.380 ACP: Flat-Point FMJ vs JHP

[Echo40]

I'm long overdue to rotate the defensive ammo I carry in my Ruger LCP so I've been shopping for ammo, but after years of carrying .40 S&W as a primary carry gun, the prices on defensive .380 ACP seem outright offensive.
For years I carried some flavor of 90gr XTP because that's what seemed to consistently perform well in Gel Tests in terms of achieving minimal FBI Specifications. Unfortunately, the cost of such ammo seems to average out at 1¢ per grain, as the average 90gr XTP seems to cost 90¢ per round, which just seems like too much for minimum acceptable performance after years of carrying .40 S&W which obviously offers peak performance for a fraction of the price.
Nevertheless, the Ruger LCP has become a mainstay in my EDC rotation for its lightweight, small size, and extreme concealability, so I need to keep it fed.

Upon watching many .380 ACP ammo tests on YouTube, I've pretty much arrived at the conclusion that the vast majority of JHP ammo performs poorly, either completely failing to expand and therefore essentially functioning as an overpriced FMJ or otherwise expanding perfectly yet only penetrating 8-10" in Gel. Meanwhile, flat-nosed FMJ seems to perform much better, penetrating up to 19" in gel with minimal risk of collateral damage.
So I'm really struggling to convince myself that it's worth paying up to a dollar or more for JHP ammo in exchange for minimum acceptable performance at best, with carefully selected ammunition.

Thoughts?

 

[Denverd0n]

For the reasons you mentioned, I have only been using flat point ammo in .380 for a couple of years now.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I am dubious about getting adequate penetration with any .380 hollow point load. Shot placement and adequate penetration are more important, MUCH more important, than wound diameter. I would also go with the RN-FP or even straight-up RN FMJ rather than a HP in that caliber. My opinion, for what that is worth to you.

 

[Outpost75]

The Winchester 95 Flatnose FMJ is my ONLY .380 ammo. Runs in my P230, M1934, and Ruger original version LCP.

 

[Cphobes]

Thankfully the choice is yours, carry what you think is best.

I think there are several 380 JHP’s that work consistently well. Speed is king for them.

Precision one tested well years ago, underwood’s xtp is good and the new federal VHP looks to do well though it’s a newer round.

Will it ever match 9mm for consistency? I don’t think so but then again there’s plenty of 9mm JHP that fails just as bad.

One can go dizzy watching ballistics tests on YouTube nowadays…

 

[TJm15.38]

I'm shooting FMJ bullets of 95 grains or higher. My handloads are Hornady 100 grain FMJ. I figure a HP bullet will not expand at the velocities out of the short barrel Glock 42 and probably won't out of the CZ-83 which is just short of four inches. Think it's best to go with penetration versus expansion in the .380 ACP.