July 5, 2013, 10:52 AM | #1 |
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Ammo Question
What ammo is recommended for self defense in .380 caliber? It will be used in a Ruger LCP, and Bersa Thunda.
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July 5, 2013, 01:40 PM | #3 |
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Don't carry a .380 any more, but when I did, I stuck with hardball as well. I noticed the Remington/UMC is slightly hotter than some of the other name brands, but my preference was WWB as well due to the truncated cone design of the bullet.
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July 7, 2013, 11:48 PM | #4 |
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Corbon DPX 380
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July 8, 2013, 01:00 AM | #5 |
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Buffalo Bore 100gr.+P HCFN.
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July 8, 2013, 01:29 AM | #6 |
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Neither the LCP nor the Bersa is a finicky gun in my experience.
My LCP has run several different brands of JHP, including Aguila and Magtech. As for what works best on a criminal, I haven't checked, I buy what's available and will run in my guns, at least these days. Generally the modern bullet designs should work well, so much effort has been put into them: Speer Gold Dot, Winchester PDX, Hornady Critical Defense and Critical Duty (more penetration).... I have actually had problems with Cor Bon functioning in several guns in recent years, even my LCP. |
July 8, 2013, 03:21 PM | #7 |
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Re: Ammo Question
I carry Hornady XTP hp's in my BG .380.
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July 8, 2013, 06:50 PM | #8 |
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Another vote for Buffalo Bore. Shot placement and sufficient penetration are paramount, all else is secondary. Better a non-expanding bullet w/sufficient penetration than an expanding bullet that doesn't reach the vitals.
Tomac
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July 8, 2013, 08:02 PM | #9 |
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Corbon DPX or Hornady Critical Defense.
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July 8, 2013, 11:06 PM | #10 |
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.380acp....
I do not own any .380acp pistols at this time but, from what I have seen & read, there are a few top rated .380acp loads;
Buffalo Bore JHP, Hornady Critical Defense, MagSafe, PowRball, Corbon DPX, Glaser Safety Slug(silver), Winchester Silvertip HP. CF www.shopcorbon.com www.magsafeonline.com www.sgammo.com www.grafs.com www.buffalobore.com www.midwayusa.com |
July 9, 2013, 12:42 AM | #11 |
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I tested critical defense versus Buffalo Bore Barnes in .380 and there is no way I'll use critical defense after seeing the bullet disintegrate upon contact with bone. I use wwb fmj for the flat nose and to maximize penetration...or I use the Barnes bullet as loaded by Buffalo Bore.
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July 11, 2013, 05:37 AM | #12 |
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I'm a big proponent of using commonly available ammo for a sd weapon to minimize the slime trails the lawyers leave after a shooting. Using any designed to do maximum damage just amounts to more slime.
That said, I only use .380 ball when I choose to carry that caliber. The hollowpoints are iffy at best at the velocities the .380 generates and can sometimes even be stopped or diverted from their intended target by things that might not be suspect. The best you can hope for with a .380 is to get enough penetration to do the intended job. |
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