[down-range]

Looking for advice on 380 hollow point vs FMJ for SD. Tons of YT videos on ballistic tests but before I dig in and start reviewing I thought I would check with you all for opinions. From what I know from my research years ago one of the drawbacks on FMJ vs hollow point was greater muzzle flash on FMJ ammo than hollow point under low light, no light and temporary blindness for few seconds. I think I also recall reading somewhere that 380 hollow points don’t expand much unless hitting bone which increases penetration but not much expansion. Lastly my concern would be hollow point penetration through denim and leather. And then there is different types of ballistic gel, etc, etc. Don’t mind doing the research again but thought you all might weigh in. Thanks in advance.

 

[Pred8tory]

Check ShootingTheBull410 channel on YouTube. He did a comprehensive test of most 380 ammo out of short barrel pistols.

 

[Rocks]

I just go with ball ammo in my 380s. Mostly 100gr Sig ammo.

 

[warbow150]

380 is a tough one for both reliable penetration and expansion. Often you can have one or the other, occasionally both, but both consistently is more of a challenge. That being the case, always pick penetration over expansion. Hornady XTPs, Remington Golden Sabers, or Winchester JHP generally give good penetration and, sometimes, they expand. When they do expand they also tend to still penetrate enough to be worth while.

I dropped it as an option for me personally years ago. if I had to use one today it would either be FMJ or one of the above loads if I could get it.

 

[wyntrout]

Hornady Critical Defense... 90 grain with good expansion and some penetration. I switched to it because I got tired of the +P Underwood with 90-grain Speer Gold Dots in my tiny Kahr P-380... like .357 Magnum in a 2" snubbie. I couldn't get as close to the center of the target as I can with the standard pressure loads.

 

[Z71bill]

I have not purchased any .380 ammo in over a decade -

If I needed some I would look and see what is available - then pick a name brand like Federal, Speer Buffalo bore - underwood

Pick one that is in stock - loaded hot and at decent price -

Make sure it functions in your gun -

Call it good.

 

[ElrodCod]

I can't help you other than to say that hollow point bullet design has come a long way in recent years so keep researching.
The last .380 I had was a Colt Government Mk IV .380 many years ago. It was a nice pistol but the ammo cost twice as much as 9mm. It didn't stay in my collection very long because of that.

 

[knoxrocks222]

I carry federal flat nose 95gr in my LCP

 

[Gray Dood]

Ball ammo.

Or ball ammo.

Or you might even use ball ammo.

And of course, there's always ball ammo.

 

[SDGlock23]

I'm okay with FMJ in 380 if I have to, but JHP wise I'd go with Critical Defense, XTP, Gold Dot or V-Crown.

 

[n2g]

I carry Hornady XTP in mine, either the Hornady Custom or .380 American Gunner. There are other loadings using the XTP bullet, too, but I have the Hornady. As someone said, it's supposed to expand some but still penetrate enough to meet the established standards. ShootingtheBull or Ammoquest did dozens of tests, and he used a tiny pocket-sized pistol, not one with a longer barrel.

The old Hydra-Shoks did well, too, in .380.

There are also separate videos on each brand.

I'm no expert but his tests seemed thorough to me. He shot five rounds of each through bare gel and another five through denim. He used standard pressure rounds as there is no standard in .380 for +P, and most truly pocket sized pistols approve only standard pressure.

After he did his wrap-up, he later tested some newer rounds and liked them at first, but I think in the end he went back to his top choices as shown in this video, after people experienced some problems with the boutique rounds. You might find this helpful or at least interesting. .380 seems to be a tricky caliber for getting both adequate expansion and penetration. Some of the results were surprising to me.

This wrap-up has been posted in other threads but here it is again for anyone interested:

 

[pAZ Ron]

I have not purchased any .380 ammo in over a decade -

If I needed some I would look and see what is available - then pick a name brand like Federal, Speer Buffalo bore - underwood

Pick one that is in stock - loaded hot and at decent price -

Make sure it functions in your gun -

Call it good.

So you've researched the gel tests and some of the underperformance of the big brand JHP's in .380 Auto? Of course you have!

This stock advice you gave doesn't always work so well in .380 ACP. I can't understand recommendations to "just pick a name brand" when there is plenty of testing out there to say many of their JHP ammo don't perform in .380. But yes, it does have to do both, perform and be reliable too.

Personally, I use one of the ammo using the XTP bullet when I carry my P380.

 

[treg]

I used to believe in FP in the .380, then tested some Fiochi loads with 90 gr XTP's in my LCPc.
At 21 feet they passed thru three water filled milk jugs and penetrated but would not exit a fourth with perfect expansion.
Hardly a GT worthy experiment nor scientific, but it convinced me that the .380 is a viable round and deserved HP's.

 

[Lola1]

I dont’t often carry a .380, but when i do i load with rem golden sabers, 102 gr. Why? First,
i bought a case pre pandemic and next its one of the heaviest .380 rds. It ought to penetrate and might even expand.
EDITED. I added this from 11 years ago. Rem may have replaced this rd with a belted rd Intended to keep the projectile together.

 

[pAZ Ron]

I dont’t often carry a .380, but when i do i load with rem golden sabers, 102 gr. Why? First,
i bought a case pre pandemic and next its one of the heaviest .380 rds. It ought to penetrate and might even expand.

I use Rem Golden Sabers in 9 mm & .40.

But all you have to do is a simple search under Rem Gold Sabers .380 Auto to see the test results. Indicates these don't open up & over penetrate in .380. I am not good at copying & pasting a link from my phone or I'd link here.​

 

[down-range]

Update: I just ran across an article on the new (for 2020) Federal 380 ACP Hydra-Shok Deep. Apparently the FBI adopted this for their 380 backup guns.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | New for 2020: Federal Hydra-Shok Deep in .380 ACP

Federal has introduced a .380 ACP load to its Hydra-Shok Deep lineup, the first cartridge for the chambering to consistently meet FBI protocol recommendations for penetration—12 inches minimum—through bare gel and through heavy clothing.

www.shootingillustrated.com

Here is another article. Ammo review: Federal’s .380 ACP and .38 Special Hydra-Shok Deep

 

[Borg Warner]

 

[G2670Boss30A]

I carry Critical Defense in an LCP and G42. Not sure 380 is the best but better than nothing.

 

[bubbatime]

I have a ballistics background.

Shooting the bull channel mentioned above is the definition of hot garbage data going in = hot garbage data coming out. Completely DISREGARD ANY “info” from this worthless channel.

Generaly speaking, without typing for an hour, Speer Gold Dot, Hornady Critical Defense, and the new Federal Deep are going to be top performers in .380 hollow point.

A hot .380 FMJ (like Italian Fiochi) is also perfectly acceptable and it punches above its weight due to tumbling. Some agencies only approve FMJ ammo in .380 as it has acceptable performance.

The shaped ammo with flutes (lehigh extreme defender , extreme penetrator) are also excellent if they are reliable in your gun.

 

[pAZ Ron]

I have a ballistics background.

Shooting the bull channel mentioned above is the definition of hot garbage data going in = hot garbage data coming out. Completely DISREGARD ANY “info” from this worthless channel.

Generaly speaking, without typing for an hour, Speer Gold Dot, Hornady Critical Defense, and the new Federal Deep are going to be top performers in .380 hollow point.

A hot .380 FMJ (like Italian Fiochi) is also perfectly acceptable and it punches above its weight due to tumbling. Some agencies only approve FMJ ammo in .380 as it has acceptable performance.

So please quote or link to the tests you rely on that are better and compares as many ammos.