[Irv S]

I just read the thread on .25 ACP for defense and the consensus seem to be that not only are the .25 and .22 inadequate, but that the .380 is also inadequate. Which bullets (possibly in reloads) would improve the .380 as a small defense round? Solid vs Hollow-point? Lighter vs Heavier? It would seem heavy solids would give more penetration and lighter hollow-points would produce larger, but shallower holes.

 

[ironhead7544]

Buffalo Bore has some good ammo for 380. I like the cast flatpoint. Federal Hydra Shok has a good rep.

 

[Roadking Rider]

I always liked the Hornady FTX Hollow points. They've always fed well in my KTp3at and my Bersa thunder.380. I never did allot of experimenting with other rounds though because of the price of them,so I stuck with a round that works well in both pistols. Being that the Bersa has been traded I might try a different round now that I only have the P3at in the .380 caliber. SD rounds I only keep for about a year so I don't stock pile them.

 

[cruiser1]

i use a 102 remmington golden sabre hp with 2.6 gns of bullseye to push
it- i could not find any ballistic info on that load -but it runs well in my
beretta cheatah .380

 

[Water-Man]

I carry Buffalo Bore 100gr.+P Hardcast FN.

 

[leverite]

"adequate" and "inadequate" are subjective terms. In a gun fight almost any handgun can be inadequate to stopping a fatal assault upon you. It's all relative.

Since most of us don't want to pack a Remington 870 loaded with double ought buck or slugs, we chose a handgun.

I've been recently persuaded that hard cast, FN's are the best way to go w/ the 380 due to the possibility of poor penetration with expanding bullets. So I now carry the Buffalo Bore in my Kel Tecs. I have lots of various hollow points in my 380 ammo can from Core-Bon, Hornady, etc. that I thought were the best available at the time I bought them.

Fortunately, I've never had to put any of this theory to the test.

 

[30-30remchester]

While I dislike the gun I carry (RUGER LCP), I carry it because of its light weight and small size. I use both in my gun. First round is a solid copper hollowpoint from Cor-Bon call a DPX, with a reputation for violent expansion and @8"of penatration. The next round is a Buffalo Bore 95 grain flatnose fmj with a reputation of 20" of penatration in muscle. I load then altenately thus 3 rounds of each per magazine.

 

[leverite]

While I dislike the gun I carry (RUGER LCP), I carry it because of its light weight and small size. I use both in my gun. First round is a solid copper hollowpoint from Cor-Bon call a DPX, with a reputation for violent expansion and @8"of penatration. The next round is a Buffalo Bore 95 grain flatnose fmj with a reputation of 20" of penatration in muscle. I load then altenately thus 3 rounds of each per magazine.

Now that's a good idea!

 

[ribbonstone2]

Usually can find a factory load I like in any given caliber...but the .380 kind of stumped me. I tend to shoot stuff (like wet news print, old spoiled hams, balistic gel, junk car doors, etc.) to help form an opinion. Most of the light weights did expand in soft media, but limited penetration. Like the Rem. Golden Saber as a factory load.

But for years before this, would cast the little Lee 105gr. SWC and launch them with a max. load (and that load is probably way over the top for most of today's manuals, so am going to let the charge weight stay un-typed, but it worked for me for years). Liked the way it "chopped" though things leaving a nice full diameter hole.

 

[Ko Improbable]

Yeah, the worry with .380 ACP is people fear a lack of penetration, so I recommend *flat-point* FMJ or hard-cast. Winchester makes some truncated cone FMJ that's cheap. Buffalo Bore makes what has to be the most vicious .380 ACP hard cast flat point round on the market, in both standard and +P pressures. Note, however, I don't think many/any of those tiny autos will stand up to the +Ps.

 

[oloutlaw]

over the counter, Corbon ammunition is about as good as you can get... plus, it's supposed to be loaded with powder that has less flash at night, to preserve some of your precious night vision

A guy by the name of Joe Zambone used to make some fine ammunition, "MagSafe" ... but he's gone now, don't know if his ammo is still around, but it worked.

those interested can read about him and his ammo here : http://www.thegunzone.com/people/zambone.html

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I carry a KelTec .380. I carry the 102 grain Golden Sabres. A tad more punch than a 90 grain bullet, and is a reliable bullet. That bullet may be the best marraige between recoil and bullet weight in the .380.
Ohio Rusty ><>

 

[Cheezywan]

I've never spent much time with the 380 (or any of the small auto-loader cartridges).

Wonder if a blackpowder load with bird-shot would have any value for defence of self?
Blast,flame,pain,and surprize can work for some self defence sceniros. Must cycle the action of course. Gain time to get away and call the police?

Is better than dead waiting for the ambulance!

I still prefer a 38 special or more for "save my life" work. I'm thinking about it though.

Cheezywan

 

[Ole1830]

90 grain Gold dots here.

First mag is factory loads, second mag is 3.3 grains of bullseye with a 90 grain GDHP bullet.

I guess you could call it "inadequate", but it's better than leaving your gun at home.

 

[unclepaddy]

Do like Illya Kuryakin and rub some curare on the tips. That ought to work.

 

[au2183]

I have a Ruger LCP with a laser, and it works better than a fly swatter or nothing at all. I like Cor-Bon, Hornady, and Buffalo Bore and have all on hand. I like the idea of mixing them up! I need to try that. First thing though is to check them all for POI to make sure they're close.
The 380 makes a good backup gun IMO. I also have a M&P 9mm and a Kimber 45 in autos, and a S&W model 36 in 38 that all work well as primary carry guns, although the Kimber is a little challenging to conceal, like all full size 1911's.

 

[2Bits]

Now here is some fat to chew on for this thread, last summer we tested several brands of so called "Self - Defense" ammo and the only brand that we had problems wilth was the HORNADY Critical Defense Ammo. It simply would NOT go BANG, Bang, Bang. It has taken Hornady a year to respond to the problem and they did finally send us some .380-auto and 9mm cal ammo to replace the none working Hornady ammo. Cor - Bon is very good ammo and so is the Pow -R- Ball ammo, very fast.

The little .380 - auto is like putting a lightweight fighter in the ring with a light heavyweight the way I see things. The tests we ran just do not justify even carrying such a caliber. Some say it is better than a fly swatter but I would never believe so. Small calibers in time of need can have you placing second place in a gun fight and that is not were I want to be logged in at gents.

 

[Scout26]

Barring all the "ney-sayers" on the .380 round, I carry a .380 with Winchester PDX1's (95gr). Handle well in both my LCP and Sig P232. If we could all afford to wear bulky clothes to conceal a .45 everyday we'd be in good shape...

 

[jwp475]

380 is a toy for fun and games not for life an death confrontations IMHO

 

[Cheezywan]

Will admit that I concider the 380 (and all smaller rounds) to be kinda whimpy.

Also admit to being a whimp! I don't care to get shot with a bb gun.

"If" a bg was to threaten me with one, I'd concider it a real threat to my life.
May or may Not survive a hit from that.

Same "rules" apply for the bg. May or may not survive?

"gotta think about that" from both sides.

Cheezywan