Should I Switch Carry Ammo?

[kevinmcc2]

So recently I had a conversation with another conceal carry person that happens to carry the same caliber as me (.380). He was telling me that I need to switch over to the Liberty Civil Defense 50gr.

Currently I carry Federal Hyda-Shok 90gr.

Does anyone have any experience with the Liberty? His main argument was the Liberty has much high velocity, energy transfer and penetration since the lighter grain bullet.

 

[swsig]

So recently I had a conversation with another conceal carry person that happens to carry the same caliber as me (.380). He was telling me that I need to switch over to the Liberty Civil Defense 50gr.

Currently I carry Federal Hyda-Shok 90gr.

Does anyone have any experience with the Liberty? His main argument was the Liberty has much high velocity, energy transfer and penetration since the lighter grain bullet.

Read the following article from AR15.com. It provides a pretty comprehensive review of self-defense ammo:

Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo

Then check out the recent tests conducted by luckygunner.com. Scroll down for the .380 penetration and expansion results:

Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data

The inescapable conclusion is that you should NOT switch to Liberty. Stay with Hydra-Shok, or switch to Hornady FTX or XTP or Fiocchi XTP.

Better yet, if possible, switch to a 9mm.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use Hornady Critical Defense ammo in my .380 but you should use the ammo that is accurate and 100% reliable in your pistol. I would not want to use a very light bullet like that. High velocities are overrated, accurately the key.

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

No, you should not. Ultra-light rounds are always gimmicks that should be avoided. LuckyGunner's ClearBallistics synthetic gelatin test resulted in major under-penetration, five rounds resulting in 7.6-10.8 inches instead of 12-18 (FBI) or 13-16 (IWBA).

Before asking "What ammo should I use?" you should ask "What should ammo do, what shouldn't it do, and how is it tested?" I recommend the following:
Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness by the Firearms Training Unit of the FBI
Basic Wound Ballistic Terminal Performance Facts by Dr. Roberts (DocGKR)
Ordnance gelatin test assessment for rifle and pistol calibers by Dr. Roberts (DocGKR)
What's Wrong With The Wound Ballistics Literature And Why by Dr. Fackler

For specific recommendations I start here:
Service Caliber Handgun Duty and Self-Defense Ammo by Dr. Roberts (DocGKR)

Dr. Roberts doesn't have any .380 loads he recommends and the best testing I know of is from ShootingTheBull410. His best results were from the Hydra-Shok and XTP bullets.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgNSGOEQko_MjOCGyqlMTiM2njdQQRbdg

 

[66snub]

I would not trust my life to a 50 grain handgun round of any type. Even a standard weight 380 defensive round in the neighborhood of 85-90 grains is a small bullet. The Hydra-Shock is a fine round and I wouldn't switch out unless you are climbing up, not down, the ladder. I like the Gold Dots and Critical Defense for my 380's. They cycle well and I am satisfied with their accuracy. And don't forget, your dealer probably has a vested interest in you switching to this other round as well, if it's a round that he has on the shelf...

 

[Old cop]

I found the 90 grain HPR feeds well in my M&P .380 and penetrates to a minimum of 12" consistently in tests. It's similar to the Federal Hydra Shock but comes in a 50 round box.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Currently I carry Federal Hyda-Shok 90gr.

Your current choice is good. This is from ShootingTheBull410's testing:

 

[johnnyflake]

As many have already said, I would not recommend switching to the Liberty 50gn Bullet. yes, small, light bullets can do tremendous damage, but only at extremely high speeds, 2000 fps and higher. That does not happen with a .380.

I carry a .380 24/7. Just about any of the 90gn plus bullets, in .380 will work, shot placement is the key!

I have done a few test myself and without going into a lot of detail, I have settled on the Buffalo Bore 100gn Solid Cast Bullet round, as my carry round. It is obvious to me that it hits harder than any of the others I have tested and I tested a lot. It definitely penetrates deeper, in all the medias, I have used, than any other .380 round. Penetration, with a .380 round is extremely important.

Test a few different rounds, see what your gun likes best, and also, what you shoot best. You can make a choice when you know those two specifics.

 

[caleb4387]

No. Weight is your friend

 

[caleb4387]

Try federal hst

 

[BE Mike]

Just buy a box of Underwood ammo with the Lehigh bullet. Problem solved!

 

[bigwheelzip]

Try federal hst

Had not heard of .380 HST before you mentioned it. In 9mm, it's my favorite, so I looked for some info, and sure enough ShootingTheBull410 has tested it. It did not do well.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhByLwyvGpA[/ame]

 

[OKFC05]

In general, "trick" ammo with light bullets and small shot work well only in their specified conditions, which usually translates to naked people at close range. I'd stick to standard size bullets of quality design.

I used to carry .380 until too many barn raiding critters just ran off when shot, like often happens with a .22 body shot. A warm load with 158gr .38 semiwadcutter is a better critter stopper.

 

[Florida J Frame]

ShootingtheBull got the best .380 results with the rounds loaded with the Hornady 90gr XTP. I had problems with the HPR brand in both an LCP and a G42. They recommend the +P version in the Glock on their website. I have found the Freedom Munitions version of this round (new) to run in the G42 without a problem and it is rated at 1005 FPS which puts it with all the name brands. Usually around $15 a box which means I can afford to practice with my carry round.

Correction: Sorry, it was Precision One ammo that recommends using their 380 +P in the Glock not HPR and an update today, HPR contacted me and said they are sending a box of their newly formulated .380 XTP to see if it corrects the failure to extract issue I experienced. I'll post a range report after I have a chance to try it.

 

[GRU_ 7_ mech]

Any of the negative comments on the 50gr 380 ammo.....I am 100% in agreement with them!! Although there are many brands and types of very good 380 ammo, I also go with the Hornady Critical Defense or XTP as my choice. The rubber insert of the Critical Defense does hang up in a few 380 pistols...will not say ALL but many TCP738 and Bersa 380 Thunders are known to encounter this problem. Polish the feed ramp to a mirror finish (and keep it that way) and constant use of that type of ammo to "train the gun" has worked for me on both guns.

 

[kevinmcc2]

Awesome, thanks for the help and links everyone! I will continue to carry my Hyda's.

 

[Deepfork]

The "ShootingTheBull" testing of SD ammo in the .380 came up with the Precision One 90 grain as the #1 SD ammo based on gel test. That is what I currently carry in my BDG.

 

[Muss Muggins]

So recently I had a conversation with another conceal carry person that happens to carry the same caliber as me (.380). He was telling me that I need to switch over to the Liberty Civil Defense 50gr.

Currently I carry Federal Hyda-Shok 90gr.

Does anyone have any experience with the Liberty? His main argument was the Liberty has much high velocity, energy transfer and penetration since the lighter grain bullet.

Concentrate on putting two or three in the ten ring, and it doesn't matter what's coming out the muzzle . . .

 

[Arik]

I would first YouTube the brands to see gel tests. Yea I know it's not the same as flash but it's the closest thing to actually shooting living things.

 

[JJEH]

Weight and velocity is what I look for in a SD round.

I use BBA 24I as well as 24F for example. Both are 147gr. bullets @ ~1000-1100 FPS.