Need some .380, hollow point ammo..,

[Tin]

Just aquired a Walther 380, PPK and needing some hollow point ammo that will feed with no problems.. Can any one suggest a viable brand...?? Thanks for any available info......,TIN..,

 

[Florida J Frame]

You need to try your particular gun. The PPK can be a bit ammo fussy. I wouldn't trust it for carry until it's fired at least 200 trouble free rounds. I've had good luck with most guns feeding Hornady Critical Defense. YMMV.

 

[30-30remchester]

I have had good luck with excellent expansion with both Remington Golden Sabre's and Cor-Bon's solid copper hollow points. I carry a Ruger LCP and often test ammo in recently killed deer and elk. After shooting them, within minutes I test different handgun bullets, shooting into the chest cavity, very similar to real life situations. I have posted photo's of recovered bullets and details in past threads on this forum if you care to see them, check the archives.

 

[wittmeba]

Nothing specific - what do you plan to use it for - Target? Self Defense - Hollow point? Reason is qty and price. There are lots of bulk .380 ammo and some good SD ammo too but it is significantly different in price.

In Stock 380ACP Ammo Deals | Slickguns

 

[Steve C]

My old PPK/s isn't ammo sensitive and will function with any of the various HP ammo I've used over the years. I generally keep it loaded with Federal Hydra-shoks. New guns may be a little stiff in the springs so try out what you will load to make sure they work.

 

[colt_saa]

They will all be a little different

Mine loves the Hornady Custom XTP-HPs.

 

[poordevil]

Buffalo Bore has Barns brand bullets of 85 or 90 gr at 1250 fps. That should be an attention getter!

 

[Doug M.]

Most of the time, the best choice in a .380 is a quality ball load, because otherwise you are not likely to have adequate penetration. If you are sure about getting HPs, there is only load authorized by LAPD now that they allow .380s for OD/BUG use. I can't recall it, but if you get that, you will be as good as it is going to get assuming that it feeds reliably.

 

[Tin]

Thank you to all who responded..Appreciate your input.......Happy easter to all ......TIN..

 

[shouldazagged]

Buffalo Bore has Barns brand bullets of 85 or 90 gr at 1250 fps. That should be an attention getter!

It could be an attention-getter on both ends.

 

[alwslate]

Another vote for FMJ. 380 HPs are awfully short and won't penetrate
very far if they do happen to expand. Reliable function, shot placement
and penetration are what is required with the lower powered cartridges.

 

[Steve C]

For a reasonable analysis of FMJ and JHP bullets with gel test.

.380 ACP ammo test: three types of Full Metal Jacket FMJ bullets in ClearBallistics gel. - YouTube

Ammo Quest .380 Final Wrapup: finding the BEST ammo for a .380ACP pistol - YouTube

 

[weyes1]

I would recommend Federal HST 99 gr. or the Sig V-Crown 90 gr.
Both rounds cycle flawlessly and have very good mushroom effects.

Here's the link for the Sig in a 50 rd box.
Sig Sauer Elite Performance Pistol Ammunition .380 ACP 90 gr Elite V-Crown JHP 980 fps 50/ct | Natchez

Here's the link for the Federal HST 99 gr.
Federal 380 Auto HST Tactical P380HST1 99 gr JHP 50 per box

Both places have decent prices.

Hope this helps.

 

[BC38]

Most of the time, the best choice in a .380 is a quality ball load, because otherwise you are not likely to have adequate penetration. If you are sure about getting HPs, there is only load authorized by LAPD now that they allow .380s for OD/BUG use. I can't recall it, but if you get that, you will be as good as it is going to get assuming that it feeds reliably.

This is generally the consensus. Rather than HPs which either won't expand, or if they do will have reduced penetration, maybe consider some heavy for caliber truncated cone. Something around 100gr with a flat nose at least half the diameter.

 

[BE Mike]

Not hollow point, but it is what my wife carries in her .380: 380 ACP 65 Grain Xtreme Defender – Underwood Ammo

 

[Cal44]

Are you all aware that you are responding to a six year old thread?

Anyway, much more recent tests (by Ammo Quest I believe) show loads with XTP work well both in penetration and expansion.

There are several manufacturers using that bullet.

 

[Univibe]

Not hollow point, but it is what my wife carries in her .380: 380 ACP 65 Grain Xtreme Defender – Underwood Ammo

These just make a bigger hole in your wallet. Throw 'em in the trash and get Federal or Winchester 95 grain ball.

 

[BE Mike]

These just make a bigger hole in your wallet. Throw 'em in the trash and get Federal or Winchester 95 grain ball.

Thanks for your expert and knowledgeable opinion!

 

[ralph7]

Are you all aware that you are responding to a six year old thread?

Not until I saw shouldazagged's response.
Kind of a slap to the face.

 

[Cal44]

Thanks for your expert and knowledgeable opinion!

Not trying to be sarcastic here. And it's great that these Xtreme Defenders work for your wife.

But has there been any cases of these bullets used in actual SD shootings?

Do you know if any PDs use these or recommend them (in service calibers)?

I have a Sheriffs deputy friend you carries them, but only off duty I think.

Kind of an interesting concept, but real world results would be nice to know about.