The only 380 bullets that meet FBI standards are Hornady XTPs and those are temporarily out of production. Federal Hydroshocks meet standards most of the time. Gold Dots are a distant third.

Golden Saber bullets are not any good in .380. Not many bullets are. They do not expand reliably.

 

The only 380 bullets that meet FBI standards are Hornady XTPs and those are temporarily out of production. Federal Hydroshocks meet standards most of the time. Gold Dots are a distant third.

Golden Saber bullets are not any good in .380. Not many bullets are.

Speer Gold Dots do all that I want a 380 round to do, not sure that the FBI standards were ever intended to apply to the little 380.

 

Speer Gold Dots do all that I want a 380 round to do, not sure that the FBI standards were ever intended to apply to the little 380.

I would rather use a .380 round that does meet FBI standards by penetrating over 12 inches of ballistics gel with expansion after going through 4 layers of denim. Therei are a couple out there.

 

It might do okay from a G42 since it has a little more bbl to work with. From the typical Elsiepea type guns, it lacks the velocity. It probably won't expand, but being decent weight helps.

 

The HPJ/GS .380 has something going for it that many other .380 defensive loads don't have, which is a little bit heavier bullet weight.

I had one box of it that gave an ejection pattern that was a little bit more toward my head, while another more recent box didn't seem any noticeably different than the Speer GDHP, Win T-Series or Win STHP loads I've been using.

Why do I use different loads? Because the available qual loads vary from time to time, depending on availability of different brands of .380 ACP.

I bought the Win T-Series RA380T myself, but only because the distributor had some on the shelf, and it was only $24.95 (50-rd Ranger box) and I was curious about its functioning in my LCP. I bought a couple boxes to try. I fired 1 box (no problems) and have the second one somewhere in an ammo locker.

I realize I probably give up some degree of potential for robust expansion (or just deformation), as well as bullet weight, when I opt for my LCP instead of one of my J-frames.

I don't try to make my .380 into something it's not, though. It's neither a 9mm nor a .38 Spl when it comes to some ballistic effects. But then neither is it a .22, .25 or .32, either.

 

In the test linked below, the .380 Gold Dot was the most consistent in expansion through various thicknesses of clothing.

http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2014/08/glock-42-ammunition-testing.html

Some other ammo may work a little better, but I want something that is available today and a year from now; something I can shoot several hundred through my gun to be really sure it works and where it hits.

I've also had setback problems with Hornady .45 and 9mm ammo in the past. Maybe their .380 is great any maybe not.

 

Some years ago on the kel tec forum some guy did a test with the GS into sides of beef. From a kel tec and an lcp the round expanded quite fine, even broke a rib bone, penetration was around 10 inches. it was an impressive showing as far as expansion. It is what i carry currently but I am considering going to a HOT fmj. Going to test Geco on wednesday as it seems to be loaded hotter than most other fmj 380's.

 

I would rather use a .380 round that does meet FBI standards by penetrating over 12 inches of ballistics gel with expansion after going through 4 layers of denim. Therei are a couple out there.

I'm excited about this ammo, because of it's revolutionary design. The gel tests that shootingthebull410 performed and put on YouTube are very encouraging: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LczfeWK9lHw

My tests weren't as reliable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEhvp6sC8f4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eshbfczJLPo

So, my Glock is new and I've been running a variety of ammo through it flawlessly (except for the LDXP). My hope is that either I polish the ramp or shoot the gun enough that I get reliable feed. Of course, I'll also be working on my grip. With my Bodyguard 380, I can shoot at least 7 rounds before I get a glitch...

 

I would rather use a .380 round that does meet FBI standards by penetrating over 12 inches of ballistics gel with expansion after going through 4 layers of denim. Therei are a couple out there.

That is cool if that is your standard but I don't think the FBI set a standard for the 380. Pretty sure they were interested in service rounds also there is more than just penetration to meet the FBI standards, such as auto glass penetration etc..