Informal Tests: Hornady Critical Defense Ammo

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I recently bought a small quantity of Hornady's new "Critical Defense" line of ammuntion in both .380 ACP and .38 Special. Neither is +P-rated.

Hornady's XTP line of ammunition uses a bullet that usually expands to about 1.5 times its original diameter (left). The new Critical Defense ammunition uses Hornady's FTX bullet (right). It is a jacketed lead bullet but one that has its hollow cavity filled with a very maleable plastic material that prevents its being clogged and almost guarantees expansion. Based on my admittedly limited and statistically-invalid layman's "tests", I believe it to be so.

I chronographed each load and found an average velocity of 911 ft/sec when the .380 ACP 90-gr. Critical Defense load was fired from a 3.5" bbl Bersa Thunder. This does not meet the published velocity of 1000 ft/sec from the company.

The .38 Special load was fired from a well-used S&W Model 042 with the usual 1 7/8" bbl. Its average velocity measured 856 ft/sec, far short of the nominal listed velocity of 1175 ft/sec. These figures are based on 10 shots fired 10 feet from the chronograph screens.

In my opinion, these are probably the best performing loads for a 38-caliber revolver. All but the Hornady 110-gr. Critical Defense (far right) are +P. L to R: Remington 158-gr. LHP +P, Corbon 110-gr. DPX +P, Speer 135-gr. Gold Dot +P, and Hornady 110-gr. Critical Defense.

It becomes pretty obvious that either longer barrels or pressure barrels were used when Hornady got their data.

In super-saturated newsprint, average penetration (also based on ten shots with 5 of each caliber fired through 4 layers of an old cotton/polyester towel) was 6.75" for the .380, which probably translates to just over 10" penetration in calibrated 10% ballistic gelatin. This is as good as I've seen for an expanding bullet in this caliber. Most do about 7.5 to 8" in gelatin, it seems.

The .38's were fired following the same protocol and achieved an average velocity of 856 ft/sec with penetration in the soaked newsprint averaging 7.6" or probably about 11.4" in ballistic gelatin.

I was amazed at the extreme consistency not only the expansion's reliability but the small differences in speed, shot to shot for each caliber. I could not differentiate between the expanded bullets fired through the towel and those that were not.

Both the .380 ACP and .38 Special Critical Defense loads proved exceptionally consistent. Average expanded diameter for the .380 was approximately 47-caliber and 48-caliber for the .38 Special load.

In my admittedly limited experience with this new ammunition, it appears to work and work very well.

For those interested in a more detailed report, it can be found here:

http://hipowers-handguns.blogspot.com/2008/12/informal-...ritical-defense.html

Best.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I recently bought a small quantity of Hornady's new "Critical Defense" line of ammuntion in both .380 ACP and .38 Special. Neither is +P-rated.

Hornady's XTP line of ammunition uses a bullet that usually expands to about 1.5 times its original diameter (left). The new Critical Defense ammunition uses Hornady's FTX bullet (right). It is a jacketed lead bullet but one that has its hollow cavity filled with a very maleable plastic material that prevents its being clogged and almost guarantees expansion. Based on my admittedly limited and statistically-invalid layman's "tests", I believe it to be so.

I chronographed each load and found an average velocity of 911 ft/sec when the .380 ACP 90-gr. Critical Defense load was fired from a 3.5" bbl Bersa Thunder. This does not meet the published velocity of 1000 ft/sec from the company.

The .38 Special load was fired from a well-used S&W Model 042 with the usual 1 7/8" bbl. Its average velocity measured 856 ft/sec, far short of the nominal listed velocity of 1175 ft/sec. These figures are based on 10 shots fired 10 feet from the chronograph screens.

In my opinion, these are probably the best performing loads for a 38-caliber revolver. All but the Hornady 110-gr. Critical Defense (far right) are +P. L to R: Remington 158-gr. LHP +P, Corbon 110-gr. DPX +P, Speer 135-gr. Gold Dot +P, and Hornady 110-gr. Critical Defense.

It becomes pretty obvious that either longer barrels or pressure barrels were used when Hornady got their data.

In super-saturated newsprint, average penetration (also based on ten shots with 5 of each caliber fired through 4 layers of an old cotton/polyester towel) was 6.75" for the .380, which probably translates to just over 10" penetration in calibrated 10% ballistic gelatin. This is as good as I've seen for an expanding bullet in this caliber. Most do about 7.5 to 8" in gelatin, it seems.

The .38's were fired following the same protocol and achieved an average velocity of 856 ft/sec with penetration in the soaked newsprint averaging 7.6" or probably about 11.4" in ballistic gelatin.

I was amazed at the extreme consistency not only the expansion's reliability but the small differences in speed, shot to shot for each caliber. I could not differentiate between the expanded bullets fired through the towel and those that were not.

Both the .380 ACP and .38 Special Critical Defense loads proved exceptionally consistent. Average expanded diameter for the .380 was approximately 47-caliber and 48-caliber for the .38 Special load.

In my admittedly limited experience with this new ammunition, it appears to work and work very well.

For those interested in a more detailed report, it can be found here:

http://hipowers-handguns.blogspot.com/2008/12/informal-...ritical-defense.html

Best.

 

[OKFC05]

Thanks for confirming my suspicion that the advertised velocity of the Hornady .38 was taken from a long barrel.
About 856 fps with a 110gr bullet does not make me want to give up my 135gr Gold Dots at 870fps in my 442.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I agree. However, for folks not interested in using +P in snubs not rated for such, it might be of some interest.

Best to you and yours.

 

[elcruisr]

Thanks for the test report. How was the percieved recoil compared to the other rounds? Just curious.

Have you ever tried testing the .38 +P 125 loads from Double Tap? I tested a box and was pretty impressed.

 

[APS]

Thanks for performing that test Stephen. When I saw the velocity of the .38 round I figured they chronoed it out of a Marlin lever action! You know...since that's the .38 most people would be using to protect themself

.

It looks like this may be the best performing standard pressure .38 yet from the standpoint of expansion/penetration. Certainly better than the Federal Personal Defense load. I checked the price at Midway and it's ~$20/25 rounds which is more cost effective.
adam

 

[flop-shank]

Stephen, first of all, thanks for sharing.

That was a fun read and very informative. I'm guessing my Hornady .380s are due to show up today, or tomorrow, so it looks like you beat me to the punch by getting a test posted here.

I've gotten much better than 10" penetration from both Speer .380 Gold Dots and Fiocci Extrema .380 ammo in bare and four layer denim/Perma-Gel when I tested those loads. But neither load has given me reliable expansion. I'm hoping Hornady comes through with this new load. Bringing to market a consistent expander and good penetrator in .380 is no small feat IMO.

Based on your results, and mine with Federal Nyclad, I'll bet my money on the Hornady load in std. pressure .38. Also, I've found Corbon 110 gr. JHPs to be top notch performers, based on my tests (to be found in this forum with a search along with the aforementioned .380 results), in the +P category, although they do have more recoil and muzzle blast than Speed SB and DPX, which seem about equal in those areas.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks to all for the kind words.

flop-shank: I look forward to your perma-gel shooting with this ammunition to see how closely it does or does not match what I got with the super-saturated newsprint.

elcruisr: Felt-recoil was similar not remarkable with the .380, ie: it felt like when shooting about any other 380 load.

For the .38 revolver, it was "sharp" but not "bad". It is less than my usual carry load, Remington 158-gr. LHP +P.

Best.

 

[anchors]

That sounds really good,but isn't the 110gr bullet a little on the light side?
Any opinions from the more knowledgable on this Forum.

 

[flop-shank]

I used to think so, but shooting Perma-gel has made me question that. My only lingering concern is how well those light bullets work against heavy bone. Based on your experience, what do you think, Erich?

 

[Spotteddog]

It would be for me personally Anchors?
But considering Mr. Camp's expansion rates obtained, even at below advertised velocities and after going through that much fabric, are pretty impressive. There are some folks as Mr. C mentioned, that don't have +P rated guns, or that are recoil sensitive that might find a reliably expanding bullet comforting?
Thank You once again, for being generous with you testing results Mr. C!

 

[anchors]

I'm definately going to try some.I shot the Buffalo Bore 158gr HP Non +P and the recoil was a little heavy,especially from my Colt Agent,so these might just be the ticket.

Question: Other than the filled HP,what's the difference between the Hornady and the Win 110 ST's and Fed 110 Hydra shock?

 

[flop-shank]

Probably everything except the weight and the fact that all three have a jacket. They are different bullets, make by different companies and designed by different people. Each one is a different animal.

 

[scout]

Thank you for your fine reports, Mr. Camp.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Mr. Camp, I want to add my thanks to the chorus for your diligent work in bringing some unbiased testing to ammunition.

I am glad to see again that Hornady does not make claims that it can't back up.

I am sure you are aware that the new Critical Defense loads are also available in 38 Special +P (again with a 110 grain bullet). Perhaps a test of that one is in order as soon as you can find them.

It would be great if Hornady continues to expand this bullet's offerings into other calibers and more offerings in some of the already offered ones.

I can see a 147 grain 9x19 FTX and a 158 grain 38 Special +P FTX loads as VERY attractive for those of us who like heavy for caliber loads.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks very much. Glad it was of service.

Best.

 

[flop-shank]

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:
I can see a 147 grain 9x19 FTX and a 158 grain 38 Special +P FTX loads as VERY attractive for those of us who like heavy for caliber loads.

That's good thinking Wyatt! If this bullet gains my confidence, I would even get excited about a 147 gr. 9mm, perhaps even from short barrels.

 

[COULT D]

Those who are Retired Law Enforcement carrying in New Jersey. This might be a nice option to get around silly regulations of "no" hollow points.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by COULT D:
Those who are Retired Law Enforcement carrying in New Jersey. This might be a nice option to get around silly regulations of "no" hollow points.

The same thought occured to me.

 

[flop-shank]

I have just posted my .380 FTX test results in my Perma-Gel thread.