So you want to carry a .380? - Page 3

wild cat mccane · January 25, 2020, 09:03 PM

HST is far better at expansion than what it replaced Hydra Shok that came out in 1988.

What is interesting about this is, Federal just released HST 380. Federal HST 380 wasn't reviewed as being super awesome like HST 9mm--with 9mm HST being the current gold standard in 9mm.

So why is Hydra Shok 380 being refined when Federal is way past Hydra Shok?

That is interesting.

Though, no comment on expansion. Just that it goes 13"

Forte S+W · January 25, 2020, 11:07 PM

Meh, I'll stick with Hornady American Gunner XTPs.

.380 ACP XTPs are proven performers which typically meet minimum FBI/IWBA requirements in Ballistics Gel Tests, even out of Pocket Pistols such as the Ruger LCP.

I imagine that the Federal Hydra Shok Deep is just Federal's answer to the Hornady XTP, a bullet with moderate expansion but deep penetration.

Professor · January 26, 2020, 04:12 AM

In .380, I've settled on the Colt Pocketlite and FMJ ammo for reliability and penetration reasons. The Colt is a near perfect size and not a blowback.

TBM900 · January 26, 2020, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forte S+W

.380 ACP XTPs are proven performers which typically meet minimum FBI/IWBA requirements in Ballistics Gel Tests, even out of Pocket Pistols such as the Ruger LCP.

Taken right from an advertisement...
And I'm sure they thank you for the plug, as well as for spending ~3x as much

TBM900 · January 26, 2020, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor

In .380, I've settled on the Colt Pocketlite and FMJ ammo for reliability and penetration reasons. The Colt is a near perfect size and not a blowback.

This is the correct answer for 380

I've yet to see a 380 load that reliably expanded and penetrated deep enough.
They all fall short, so better to spend that boutique money on more practice and full penetration.

Expansion is over-rated anyway...
Practice
Placement
Penetration

wild cat mccane · January 26, 2020, 10:54 AM

I as wrong. Found expansion.

So it looks like this will likely be the new gold standard for LCP length barrels. Beats XTP in expansion and equals in penetration due to the conical spire in the middle.

HST does great in longer barrels.

Ruger45LC · January 28, 2020, 01:42 PM

I'll probably try some, I currently go between HST, Gold Dot or V Crown in my Glock 42. I'm not particularly fond of the 380 but the G42 shoots so good and it's accurate, plus I'm sure that if the bullet goes where it needs to, the 380 should work okay.

Lavan · January 30, 2020, 07:03 PM

If I were a mugger, I think I'd be willing to let the "mark" go if he handed me a nice 380.

KEYBEAR · January 30, 2020, 08:04 PM

Over the years I have had a number of carry guns . For the last 10 years or so a 380 is the carry piece for me . I bought a new Sig Sauer P230 made in Germany and as a carry gun it is hard to beat .

It is all about the AMMO i found the right stuff . UNDERWOOD i have shot some of the 100gr. at 1200 fps i can tell you the bad will not like it .

Kevin Rohrer · January 31, 2020, 01:30 PM

Federal has you covered. According to a recent press release, there's a New Hydra-Shok Deep in .380 ACP that exceeds the FBI minimum penetration distance in both bare ballistics gelatin and through denim. If the inability of .380 ACP to satisfy the FBI's penetration standard is what's been holding you back from carrying a smaller, lighter .380 pistol, this might be the solution.

And within the next 10-years, I expect their "testing" to confirm that the .380 is the ultimate police round, just as they did with the (in chronological order) with the .38spl, 357mag, 10mm, .40cal, and the current 9mm.

But just as from the beginning of the Bureau to now, their privileged groups will still carry a 1911 (or 2011) in .45ACP.

January 25, 2020, 09:03 PM	#51
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,624	HST is far better at expansion than what it replaced Hydra Shok that came out in 1988. What is interesting about this is, Federal just released HST 380. Federal HST 380 wasn't reviewed as being super awesome like HST 9mm--with 9mm HST being the current gold standard in 9mm. So why is Hydra Shok 380 being refined when Federal is way past Hydra Shok? That is interesting. Though, no comment on expansion. Just that it goes 13" Last edited by wild cat mccane; January 25, 2020 at 09:10 PM.

January 25, 2020, 11:07 PM	#52
Forte S+W Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2019 Posts: 819	Meh, I'll stick with Hornady American Gunner XTPs. .380 ACP XTPs are proven performers which typically meet minimum FBI/IWBA requirements in Ballistics Gel Tests, even out of Pocket Pistols such as the Ruger LCP. I imagine that the Federal Hydra Shok Deep is just Federal's answer to the Hornady XTP, a bullet with moderate expansion but deep penetration. __________________ Conspiracy theorists are the greatest political spin-doctors of all time. Only they can make the absolute worst political blunders sound like spectacular feats of ingenuity.

January 30, 2020, 08:04 PM	#59
KEYBEAR Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,059	Over the years I have had a number of carry guns . For the last 10 years or so a 380 is the carry piece for me . I bought a new Sig Sauer P230 made in Germany and as a carry gun it is hard to beat . It is all about the AMMO i found the right stuff . UNDERWOOD i have shot some of the 100gr. at 1200 fps i can tell you the bad will not like it . Last edited by KEYBEAR; January 30, 2020 at 08:19 PM.

January 31, 2020, 01:30 PM	#60
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,049	Federal has you covered. According to a recent press release, there's a New Hydra-Shok Deep in .380 ACP that exceeds the FBI minimum penetration distance in both bare ballistics gelatin and through denim. If the inability of .380 ACP to satisfy the FBI's penetration standard is what's been holding you back from carrying a smaller, lighter .380 pistol, this might be the solution. And within the next 10-years, I expect their "testing" to confirm that the .380 is the ultimate police round, just as they did with the (in chronological order) with the .38spl, 357mag, 10mm, .40cal, and the current 9mm. But just as from the beginning of the Bureau to now, their privileged groups will still carry a 1911 (or 2011) in .45ACP. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

January 26, 2020, 04:12 AM	#53
Professor Member Join Date: June 19, 2002 Posts: 22	In .380, I've settled on the Colt Pocketlite and FMJ ammo for reliability and penetration reasons. The Colt is a near perfect size and not a blowback.

January 26, 2020, 10:54 AM	#56
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,624	I as wrong. Found expansion. So it looks like this will likely be the new gold standard for LCP length barrels. Beats XTP in expansion and equals in penetration due to the conical spire in the middle. HST does great in longer barrels.

January 28, 2020, 01:42 PM	#57
Ruger45LC Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 768	I'll probably try some, I currently go between HST, Gold Dot or V Crown in my Glock 42. I'm not particularly fond of the 380 but the G42 shoots so good and it's accurate, plus I'm sure that if the bullet goes where it needs to, the 380 should work okay.

January 30, 2020, 07:03 PM	#58
Lavan Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1999 Location: California Posts: 2,716	If I were a mugger, I think I'd be willing to let the "mark" go if he handed me a nice 380.