Need Your Recommendations For .380 Ammo

[Guest dreh]

Came across a Taurus 738 TCP .380. I need recommendations for ammo:

(1) What would you recommend for Personal Defense everyday carry?

(2) What would you recommend for range practice?

Thanks for your help.

[Guest HexHead]

1) Hornady Critical Defense.

2) At this point, anything you can find.

[Defender]

I keep Hornady Critical Defense in my 380s.

[Loon160T]

1) Hornady Critical Defense.

2) At this point, anything you can find.

Ditto!

[nolo]

I like Buffalo Bore .380 FMJ for self defense.

[Guest eyebedam]

I like Speer Gold Dot & Golden Sabre. I guess im the odd 1 out.

[TN-popo]

Good advice originally posted by Todd@CIS.

For .380ACP, stick with FMJ for practice and defense.

With the POSSIBLE exception of the Hornady XTP (only because it doesn't expand that much), there is not a .380 JHP made that expands AND penetrates deep enough to be recommended for effective self defense.

FWIW, my general rule of thumb:

For calibers that can reliably expand AND penetrate approx 12" of calibrated gel...JHP.

For calibers that can reliably expand OR penetrate approx 12" of calibrated gel...FMJ.

We WANT expansion...we NEED penetration.

Plus, you get the added benefit of better feed reliability in small autos (which sometimes can be more finicky than service-sized pistols).

Edited February 3, 2010 by TN-popo

[enfield]

I'm going to watch this thread closely and, as soon as the argument starts between the HP guys and the FMJ guys, I'm going to close it.

I'll wait until we get the links to "expert" recommendations, and until we discuss the real world applicability of FBI gelatin testing, the Florida and North Hollywood shootouts, etc.

I'll delete all the off-topic posts and, after I close the thread, I'll post it as a sticky so we don't have to do this again on this forum.

Let the games begin . . .

[Alpha7]

Came across a Taurus 738 TCP .380. I need recommendations for ammo:

(1) What would you recommend for Personal Defense everyday carry?

(2) What would you recommend for range practice?

Thanks for your help.

1. deleted - off topic [Mod]

2. FMJ rounds.

3. Good luck finding any 380 ammo.

Edited February 3, 2010 by enfield
removed off-topic comment

[lowbud]

I use speer gold dot, federal hydra-shok, and magtech guardian gold for JHP defense rounds. but in most cases ya get whaever you can find.

Anything else for target. With a small gun just about any ammo will do to get use to the recoil and how it shoots.. I'm not sure anyone thinks about groupings when talking about these things.

They are designed for up close and personal. that's it.

I keep all of my defense guns loaded jhp, fmj, jhp, fmj and so on. Why? heck I don't know.. I figure if the hollow point doesn't stop em, the fmj will.. if their still commin at ya.. start running.

[Alpha7]

I use speer gold dot, federal hydra-shok, and magtech guardian gold for JHP defense rounds. but in most cases ya get whaever you can find.

Anything else for target. With a small gun just about any ammo will do to get use to the recoil and how it shoots.. I'm not sure anyone thinks about groupings when talking about these things.

They are designed for up close and personal. that's it.

I keep all of my defense guns loaded jhp, fmj, jhp, fmj and so on. Why? heck I don't know.. I figure if the hollow point doesn't stop em, the fmj will.. if their still commin at ya.. start running.

Good point

[Guest Pt709Slim]

Anyone use frangible loads?

[Guest Bushhog]

I found some power ball ammo, shoots great thru my .380

[tnhawk]

I haven't seen many options in .380. I'm not worried about over penetration from this weak a round, so i've used FMJ as they feed with less of a problem.

[Erik88]

To the original post: I just acquired a Beretta 85 .380 and I have been wondering the same thing. Whatever you decide to go with Cabela's has the best prices I have found on .380 ammo...

Cabela's -- Search Simple Product

[TN-popo]

I'm going to watch this thread closely and, as soon as the argument starts between the HP guys and the FMJ guys, I'm going to close it.

I'll wait until we get the links to "expert" recommendations, and until we discuss the real world applicability of FBI gelatin testing, the Florida and North Hollywood shootouts, etc.

I'll delete all the off-topic posts and, after I close the thread, I'll post it as a sticky so we don't have to do this again on this forum.

Let the games begin . . .

Well I didn't mean to bring down the thread with my post...talking about FMJs, JHPs, and all that kind of stuff.

I kinda thought that was what the OP was looking for.

Edited February 5, 2010 by TN-popo

[enfield]

You didn't -- I expect a lively discussion on FMJ, JHP, etc. I wasn't responding to your post but to the topic overall.

The "best" .380 ammo is a perennial topic on all gun boards, as is the "best" shotgun ammo for HD. It's because there are acceptable and unacceptable personal defense rounds for both. It's a topic I'm a little tired of, personally.

Most all other calibers are one or the other - they're either suitable only for squirrels and rabbits or they will blow a hole thru 2 BG's and the wall behind them, regardless of load.

.380 ACP is a betwixt-and-between load, hence the arguments between those who favor expansion and those who favor penetration.

BTW - I agree with your post 100%.

Edited February 4, 2010 by enfield

[TN-popo]

Gotcha, thank you.

[daddyo]

I found some power ball ammo, shoots great thru my .380

Does it penetrate the minimum 12" required to be an adequate SD round?

[DavidD]

.....I keep all of my defense guns loaded jhp, fmj, jhp, fmj and so on. Why? heck I don't know.. I figure if the hollow point doesn't stop em, the fmj will.. if their still commin at ya.. start running.

You are not the first I've heard of loading magazines this way. Back in the early 90's a Friend who hated every round except a .45 talked me into loading my 9mm this way. I eventually stopped but It actually has some merit in my opinion. Kind of the best of both worlds I guess. I may go home and load both of my .380's this way (PPK & LCP).

[Guest JayMc]

I have an LCP 380 on the way. Ammo is tough to get, but I would appreciate suggestions for personal defense ammo.

Before I catch crap, the 380 will be much easier to conceal in my suit and tie world than anything else I have now

[mikegideon]

It's probably going to wind up being what you can get. I have gold dots, but would probably pick Hornady Critical Defense if I could get it

[lowbud]

+1 on the gold dots. Midway had them in stock a few days ago.

[Guest JayMc]

It's probably going to wind up being what you can get. I have gold dots, but would probably pick Hornady Critical Defense if I could get it

I'm a fan of the gold dots and use them in my 9mm. Thanks for the suggestion, the reality of get what you can is setting in.

[Guest JimmyJ]

Hi:

When I CCW a .380 (Browning BDA) i used PMC JHPs (impressive performance).

Jimmy