Best self defense ammo for my BG380

[top gun 638]

Hi guys: I ordered my BG380 last week , so when it comes in i will go to the range and shoot it . I picked out a few differant kinds ammo to buy , here they are: Hornady critical defense--Speer gold dot-- Cor bon self defense--or buffalo bore. My question is which one do you guys think will be my best load for self defense ? Thanks for any info.

 

[hsmith9491]

Best self defense 380 round

COR BON 380 Auto 80 gr DPX
Velocity 1050fps Energy 196ft/lbs.
All copper hollow point

 

[sigp220.45]

This thread makes a pretty good case for plain old .380 ball (which is what I have in my LCP).

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

 

[Will Carry]

I use CorBon Powerball and PMC Starfire. That is all I could find. The powerballs feed great but they cost a dollar a shot. I can agree with sigp229.45 that hardballs are probably as good as any when considering a 380.
"If you can get good hits any ammo will do, if you miss nothing will"

 

[cjw3]

I use Federal 95 grain FMJ's in my Kel-Tec. Function is 100% and they penetrate well, at least in tests I have seen.

I like the looks of the flat nose Winchester FMJ. I may get a box or two of it to try out.

 

[Old cop]

Gun Tests recently rated .380 ammo & suggested FMJ (ball) due to the issue of adequate penetration.

 

[26Ford]

Another vote for FMJ rounds in the .380. I'm with oldcop 100%. My LCP eats the white box Winchester like I eat Maine Lobster.

 

[Pointblank2U]

I researched this pretty thoroughly a few months back. The 380acp has a rough time balancing penetration and expansion. The best compromise is the Speer Gold Dot. I like DPX also, but it expands a bit faster and penetrates a bit less.

 

[top gun 638]

Thanks for all the info . Looks like the fmj's are the way to go . I'll add a box of winchester fmj's in the white box to my list. Can't wait for my BG380 to come in , i'll try these in my LCP for now.

 

[Steve C]

All this talk about "lack of penetration" stems from the FBI ammunition protocol that sets a suggested 12" minimum penetration for "law enforcement". Its ridiculous to say a JHP round with 10" to 11" of penetration which most .380 HP's demonstrate is inadequate for self defense or somehow less than lethal. To believe a fmj is better than a JHP you would have to believe a .40" + diamenter hole (expanded JHP) driven 10"+ into the body is inferior to a .355" hole through and through. If you are a LEO then maybe the .380 is a bit light for your primary. For a civilian the .380 acp is well proven and as effective as most .38 spl loads, specially when compared to the snub nose .38's in actual shootings.

If you think penetration is so important then you should be in awe of the old .38 spl LRN standard velocity load but remember that it has a dismal reputation as a man stopper. A .380 FMJ be it round or flat nose is no better or worse.

 

[IvanW]

Check out the Buffalo Bore web site. They have some very interesting rounds.

 

[top gun 638]

Hi Ivan: Just checked out the Buffalo Bore site you were right they do have interesting stuff, Do you or anyone else shoot 380+P's out of pocket auto , like the BG380 or the LCP .It seems like a very hot round. Thanks for the info.

 

[26Ford]

If I remember correctly, Ruger advises against +P in our LCP's.