Best ammo value for BG380???

[Paparoot]

My wife's 380 has a whole laundry list of issues which I have discussed on this forum. Probably should sell it but we are hard headed and do like the size and accuracy so we will continue to work through the issues.

One thing is that it is "picky" about ammo. Ask someone in a gun shop and they will always steer you to the $32 per 50 round boxes. That isn't going to happen with as much as we smoke in any given week.

We have tried most everything out there with mixed results (we order mostly from Ammunition Depot and Palmetto).

Given our experience there are two certainties...

1. All the Russian brands (Tula, Wolf, Silver Bear) with steel cases mean FTE consistently. (LOL: Not sure what to do with the rest of this stuff!)
2. Hollow points and flat noses are unreliable.

That means RN, FMJ has to be our choice.

What brands do any of you find to be the best for the BG380?

Thanks as always.

 

[Rickgus]

Paparoot - Check out my reply post to M&P Bodyguard FTF last round, page 2 of this forum. I replied to BigMax about the sale of PMC Bronze ammo from Target USA Sports. I did a sample order to show amount, and shipping to my state. I had issues with Remington UMC ammo, but my LGS steered me onto the PMC Bronze which my BG seems to like. Look at the reviews on the PMC ammo on Target USA, Cabela's and Gandermountain and you will see this ammo is highly rated.

I agree with you, the Bodyguard 380 is very picky about the ammo it likes. Good luck and let us know how you make out with ammo selections. - Rick

 

[1CZFAN]

PMC is good also look for PPU online and Perfecta @ Walmart when they have them.

As for hollow points I use Corbon Pow-Ball ammo for S/D.

 

[martybee]

Freedom Munitions is my choice. 380 Auto 100 gr FMJRNFP.
My BG380 eats 'em up. The price is great too. $15.85 a box of 50 rds.
Over 500 fired and absolutely zero issues!
mb

 

[robertrwalsh]

Being a fussy eater is common with .380 automatics. I know a couple of people who carry a hollowpoint up the spout and fmj in the magazines for that reason.

 

[USAF385]

If the gun is for carry, there's no way I'd keep it with a "laundry list of issues". I'd trade it. Either for another BG or some other .380. And I've been through a lot of different .380s trying to find "the one".

Being a fussy eater is common with .380 automatics. I know a couple of people who carry a hollowpoint up the spout and fmj in the magazines for that reason.

And many, like myself, carry all FMJ due to penetration issues with JHP .380.

 

[Florida J Frame]

Ruger LCP with HPR 90 gr JHP. Good penetration, good expansion and no issues.

 

[lmacrichter]

Traded mine on a Sig 238. No issues with the Sig and it eats what ever I feed it. Cost a little more but I think you get what pay for. I too loved the BG but just too many problems with it.

 

[handlebar]

I use Freedom munitions 100gr fmj flat point. they make new or reloaded. I buy the new.

 

[JWH321]

Fiocchi seems to work in mine. Still $20 a box, though.

I mostly shoot my handloads. Berrys RN 100 grn with Starline brass, Titegroup powder and CCI primers. I've had no issues.

 

[cporfe]

I seem to be the only BG owner with no real problems. I run Remington FMJs for practice, then switch to Winchester silvertip for carry. I've fired 100 rounds of silvertip with zero problems. It did take a 100 rounds of Remington and Winchester White box to smooth things out first. Yes Silvertips are to expensive for practice, but not too expensive for carry.

Just my thoughts. Good luck on the BG as a carry.
Chris

 

[Dave from Pa]

Never had an issue with mine,fired almost 500 rds,mostly Fed Am. Eagle FMJ With some Rem. And WW thrown in.

 

[Paparoot]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I agree that the better the ammo then the better the functioning of the BG. However I am surprised that the Freedom Munitions 380acp flat nose seems to work for some of you. I have used their 9mm w/o issue but we stayed away from the flat nose because that design has been spotty for us. May order a couple boxes and see. Right now our choice is the PMC 90grain.

Bought some ProMags for it to see if that helps some of our issues too.

Yes, the BG was purchased for "purse carry" but hasn't seen action except at the range...because of the laundry list of issues.

My wife now carries one of my Rugers or her small Beretta or Taurus.

The BG is the most concealable so we keep trying to find the right combinations...including ammo.

 

[CaptRon956]

Bass pro shop has Remington UMC 250 rnd bulk packs for $96 bux. On a side note, my M&P .380 is my EDC and my carry ammo is Hornady's American Gunner XTP's... and in all honestly, I havent experienced a failure with that brand ammo.

Remington UMC .380 Auto Handgun Ammo Mega Pack | Bass Pro Shops

 

[Rickgus]

Bass pro shop has Remington UMC 250 rnd bulk packs for $96 bux. On a side note, my M&P .380 is my EDC and my carry ammo is Hornady's American Gunner XTP's... and in all honestly, I havent experienced a failure with that brand ammo.

Remington UMC .380 Auto Handgun Ammo Mega Pack | Bass Pro Shops

Capt Ron - Have you fired the Remington UMC rounds in your BG? These were a nightmare for my BG. My LCP will exhaust whatever UMC rounds I have left, but, after that no more for us! We were having FTFeeds, FTE's and sparks blowing out the ejection port of the BG. Our LGS steered us on to the PMC Bronze and have not had any issues since. You made reference to not having any failures with "that brand of ammo" which I thought you were referring to the Hornady's American Gunner XTP's. If I was mistaken and you meant not having failures with the Remington UMC's, I was wrong and you must have had better luck with them than we did! I also bought a box of these in the 9mm; I hope my only 9mm, my Glock 19 will shoot them without issue! Yes, these small pocket pistols are very picky about the ammo we feed them! One might have great results with a certain brand, and that brand may not work well for someone else! I can only add my two cents on our experience with them! I just checked out your link and the $96 equates to $19.20/box of 50, but they are offering free shipping on orders $50 or more. It is a good deal if your BG will swallow them. Mine won't but maybe yours had better luck! Take care - Rick

 

[xrayduke]

I have had success with Perfecta from Wal-Mart.

 

[Rickgus]

I have had success with Perfecta from Wal-Mart.

Xrayduke - Funny you should mention that. We were having problems with our BG (see above reply post) and our LGS fired PMC Bronze, Perfectas and some reloads a friend of his supplies him with, all without failures! I wished our Walmart would carry them, but they don't seem like they want to sell anything out the cabinet. Looks like the same ammo sits there with nothing being restocked! You're right, I would not hesitate at all firing Perfectas if I could only get my hands on some!

 

[Jamie]

While I understand the reality of some guns being "picky", any commercially available ammo should be 'eaten' by any quality gun. If it were my gun, it would be going back to S&W for repair, period.

 

[Iwant2shootlikehickock45]

the only problem mine had had when shooting blazer steel casings. The slide would not lock open on the last round with these