.380 duty ammo

A lot of theory and a lot of speculations are just that. The following picture is of 2 bullets that I removed out of recently deceased antelopes. Each animal had been dead less than 1 minute. On each antelope I fired 2 rounds of ammunition at a severe going away angle, aiming for the last rib toward the off shoulder. I used a Ruger LCP, I used a Cor-Bon DPX's on one antelope and Remington Golden Sabre's on the other. On each antelope only 1 bullet was recovered. First the DPX that was recovered had the bullet entering between the last 2 ribs not hitting any bone, and had made it to the off shoulder, again not encountering any bone on either the shoulder or ribs, approximately 18" of penetrition mainly lung tissue and light muscle. The other bullet failed to exit as well but was unrecovered. The next antelope was a very small antelope, not shot by me, again fired from the last rib angleing to the off shoulder. Again no bones were hit on the enterance or where it came to rest in the muscle of the off shoulder and the bullet had only 9" of penetration. The second Golden Sabre was at the same angle, had penetrated 11" and exited and was unrecovered, again hitting no bone. Later on that year I shot an average sized mule deer buck in his heavy winter coat, both shots were broad side lung shots. Both using the Cor-Bon DPX bullets, both bullets completely penetrated the animal and exited and were unrecovered. No rib bones were hit with either bullet. For some reason I just cannot seem to hit a rib bone with a .380 to determine its capacity and penetration. This as always is not a mine's good and yours isn't, these are just actual results.

DSC_0069.jpg
 
I have over the years shot lots an lots of .380acp an .32acp. The .32acp is more accurate than the .380acp(still doesn't make the .380acp a good choice). With either it boils down to shot placement. In gunfights most folks focus on the gun not the attacker, which is a bad thing, you need to focus under or above the attacker's weapon. This way you get a head or heart shot. Keep shooting till the threat stops, even if it means a reload. Will the .380acp or .32acp hollowpoints expand?? Maybe, maybe not. Even the .45acp does't stop all who are shot with it, an same goes for the 125gr .357magHP. There is no majic bullet, what there is, is a need to practice with your carry gun, or BUG to where you can place those hits where they need to go. This practice should include dryfire drills along with range time, and if your doing alot of shooting inside 10yds, start training yourself to point shoot, as you may not have the time to get a proper sight picture.
 
i keep my lcp in a galco horse hide pocket holster. great little holster. hornady critical defense is my round of choice. i know for a fact these expand. done a little testing. i carry a magtech 10 rounder in my other pocket. .380 is as small as any one should go for personal defense. i have never found any of the poo pooers of .380 willing to stand downrange yet...
 
A lot of theory and a lot of speculations are just that. The following picture is of 2 bullets that I removed out of recently deceased antelopes. Each animal had been dead less than 1 minute. On each antelope I fired 2 rounds of ammunition at a severe going away angle, aiming for the last rib toward the off shoulder. I used a Ruger LCP, I used a Cor-Bon DPX's on one antelope and Remington Golden Sabre's on the other. On each antelope only 1 bullet was recovered. First the DPX that was recovered had the bullet entering between the last 2 ribs not hitting any bone, and had made it to the off shoulder, again not encountering any bone on either the shoulder or ribs, approximately 18" of penetrition mainly lung tissue and light muscle. The other bullet failed to exit as well but was unrecovered. The next antelope was a very small antelope, not shot by me, again fired from the last rib angleing to the off shoulder. Again no bones were hit on the enterance or where it came to rest in the muscle of the off shoulder and the bullet had only 9" of penetration. The second Golden Sabre was at the same angle, had penetrated 11" and exited and was unrecovered, again hitting no bone. Later on that year I shot an average sized mule deer buck in his heavy winter coat, both shots were broad side lung shots. Both using the Cor-Bon DPX bullets, both bullets completely penetrated the animal and exited and were unrecovered. No rib bones were hit with either bullet. For some reason I just cannot seem to hit a rib bone with a .380 to determine its capacity and penetration. This as always is not a mine's good and yours isn't, these are just actual results.

DSC_0069.jpg

nice work here. it may be small, but .380 still puts rounds downrange.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top