.380 JHP availability?

[digdug74]

Does anyone know a good place to get decent .380 JHPs at? I'm looking specifically for Speer Golddots, Winchester Rangers, or Federal Hydrashocks but I can't find squat anywhere -- not locally nor online. I recently bought a Ruger LCP and would like to start carrying it but I just don't feel comfortable running FMJs in there. I knew .380 was scarce but this is really ridiculous...

[G21Shooter]

Here you go Gold Dot 380 in stock. Its what I carry.

http://www.bulkammo.com/bulk-380-acp-ammo-380auto90jhpspeergolddot-20

[stix213]

Just bought some Federal Hydrashock .380 JHP's at Wal-Mart on friday. They had a big stack of them that day in Rohnert Park.

[Ross]

Wally World. Typically the last stuff to leave the building.

[digdug74]

Here you go Gold Dot 380 in stock. Its what I carry.

http://www.bulkammo.com/bulk-380-acp...peergolddot-20

Excellent, Thanks!

Not sure why my Google or Ammoseek searches didn't turn up that site but it's bookmarked now.

[Zartan]

Thats all my Walmart has is .380 Hydrashoks

[bballwizard05]

By the way, I carry the 90 grain hornady JHP because of some research I did. The expansion in ballistic jell was impressive. I can't say it is any better or worse than the other brands mentioned, but I do feel safe behind it.

[SouperMan]

For our .380 needs, my wife and I use Corbon Pow'RBall. Good ballistics and the original intention was trying to find Pow'RBall in 9mm for a older SIG P6 that pre-dated the improved feeding ramps that accomodate JHPs better.

[c3 rolling]

30 bucks isn't too bad considering the current market. I carry Speer FMJ ball ammo. I'm no ballistics expert but FMJ seems to be the best bet for self defense because of the deeper penetration and ability to penetrate thick clothing + fat people. LAPD also recently swapped all their Hornady critical defense JHP to Speer FMJ on their backup gun LCP's and Bodyguard 380's. I'm not sure the reasoning behind it but I'm sure it was a good one. It wouldn't be because of finances because all .380 ammo has to be purchased by the officers and is not issued by the city. Must have been really important because it would have cost the LAPD a ton of money to swap all that ammo. I just dont think .380 ammo is hot enough to be effective as a JHP. Sorry to go off topic lol.

[H K corporate assassin]

I have only found practice ammo in stores.

[digdug74]

30 bucks isn't too bad considering the current market. I carry Speer FMJ ball ammo. I'm no ballistics expert but FMJ seems to be the best bet for self defense because of the deeper penetration and ability to penetrate thick clothing + fat people. LAPD also recently swapped all their Hornady critical defense JHP to Speer FMJ on their backup gun LCP's and Bodyguard 380's. I'm not sure the reasoning behind it but I'm sure it was a good one. It wouldn't be because of finances because all .380 ammo has to be purchased by the officers and is not issued by the city. Must have been really important because it would have cost the LAPD a ton of money to swap all that ammo. I just dont think .380 ammo is hot enough to be effective as a JHP. Sorry to go off topic lol.

[c3 rolling]

Yeah, I almost ordered only 1 box when I saw the price tag plus shipping (30 bucks for the rounds plus 14 for shipping) but then figured I could probably get 3 boxes for the same shipping price which I did. Not great, but not bad considering the current climate.

I’m still not really sure what to think about the .380 as a defensive caliber whether it be FMJ or a good JHP. I’ve usually considered a standard or +P JHP 9mm (115 or 124 grain) to be the bare minimum for defensive purposes but the heat out here just seems to dictate a smaller gun & caliber for CCW.

I’ve liked what I’ve seen thus far in gel test with the Speer Golddots in .380. They seem to expand reliably while getting half-way decent penetration for the caliber….

Sometimes these shipping prices are gouged worse then ammo. I completely understand how your feeling regarding the .380 round. It's sooo much more comfortable/concealable to pocket carry an LCP with 2 extra mags on a belt holster for me than to carry a compact 9mm. Although it's not close to 9mm in ballistics, I feel confident with 22 rounds of 380 acp carried in absolute comfort all day.

[desertexplore]

I bought some PMC Starfire JHP. They looked good to me and I've been happy with PMC.

[SILENT GUNMAN]

Just remember people. You're taking the .380 because of shorts/tank top weather. Its warm outside. Chances are the bad guy will also be wearing very light clothes. Heavy clothing penetration isn't really something I would be concerned about this time of year. If its cold enough for the BG to wear heavy clothes its cold enough for you to also which means carry the bigger gun.

[bballwizard05]

The concern of JHP 380 penetration is a valid one. I could only find one of the places where I originally read about the different 380 options (where I basically determined that there isn't a noticeable difference) at least not for me. Also, I'm not positive about the credentials of the people who wrote the results (it is the internet after all), but they took a scientific approach so at least they are comparable.

http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/defensive-ammunition-ballistics/126664-380-ammo-tested.html

and this is further info in regards to why I bought the hornady, they even tested it using the same gun I have. I found the information to be acceptable (here is to hoping I never have to fire any of these JHP rounds, save for a few to ensure they cycle in my weapon)


EDIT: here is the other link that better explains Hornady's unique shape, and filler that allows greater expansion.

http://hipowers-handguns.blogspot.com/2008/12/informal-tests-hornady-critical-defense.html