.380 FMJ weight

SPEMack618 · September 2, 2017, 01:22 PM

I recently got a Ruger LCP for pocket carry. Everything I've read has said FMJ is the way to go in .380 pistols. Is there any real difference, other than cost, between Sig 100 grn and Federal 95 grn ammo?

JoeSixpack · September 2, 2017, 01:56 PM

for what? practice or SD?

We recently had a discussion on possible defense loads.
FMJ is a popular choice, At first thats what I was gonna go with but after watching various tests of FMJ I became uncomfortable with the level of penetration.. was a supprise to me.

https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=589242

Long story short I decided on speer gold dots.

CDR_Glock · September 2, 2017, 02:03 PM

I used to carry a P238. I liked higher velocity so I picked the Buffalo Bore 95. You want penetration.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

SPEMack618 · September 2, 2017, 02:04 PM

For SD. I plan on running a couple of boxes through my LCP and then just shooting it once a month to rotate my carry ammo.

Triggernosis · September 2, 2017, 06:50 PM

I reload using 95 gr RNFP. Flat points are a good compromise between RN full metal jacket and hollow points.

BigJimP · September 2, 2017, 11:21 PM

My son has a Sig 380....and for practice we reload a 95gr FMJ Montana Gold bullet...and if he carries it, last I knew he was carrying a winchester 95gr JHP...

Hal · September 3, 2017, 07:01 AM

Quote:

I reload using 95 gr RNFP. Flat points are a good compromise between RN full metal jacket and hollow points.

I agree - but - - where do you find a FP in .380 (.356") - 95 gr. ?

Triggernosis · September 3, 2017, 07:22 AM

For .380 I believe you should be looking for .355" diameter in a jacketed bullet.
These are the ones I use: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/13...l-metal-jacket

I also use the "Ranch Dog" 100 gr RNFP cast from wheel weights.

Hal · September 3, 2017, 09:54 AM

Nice!
Thank you very much!

I'm 50/50 on getting a set of .380 dies and reloading the .380.

I'd rather not have both .380 & 9X19 brass around.

For what little I plan on shooting the .380 - the jury is still out on that.

However, I was just thinking the other day how nice it would be for someone to offer a flat point .380
Since I don't believe there's a factory flat point, I'm not opposed to rolling my own.

Triggernosis · September 3, 2017, 10:00 AM

The Winchester "white box" 95 grain has that same exact FP bullet in it that I posted above.
You can usually find them at Walmart.

kmw1954 · September 3, 2017, 10:21 AM

http://www.xtremebullets.com/380-s/9665.htm

http://www.thebulletworks.net/380-10...P-p/103100.htm

Here are 2 to look at.

arquebus357 · September 3, 2017, 10:52 AM

Never mind penetration etc, etc. I'm concerned more about feeding issues than anything else. Anytime that I ever had a function problem with a pistol, it was never with a round nose FMJ.

Being able to shoot just about ANY bullet configuration is one of the reasons that revolvers are still popular.

**Aguila Blanca** · September 3, 2017, 11:50 AM

I don't shoot .380 ACP for recreation. I have a .380 pistol, and its only purpose is defensive carry when circumstances argue against a larger 1911 in an OWB holster. For all the reasons that have been argued in other threads both on this forum and other forums, I do not carry reloads for self defense. Gotta be factory ammo.

I am aware of the arguments against JHP ammo in a .380 ACP, and I remain unconvinced. Under the best of circumstances, unless you score an extremely lucky shot, a .380 ACP is not going to be a man-stopper, whether you rely on expansion (which may not even happen at typical .380 ACP velocities) or penetration. Consequently, I carry Golden Saber in my .380, because I've tested it and it feeds reliably. If it expands, I get a bigger wound channel and more blood loss. If it doesn't expand -- I get the same penetration I'd get from a FMJ at the same velocity.

Maybe it's not the ultimate defensive choice, but a .380 ACP isn't the ultimate defensive pistol. It still beats harsh words or a pointy stick.

September 2, 2017, 01:22 PM	#1
SPEMack618 Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2010 Location: Central Georgia Posts: 1,863	.380 FMJ weight I recently got a Ruger LCP for pocket carry. Everything I've read has said FMJ is the way to go in .380 pistols. Is there any real difference, other than cost, between Sig 100 grn and Federal 95 grn ammo? __________________ NRA Life Member Read my blog! "The answer to any caliber debate is going to be .38 Super, 10mm, .357 Sig or .41 Magnum!"

September 2, 2017, 02:04 PM	#4
SPEMack618 Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2010 Location: Central Georgia Posts: 1,863	For SD. I plan on running a couple of boxes through my LCP and then just shooting it once a month to rotate my carry ammo. __________________ NRA Life Member Read my blog! "The answer to any caliber debate is going to be .38 Super, 10mm, .357 Sig or .41 Magnum!"

September 3, 2017, 07:22 AM	#8
Triggernosis Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Posts: 119	For .380 I believe you should be looking for .355" diameter in a jacketed bullet. These are the ones I use: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/13...l-metal-jacket I also use the "Ranch Dog" 100 gr RNFP cast from wheel weights. Last edited by Triggernosis; September 3, 2017 at 07:29 AM.

September 3, 2017, 10:52 AM	#12
arquebus357 Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2016 Location: Atlanta, Georgia area Posts: 455	Never mind penetration etc, etc. I'm concerned more about feeding issues than anything else. Anytime that I ever had a function problem with a pistol, it was never with a round nose FMJ. Being able to shoot just about ANY bullet configuration is one of the reasons that revolvers are still popular. Last edited by arquebus357; September 3, 2017 at 11:11 AM.

September 2, 2017, 01:56 PM	#2
JoeSixpack Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2017 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,048	for what? practice or SD? We recently had a discussion on possible defense loads. FMJ is a popular choice, At first thats what I was gonna go with but after watching various tests of FMJ I became uncomfortable with the level of penetration.. was a supprise to me. https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=589242 Long story short I decided on speer gold dots.

September 2, 2017, 02:03 PM	#3
CDR_Glock Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2010 Posts: 704	I used to carry a P238. I liked higher velocity so I picked the Buffalo Bore 95. You want penetration. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

September 2, 2017, 06:50 PM	#5
Triggernosis Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Posts: 119	I reload using 95 gr RNFP. Flat points are a good compromise between RN full metal jacket and hollow points.

September 2, 2017, 11:21 PM	#6
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	My son has a Sig 380....and for practice we reload a 95gr FMJ Montana Gold bullet...and if he carries it, last I knew he was carrying a winchester 95gr JHP...

September 3, 2017, 09:54 AM	#9
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	Nice! Thank you very much! I'm 50/50 on getting a set of .380 dies and reloading the .380. I'd rather not have both .380 & 9X19 brass around. For what little I plan on shooting the .380 - the jury is still out on that. However, I was just thinking the other day how nice it would be for someone to offer a flat point .380 Since I don't believe there's a factory flat point, I'm not opposed to rolling my own.

September 3, 2017, 10:00 AM	#10
Triggernosis Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Posts: 119	The Winchester "white box" 95 grain has that same exact FP bullet in it that I posted above. You can usually find them at Walmart.

September 3, 2017, 10:21 AM	#11
kmw1954 Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2016 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 1,524	http://www.xtremebullets.com/380-s/9665.htm http://www.thebulletworks.net/380-10...P-p/103100.htm Here are 2 to look at.

September 3, 2017, 11:50 AM	#13
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	I don't shoot .380 ACP for recreation. I have a .380 pistol, and its only purpose is defensive carry when circumstances argue against a larger 1911 in an OWB holster. For all the reasons that have been argued in other threads both on this forum and other forums, I do not carry reloads for self defense. Gotta be factory ammo. I am aware of the arguments against JHP ammo in a .380 ACP, and I remain unconvinced. Under the best of circumstances, unless you score an extremely lucky shot, a .380 ACP is not going to be a man-stopper, whether you rely on expansion (which may not even happen at typical .380 ACP velocities) or penetration. Consequently, I carry Golden Saber in my .380, because I've tested it and it feeds reliably. If it expands, I get a bigger wound channel and more blood loss. If it doesn't expand -- I get the same penetration I'd get from a FMJ at the same velocity. Maybe it's not the ultimate defensive choice, but a .380 ACP isn't the ultimate defensive pistol. It still beats harsh words or a pointy stick.