Best SD .380 ammo?

[xxxx]

I am gonna pick up a .380 pretty soon, what is the best self defense ammo?

[GunDog]

Buffalo Bore

If I were to carry a .380 auto this is what I'd feed it.

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=129

[ZombieTactics]

+1 for Buffalo Bore. It's the most 'serious' .380 round out there, IMHO. I carry that in my Bersa ... a bit stiff on the recoil, but manageable.

[rgs1975]

I use the Buffalo Bore 100 grain +P hard cast lead flat points in my Sig P230.

[Bug Splat]

+3 for Buffalo Bore. All reviews point to it being the best 380 SD ammo.

[Gregchico]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=300767

[xxxx]

Pretty pricey stuff, I wonder how much more felt recoil there is with that ammo. Anyone else care to chime in with their self defense .380 choice?

Edit: sorry, did quick reply without refreshing first. Never mind.

[BigDogatPlay]

I use Federal Hydra-Shock 90 grain. A bit of flash out of my Sig P230, but very accurate, feeds 100% reliably and in the limited expansion testing I've done seems like it would hit pretty hard for it's weight and size. I'm going to soon be picking up some Hornady Critical Defense for function testing as I'm impressed so far with CD in .38 +P in a short barreled Model 19. The CD .380 load is said to be pretty good.

Buffalo Bore ammo tends to be pretty warm and with plenty of recoil. I really like their heavy bullets in .357 Mag out of my Marlin carbine. Buffalo Bore definitely has a following, but to me their methodology is more geared toward hunting ammo, which none of us would ever use a .380 for.

[Old4eyes]

Check out this PDF at brassfetcher.com

http://www.brassfetcher.com/380ACP%20ammunition%20performance%20in%20ballistic%20gelatin.pdf

There is a school of thought that the .380 could be considered underpowered and that sticking to FMJ to gain penetration should be used over hollow point's expansion. The gelatin tests in the linked PDF do bear out the significant difference in penetration between those styles of ammo.

For SD penetration, it would appear that the Federal Hydrashok and Hornady XTP were the leaders in this testing. Note that the Hornady was tested only on bare gelatin where the Hydrashok was tested against bare gelatin and then again with summer clothing & bare gelatin.

Just remember, you have to choose what will be reliable in your pistol. If brand-x has the biggest hole/deepest penetration but jams in your gun, it's worthless.

[Trapper]

My Ruger LCP is loaded with the 80gr Corbon DPX. Accuracy and reliability are good in my pistol and recoil is less than Buffalo Bore. Online reviews show excellent expansion, penetration in balistics gell in the 9"-11" range, velocity is advertised as 1050fps with 196ft/lb of energy. I have yet to cronograph this round in my LCP and can't report actual velocity.

[robert101]

I've loaded my Browing DBA .380 (13 round mag) with Federal FMJ (round nose) bullets from day one when purchased new around 1980. I don't worry about expansion and in this gun was always concerned about feeding and adequate penetration.

The link "oldeyes" provided documents what I believed for many years. In this caliber penetration by bullet non-deformation is important. If I can get that +10" of penetration with my .380 in this small package, I'm good. Oh and, I do run HP's in my 10MM, 45 ACP and other magnum revolver guns.

[bsg]

i have federal hydra shock and winchester silvertip for my w german sig P230.

[MAK422]

I use Buffalo Bore JHP +P in my Kahr P380

[brianinca]

>>>
In this caliber penetration by bullet non-deformation is important.
>>>

Yep, I just use WWB FMJ, I carried the Hornady XTP's for a long while with the notion that the XTP design is less expandy, and it was "premium" ammo. 380 ACP is so marginal I wanted to have every advantage I could get.

BUT - I had a hang up while practicing (after >700 rds total) with the XTP. I figured if I wanted max penetration why not just go with FMJ which has been totally reliable in practice? The truncated cone bullet in the Winchester load is a plus.

I shoot this pistol (AMT Backup II) far more than I carry it but I want to hear a bang when I pull the trigger. >400 rds since switching over, no problems.

Regards,
Brian in CA