Best "hot" .380 ammo?

[jazzman111]

I use my Walther PPK/S .380 as my home defense weapon. I know it's generally regarded as at the lower edge of defensive rounds, but are there extra hot, hollow point rounds I might want to consider to give me the biggest bang for the buck? I figure, I can keep a clip loaded with them in the gun when it's in my bedstand safe and keep firing the cheap Russian bullets when I bring it to the gun club for fun shooting.

[ReefBlueCoupe]

You don't always want the "hottest" you can get, because if the ammo is high velocity but the bullet lacks good expansion qualities, it can pass right through without the stopping power you'd want in a defense situation.

Federal Hydrashoks are available in .380 and are generally considered very good personal defense shells since that is specifically what the Hydrashok line of ammo is designed for.

http://www.ammoman.com/webstore_Hydra_Shok.htm

[jazzman111]

That's actually what I was looking for: maximum stopping power for a .380 round. Sounds like this may be the ticket.

[minsonngo]

I would go with Winchester Silvertips or Remington Golden Sabers. Winchester Rangers and Speer Gold Dots are great choices too.

[Donut]

With the small amount of .380 research i've done latey (looking at a Bersa Thunder), I think my choice would be the CorBon DPX round. It looks like a decent round for the 380.

[jazzman111]

Wow, Minn. Thanks for the "picture is worth a 1000 words" response! Just a couple of comments: looks like "Pow'r Ball" leave a metal trash heap in the unfortunate person that gets hit with it! Also, CorBon 90 +P seems to be proof that, just because you're designed as a hollow-point and have that impressive "+P" after your name, doesn't mean you're going to have any expansion at all.

[Syntax360]

If you must go with a hollow point, the Corbon load previously mentioned is considered top-echelon right now. Golden Sabers would be my second choice.

IMHO, you should load up some FMJ and forget about it. Expansion hurts, penetration kills. This guy over at Sigforum recently did some chrono testing on .380 ball, and the Magtech stuff looks pretty good. The JHP's can only be trusted to guarantee proper results if you land a solid chest-only frontal shot. If the BG throws up his arms or turns to his side, you are rolling the dice.

[Bill DeShivs]

Please remember- you shoot until you stop the threat. Use good ammunition and multiple shots. Forget "one-shot stop" scenarios-they don't usually apply.
Bill

[tshadow6]

Who sells .380 Golden Saber? I'm impressed with the pictures. I also like the Silvertip. (my favorite)

[sm]

Fiocchi FMJ is what I like in .380 and 32ACP...

[kkille1lsu]

I just got back from the range shooting my PPK/S and I have a nasty cut to prove it. Gotta watch that slide bite. I shot 3 different loads: WinClean, Blazer, Magtech. I really liked WinClean and they are a decent price at WalMart. Blazers are HORRIBLE. Had problem after problem. Magtech was okay too but bought it at range and hated to pay that much. Personal research has convinced me to use FMJ.

[exprt9]

Check out this website.....

http://www.brassfetcher.com/380ACP.html

[swk314]

Who sells .380 Golden Saber?

Remington.

[TacticalDefense1911]

I'd have to vote for Corbon DPX.

[firing9mm]

How has shot an LCP with this ammo? Please provide some feedback.


Thanks You!

[TimM]

Check out Buffalo Bore.

[zombieslayer]

I like Pow'rBall +p in .380, Hornady CD is good, too. I also like Gold Dots

[benzuncle]

A few years ago a guy on the NAA forum did a wet pack test with 380 ammo. He used 2 Corbon rounds, 90gr Federal HydraShok and 90gr Speer Gold Dots HP's.
His test showed the 102gr Golden Sabers JHP's penetrating 8" and expanded to between .570 and .588 inches. The next best were the 95gr Winchester SXT JHP's which also penetrated 8" and expanded to between .506 and .537 inches. The Corbon 80gr DPX and the 90gr JHP both penetrated 9" but didn't expand at all. (I still have the pix of the test and the data.) The others were in between. Based on his findings and the pix I began using the Golden Sabers. I have fired at least 400 rounds through my NAA Guardian and have never had an FTF or and FTE. I have "accumulated about 600 bullets and load 50 to 100 at a time. I also use 230gr Remington GS in my 45. Never had a FTF or FTE with them either. If Remington made a GS bullet for 357Sig I would use them also.

If penetration is all a person is concerned with, FMJ's are the way to go. They should penetrate about 10 inches. I like my chances with the 102gr RGS.

[firing9mm]

Using an LCP...I am inclined to buy PowRBall or Hornady CD, but want to know about more choices before deciding...please post details of your personal experience with the ammo, including jams, recoil etc...

Thanks

[Bill DeShivs]

The .380 and .32 ACP became viable self defense cartridges BECAUSE modern expanding ammunition became available in those calibers. Penetration with both calibers is fine with hollow points.

[zombieslayer]

Hornady CD has fairly mild recoil, functions flawlessly. CorBon Pow'rBall has a bit more recoil and flash, but is my favorite. Right now all I've seen on the shelves has been the Speer GD's. My LCP and p3at both ate every ammo I tried, though.

[CWPinSC]

Corbon DPX gets my nod, too. Corbon has some good stats on it. I notice in most ammo tests, it's not included. Wonder why?

[michael t]

Corbon DPX has my vote Here this is a jell test thru denim using a kelTec the PPK/S will add approx another 50fps

http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/380acp/gel380acp.htm


Notice both the Corbon DPX and JHP performed well

[wnycollector]

Fiocchi FMJ is what I like in .380 and 32ACP...

+1 on fiocchi FMJ!

[Nykop]

I use remington GS 102 gr in my LCP