.380 defence ammo?

P99AS9 · May 18, 2008, 01:53 PM

I am thinking about getting Walther PPK/S in .380 as my next gun. Also, my father is going to buy a two-tone Sig P232 (.380)

What is good defence ammo for a .380?

45Marlin carbine · May 18, 2008, 04:17 PM

they are one of the best IMO but not for large hands. carry a hot-loaded HP in the chamber and FMJ in the mag IMO. I favor .380's and Makarovs for carry.

hoytinak · May 18, 2008, 04:42 PM

The Corbon DPX seems to be very popular but I can't find any local to try it out for myself. I use the Federal Hydra-Shok's in my LCP as they seem to be reliable but then again that's also the only JHP .380's anyone local carries in stock.

Army GI · May 18, 2008, 05:19 PM

Try these great loadings:

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/cat...hp?cPath=21_62

RidgwayCO · May 18, 2008, 09:20 PM

Speer 90gr Gold Dots chronograph at 950 fps out of my 3.5" Bersa 95. They're accurate too.

6thMichCav · May 26, 2008, 03:13 PM

I can remember some tests from Shooting Times 5-10 years ago (before I ended my subscription).

Based on penetration and expansion, they recommended PMC Starfire, Federal Hydra-Shoks, and Remington Golden Sabre, about in that order. I don't even know if you can still get all of these, since I mainly reload 90-grain lead RN, Hornady XTP, and FMJ in my Beretta 85F.

So, if you must (or want) to use a .380 for defense, these are some good places to start.

45Marlin carbine · May 26, 2008, 04:57 PM

I load my own .380acp rounds. useing Bullseye and Golden Saber or Speer FMJ. I load 'em on the hot side. also load my Makarov rounds - as .380's - hot.

Rampant_Colt · May 26, 2008, 05:01 PM

Reminton 102gr Golden Sabers and 90gr Hornady XTPs for me

putteral · May 26, 2008, 06:31 PM

I use 3.2grs Of titegroup with hornady 90gr XTP in my Walther PPK/S for my carry Load. I also use 3.1grs of Red Dot with 102gr Golden Sabre. Both are very accruate at 10 yards.

CowTowner · May 26, 2008, 06:53 PM

+1 for the Remington 102 grain Golden Sabers

crazylegs · May 27, 2008, 09:53 AM

I have a Ruger LCP and have ordered 102 grn Golden Sabers for it. There's a pretty extensive write-up over at the KTOG forum and it looked like the GSs came out on top. Now that's out of a KT P3AT and should be pretty much the same for my LCP. Don't know about the Walther.
Crazylegs

The Lovemaster · May 27, 2008, 11:23 AM

Buffalo Bores for me. Big, mean and nasty.

ForneyRider · May 27, 2008, 11:29 AM

I picked up some .380 102gr Golden Sabres for my dad's Bersa this weekend.

crazylegs · May 27, 2008, 11:48 AM

LoveMaster, which ones and have you fired them yet?
Crazylegs

The Lovemaster · May 27, 2008, 12:37 PM

I think they're hundred grainers, IIRC. Lead round nose. Pack a pretty good wallop. Also make my thumb push the mag release when gun fires, not a good thing. I still haven't decided if I like them for this reason.

crazylegs · May 27, 2008, 02:19 PM

OK, yeah, I read about those. Supposedly the same performance as a std 38 Special round. Thanks.
Crazylegs

45Marlin carbine · May 27, 2008, 02:53 PM

Golden Sabre shoots best of all in my BDA. wish they were made for a Makarov but XTP Hornadys do great. I tryed some MagTech slugs from Natchez in my BDA also - they do fine, not as good as GS but near and cheap too. 95gr IIRC. the nose has serrations running down from the flat point as the Nosler, but not H-P. looks wicked.

May 18, 2008, 01:53 PM	#1
P99AS9 Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 612	.380 defence ammo? I am thinking about getting Walther PPK/S in .380 as my next gun. Also, my father is going to buy a two-tone Sig P232 (.380) What is good defence ammo for a .380? Last edited by P99AS9; May 19, 2008 at 11:44 AM.

May 26, 2008, 03:13 PM	#6
6thMichCav Member Join Date: May 26, 2008 Posts: 52	Old magazine info I can remember some tests from Shooting Times 5-10 years ago (before I ended my subscription). Based on penetration and expansion, they recommended PMC Starfire, Federal Hydra-Shoks, and Remington Golden Sabre, about in that order. I don't even know if you can still get all of these, since I mainly reload 90-grain lead RN, Hornady XTP, and FMJ in my Beretta 85F. So, if you must (or want) to use a .380 for defense, these are some good places to start.

May 26, 2008, 05:01 PM	#8
Rampant_Colt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,478	Reminton 102gr Golden Sabers and 90gr Hornady XTPs for me __________________ member of an elite paramilitary organization: Eagle Scouts

May 26, 2008, 06:53 PM	#10
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	+1 for the Remington 102 grain Golden Sabers __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

May 27, 2008, 11:29 AM	#13
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	I picked up some .380 102gr Golden Sabres for my dad's Bersa this weekend. __________________ When all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done.

May 18, 2008, 04:17 PM	#2
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	they are one of the best IMO but not for large hands. carry a hot-loaded HP in the chamber and FMJ in the mag IMO. I favor .380's and Makarovs for carry.

May 18, 2008, 04:42 PM	#3
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	The Corbon DPX seems to be very popular but I can't find any local to try it out for myself. I use the Federal Hydra-Shok's in my LCP as they seem to be reliable but then again that's also the only JHP .380's anyone local carries in stock.

May 18, 2008, 05:19 PM	#4
Army GI Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2006 Posts: 284	Try these great loadings: http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/cat...hp?cPath=21_62

May 18, 2008, 09:20 PM	#5
RidgwayCO Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2008 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 244	Speer 90gr Gold Dots chronograph at 950 fps out of my 3.5" Bersa 95. They're accurate too.

May 26, 2008, 04:57 PM	#7
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	I load my own .380acp rounds. useing Bullseye and Golden Saber or Speer FMJ. I load 'em on the hot side. also load my Makarov rounds - as .380's - hot.

May 26, 2008, 06:31 PM	#9
putteral Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2008 Location: Homosassa,Florida Posts: 206	I use 3.2grs Of titegroup with hornady 90gr XTP in my Walther PPK/S for my carry Load. I also use 3.1grs of Red Dot with 102gr Golden Sabre. Both are very accruate at 10 yards.

May 27, 2008, 09:53 AM	#11
crazylegs Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2004 Posts: 145	I have a Ruger LCP and have ordered 102 grn Golden Sabers for it. There's a pretty extensive write-up over at the KTOG forum and it looked like the GSs came out on top. Now that's out of a KT P3AT and should be pretty much the same for my LCP. Don't know about the Walther. Crazylegs

May 27, 2008, 11:23 AM	#12
The Lovemaster Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 416	Buffalo Bores for me. Big, mean and nasty.

May 27, 2008, 11:48 AM	#14
crazylegs Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2004 Posts: 145	LoveMaster, which ones and have you fired them yet? Crazylegs

May 27, 2008, 12:37 PM	#15
The Lovemaster Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 416	I think they're hundred grainers, IIRC. Lead round nose. Pack a pretty good wallop. Also make my thumb push the mag release when gun fires, not a good thing. I still haven't decided if I like them for this reason.

May 27, 2008, 02:19 PM	#16
crazylegs Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2004 Posts: 145	OK, yeah, I read about those. Supposedly the same performance as a std 38 Special round. Thanks. Crazylegs

May 27, 2008, 02:53 PM	#17
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	Golden Sabre shoots best of all in my BDA. wish they were made for a Makarov but XTP Hornadys do great. I tryed some MagTech slugs from Natchez in my BDA also - they do fine, not as good as GS but near and cheap too. 95gr IIRC. the nose has serrations running down from the flat point as the Nosler, but not H-P. looks wicked.