.380 ammo - FMJ or HP?

[chaled]

Full metal Jacket or Hollowpoint for .380?

As a back-up defense pistol would you prefer penetration or expansion?

Should your back up and primary sidearm match? (not caliber, in terms of HP or FMJ)

Yes i understand shot placement is everything.

I'd just like to see some opinons.

Thanks

[ZombieTactics]

I'll make the assumption that you will be shooting from something like a "pocket 380" (Kel-Tec P3AT, KahrP380, Ruger LCP, etc.) as they seem to be quite popular these days. I am basing my opinion upon that assumption. If you are using a longer-barreled gun, then I may have a different opinion.

The testing data I have seen leads me to believe that JHP rounds fired from the smaller .380 guns will not expand sufficiently to confer an advantage over FMJ rounds. Further, it seems that the JHP rounds are more prone to under-penetration in these cases.

As such, I'd choose the hottest FMJ .380 rounds that the pistol is designed to shoot ... after shot placement, penetration takes precedence over expansion, IMHO.

My primary is either a 9mm or .40S&W fired from a gun with a standard-sized barrel. I've chosen JHP rounds in this case, and specifically rounds which have shown reliable expansion to a significant degree. I prefer Federal HST.

[Bug Splat]

I've been keeping FMJ in my Bersa. I am a bit concerned with the potential lack of penetration in the smaller JHP 380's. My 380 is carried as a house gun. Its light and small enough for me to pack, even in my PJ's. If I ever had to use it, it would be a very close range fight and I doubt an intruder would want to stick around and fight when the home owners is shooting back with any thing that goes bang. A small pistol is enough to fight my way to the big toys in my office. I'm confident in my shooting abilities to dump the entire mag in 2 seconds center chest at 10 feet.

[RedFord150]

I'll make the assumption that you will be shooting from something like a "pocket 380" (Kel-Tec P3AT, KahrP380, Ruger LCP, etc.) as they seem to be quite popular these days. I am basing my opinion upon that assumption. If you are using a longer-barreled gun, then I may have a different opinion...

What barrel length would you consider to be long enough to make JHP's worth using?
I have read that the Cor-Bon DPX is the best choice for .380. They are 90 grain JHP. I keep a box of these in the house, as well as several boxes of FMJ. I have a 3.5" barrel on my Bersa Thunder.
Thank you for your insights.

[rgs1975]

I use Buffalo Bore 100 grain +P flat nose hard cast lead for defense purposes in my Sig P230.

[ZombieTactics]

From what I have read, there is enough difference between a 2.75" barrel (ala LCP, P380, P3AT) and 3.5" or more (like PPK or Bersa)

With a Bersa, I think you are at the point where some especially well designed rounds might offer improved expansion while maintaining sufficient penetration. I don't know enough specifics, but it seems - from reputation - that you are barking up the right tree with Cor-Bon.

I have a Bersa myself, and have it loaded with Federal "90 gr Hydra-Shok Premium Personal Defense" rounds. I have those loaded because they seemed to be the best thing available at the time, and not necessarily because of data or testing.

[MAK422]

If you are looking for SD ammo for like the Kahr P380 then I would say Buffalo Bore JHP +P. That is what I just got and it feeds great and from what I have read from P380forum.com "With BB you coming darn close to duplciating the energy of a .38 Special +P out of short barrel wheel gun". So more power while still keeping a small pocket gun, thats a great setup. But I have a Bersa Thunder 380 and would not put that ammo in it, she would not handle it. I have PMC FMJ in my bersa because she loves that stuff. I have read alot of good info on Bersatalk.com about what people use and what SD ammo Bersa's like to eat.

[base64]

Currently have Cor-Bon DPX in my PPK/s, it is very accurate but I do feel like Buffalo Bore +P may be a better choice due to the fact that it delivers almost 30% more force if your gun can take it.

[for2nato]

always jhp. winchester makes their pdx1 round in .380 now too

[JTROKS]

I think I'm gonna try some Buffalo Bore stuff. I still have some HPs, but I rely mostly on FMJs. I have a Bernadelli and Colt Mustang.

[bsg]

i don't have my w german sig P230SL .380 in a defense role; if i did i would use winchester silvertip 85 gr hp for summer and a FMJ for winter use....

-Brady

[Gregchico]

I just learned a lot about this. You will need to test your chosen rounds in your gun to make sure they work as you expect. Just because the box says 1000fps and 220ft-lb of energy, doesn't mean that is what it will do in your gun.

I'm now of the opinion that 380acp (in the non-official +p cartridge form like the ones from Buffalo Bore) deliver more energy on target then a similar 38spl+p round out of a 2 inch barrel (jframe type gun).

I ordered some of the 380acp+p in HP to test for my pistol.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=297983

[MAK422]

I just learned a lot about this. You will need to test your chosen rounds in your gun to make sure they work as you expect. Just because the box says 1000fps and 220ft-lb of energy, doesn't mean that is what it will do in your gun.

I'm now of the opinion that 380acp (in the non-official +p cartridge form like the ones from Buffalo Bore) deliver more energy on target then a similar 38spl+p round out of a 2 inch barrel (jframe type gun).

I ordered some of the 380acp+p in HP to test for my pistol.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=297983

Let us know what you find out. When I shot my BB I didnt bring anything to shoot to test penetration, so if you try and test that would you let me know how it did? I just had some paper targets. I could feel the difference between PMC FMJ and the BB JHP +P but didnt test how much more power. I just went to test how they fed and they fed great.