate, to nothing but fmj.

For my part, I've carried a BG380 for some time now, loaded with Hornady Critical Defense. My research showed that it ALWAY expanded, and achieved 11.25 inches of penetration in gel test (5 1/2" when it struck bone). In my view that is sufficient for close quarters self-defense. Besides, the sight of a gun ends 95% of encounters. Threats don't stick around to "check caliber" and recall its ballistics.

 

[Protected One]

I've worked on two shootings with .380 Hydra-Shoks where they didn't adequately penetrate to be effective.

"Effective" at what?

 

[Smoke]

I've worked on two shootings with .380 Hydra-Shoks where they didn't adequately penetrate to be effective.

This question comes up a lot - here's the thread that was referenced above:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/98508-380-load-calling-erich.html

Look at the linkback links in that thread for hours and hours of reading.

Thanks for your input I will check this out

 

[Erich]

"Effective" at what?

Take a guess.

We're not talking about knitting here.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[Smoke]

Take a guess.

We're not talking about knitting here.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

Quoted the wrong post.

In your other thread you used the acronym GSs what does it mean ?

 

[Erich]

Just guessing because it's been years ... Golden Sabers?

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[Smoke]

"Effective" at what?

I won't speak for Erich but if they're going after my wife I want them stopped. COLD.

 

[Smoke]

Just guessing because it's been years ... Golden Sabers?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

Thanks

I think we are going to go with the flat tipped ball.

 

[Smoke]

Answers will range from .380 is inadequate, to nothing but fmj.

Better the .380 she will carry than the .45 she won't.

Besides, the sight of a gun ends 95% of encounters. Threats don't stick around to "check caliber" and recall its ballistics.

If that's the case why bother to load the gun? Just show it to the bad guy and watch him run. I want my wife to be as ready as possible for the 5% of time when the bad guy doesn't run.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I pocket carry an LCP.

The best ammo for these small pistols is what cycles flawlessly in your gun in your hands. I started with Hornady CD. 100%. Never tried anything else. Probably never will.

 

[Protected One]

Take a guess.

We're not talking about knitting here.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

Effective at what is a legitimate question, given that some speak in terms of "stopping the threat", while others speak in term of putting the threat "down". One does not necessarily=the other. So I ask... "effective at what?"

 

[jimmib]

I haven't been around this forum very long,but I have noticed there is usually controversy when the .380 is being discussed...interesting

 

[Smoke]

I haven't been around this forum very long,but I have noticed there is usually controversy when the .380 is being discussed...interesting

That's just the internet in general. I've noticed that even when there is contraversy it's pretty civil

 

[Protected One]

I haven't been around this forum very long,but I have noticed there is usually controversy when the .380 is being discussed...interesting

Very true. The controversy stems from the belief of some that the caliber is wholly inadequate, and apparently, everyone who doesn't subscribe to that belief are either too lazy to do what's necessary to carry a REAL caliber...or to stupid to know they should.
About every month someone raises a question about .380, that is what I was referring to in my first post when I said he "opened the can of worms...again"

 

[BC38]

I've worked on two shootings with .380 Hydra-Shoks where they didn't adequately penetrate to be effective.

This question comes up a lot - here's the thread that was referenced above:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/98508-380-load-calling-erich.html

Look at the linkback links in that thread for hours and hours of reading.

That's interesting. Not enough penetration to stop the threat? How much penetration did they achieve? What were they trying to penetrate? Normal clothing? Leather? Bone?

This is directly in contradiction of the tests I've seen with 4 layers of denim over ballistics gel. Not doubting you, just trying to ascertain the facts and "the whole story".

May be time to switch my SD rounds in the little pocket pistol...

 

[alwslate]

This topic always results in controversy, with some comments
becoming a bit vitriolic for no good reason really. I always like to read
the opinions of others, especially when those opinions are backed up
by a little more than the poster's own logical mind. Since I own several
380s and sometimes carry one I decided to do a little testing of my
own a while back. 380 HPs are pretty short and some just don't feed
very well. Chronographing revealed that some HPs, even though lighter
than FMJ were no faster than FMJs and even slower in some cases.
Shooting low velocity HPs, like 380s into wood is a waste of ammo.
I shot FMJs into landscape timbers, construction pine boards and
cedar mailbox posts. The most revealing test came when I shot FMJs
into a 12" stack of tightly bound watersoaked newspapers backed up
by 2x12 construction pine lumber. Virtually all of the FMJRNs behaved
like pointed FMJ rifle bullets in soft tissue and tumbled on their way
through the wet paper. Some impacted the wood in full broadside
profile. The exception was the Winchester FPs which remained point
forward but fail to impress me by chronographing about 50 fps slower
that other brand's RNs in my guns. All in all a deeply penetrating,
tumbling FMJRN seems the best choice for reliable effective ammo
for SD in 380 autos to me so that's what I load mine with. Feel free
to draw your own conclusions.

 

[PaulInVa]

Search Google "YouTube .380 ballistics" you'll find 10 videos of .380 gel tests with different ammo. Then make up your own mind what to use. IMHO