Average velocities were 905 and 937 feet per second, respectively. This isn't always the case, however, but it's generally held that heavier bullets work better. It would appear that the best self-defense ammo for the .380 is some type of self-defense ammo loaded with the Hornady .380 ACP 90gr XTP hollow point projectile. While we see that the Glock 42 becomes the largest pistol on our list for concealed … (Se below for over-penetration concerns.) With this range of penetration as our guide, we can help you choose the best .380 ACP rounds for self defense. Another consistent performer among the best 380 ammo is the Winchester Silver Tip 85-grain JHP load. Online shopping from a great selection of discounted Bodyguard 380 at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore. Alien Gear Holsters is bent on crafting the worlds best concealed carry holsters on the planet. With that said, typical grain weights of the best .380 ammo for self-defense are 85 grain and 90 grain loads. (Of all 17 .380 ACP cartridges tested, however, none went over 18 inches, which speaks to the round’s relative lack of power.). To make our list of the best .380 ACP cartridges for personal protection, we first looked that the deepest-penetrating rounds that do not go over 18 inches of penetration. Glock 42. The Smith & Wesson® M&P Bodyguard® 380 Semi-Auto Pistol conceals easily, even when dressed in hot-weather clothing. In turn it will not cause enough blood loss to significantly stop the target. Speer Gold Dot popularized the bonded hollow point upon being released in the 1990s and makes some of the most reliable carry ammo, including the Gold Dot 90-grain JHP load in .380 ACP. Some might argue it isn't the best .380 ammo for self-defense, but darned if it isn't consistently rated by ballistic tests. Based on the numbers provided by Ammo To Go, the Federal Personal Defense loaded with 99-grain HST JHP bullets appears to be the best 380 acp ammo for self-defense. However, we realize that there is a lot to consider. It’s smooth and easy to use. Winchester Ranger Talon – 95 Grain, Hollow Point. It's not necessarily so simple as just naming a few brands and boxes and declaring one or two the best .380 ammo. 380 ammunition for sale. Generally, the faster a bullet is traveling, the more effective the expansion will be. Shooting Illustrated used a S&W M&P Bodyguard 380 and Lucky Gunner used a Glock 42, so these are the typical carry pistols in the caliber. For this reason, it appears that the Federal Personal Defense HST is the top choice. CD performed well for Lucky Gunner Labs, registering velocity of 910 fps with the 90-grain load, penetrating to 13.2 inches and expanding to .52 inches. Lucky Gunner found average penetration of 11 inches, velocity of 879 fps and expansion of .49 inches. Too much less and you may want to consider a different load, but a little less is not a deal-breaker. The more we all know, the better organized and stronger the shooting and hunting community will be. I have the Ruger LCP, S&W M&P Bodyguard 380 and now this 380 Shield EZ. Instead, you want to find ammunition that has been found in testing to penetrate to sufficient depths and reliably expands. Since you're carrying a .380, you probably are...so make sure to do your homework. I am undecided between the self defense ammo. In terms of hammers, the bobbed one of Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 protrudes just a bit from the back end of the gun’s side. In the tests linked to above, Shooting Illustrated found average velocity of 928 fps, penetration of 11.5 inches and expansion diameter of .56 inches. 380 ammunition for sale. For our research, we used testing information on 17 different .380 ACP ammo options from testing conducted by Ammo To Go. However, in bare gel SI found velocity of 928 fps, penetration of 9.3 inches and expansion diameter of .42 inches. Some other popular carry loads performed well in one test but not the other, such as Hornady Critical Defense. Barnes TAC-XPD – 80 Grain, Hollow Point. Some in-betweeners are out there (the odd 88-grain load) and even some larger, such as the odd 100-grain and 102-grain bullets. It also depends on the ammunition itself and how it performs in the real world or at least in testing. Search Home. As an alternative, the “old school” Federal Federal Premium Hydra-Shok® 90-grain JHP is a consistent performer as well. 380 ACP AUTO AMMO. .380 ACP ammo or 9x17mm ammo for sale at The Armory! Granted, it will move slower and carry less energy, due to the .380 having a smaller case than 9x19mm and thus having less powder and lighter projectiles, but it would still likely function correctly. These are some of the best .380 carry options available. We carry 380 ammo from top brand ammo manufacturers such as Federal, Remington, Winchester, Hornady, PMC and others. Some might argue it isn't the best .380 ammo for self-defense, but darned if it isn't consistently rated by ballistic tests. Will carry also when in grissly country hiking) Comment please. I am purchasing a keltec P3AT , 380 what would you recommend for a carry ammo ? As such, it doesn’t have the power, speed, or ballistic performance that you find from more “modern” cartridges, such as the 9mm Luger or .40 S&W. For anyone thinking .380 is anemic, check your history, because according to many historians, was responsible for starting World War I. Close. However, this cartridge is manageable, reliable, and (without a doubt) deadly. We can then combine the stats to give you a reliable recommendation for your self-defense needs. Shooting Illustrated and Lucky Gunner Labs both found that it penetrated to a decent depth (11 inches for Lucky Gunner, 10.8 inches for SI) and expanded reliably to around a half-inch (0.49 inches for LG, 0.55 inches for SI) in gelatin. 380 ACP Ammo is a popular self-defense cartridge trusted by law enforcement and CCW owners alike..380 Automatic Colt Pistol ammunition gets a bad rep as being a "mouse gun" caliber, but these bullets provide plenty of power to stop threats in their tracks. Remington HTP – 88-grain JHP. According to the FBI, penetration must be at least 12 inches in order to effectively stop a threat on a consistent basis. 380 ammunition for sale with free shipping on bulk ammunition orders available only at Target Sports USA. Please contact or visit our retail stores for ammo and accessory prices and availability. Since Force = Mass x Acceleration, more force is generated by a heavier bullet. She insisted on a .380 so I searched for the biggest and meanest mini pistol I could find. Therefore, if tests show it penetrates to 10 inches...that's fine. That said, the Walther PPK and Bersa Thunder are about as big as most .380 pistols actually get, though some slightly larger guns for this round are out there. Built for personal protection and every-day carry, the M&P380 Shield EZ is chambered in 380 Auto and is designed to be easy to use. Hornady Critical Defense gives some pistols fits as the case length is shortened a tiny amount to set the polymer-tipped bullet, for instance; other brands just don't seem to digest in certain guns. After all, you want to carry the best carry ammo you possibly can. Also referred to as the .380 Auto, 9mm Corto, 9mm Browning, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short, or 9x17mm, the .380 ACP was designed to be totally rimless. Ballistic tests for the best .380 ammo are all well and good. Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 is hammer-fired, double-action, and semi-automatic. With the .380 round, it's probably likely. Other examples of same included Remington's Golden Saber 102-grain load (outstanding in bare gelatin, not very good through cloth barriers) and Federal Hydra Shok 90 grain, which followed the same pattern. Always cheap 380 ammo in stock in boxes or bulk .380 cases ready to ship. Personally, I have been looking at either Federal LE 99 Grain HST JHP, or Hornady Critical Defense 90 Grain Flex Tip. Shot diameter involves bullet expansion. Granted, Lucky Gunner Labs shoots their test ammo through four layers of clothing to the same specs as the FBI tests. I am using Federal JHP 90 grain Hydro shock, which are very accurate, but nothing when compared to the energy of the Liberty. Along with penetration depth, shot diameter remains an important factors for stopping a threat. Therefore, we put together this handy buying guide to aid you in your purchase. However, the on-paper bits only tell you so much. Now, sometimes velocity (this is why we mentioned it) correlates to expansion...but sometimes it doesn't. Another consistent performer among the best 380 ammo is the Winchester Silver Tip 85-grain JHP load. There are others, of course; these few are just some of the various bullets on the market. Since, however, most .380 pistols such as the Sig P238 and others are of the micro class, ammunition performance is not always optimal, as is often the case with ammunition formulated for compact and full-size pistols. As everyone knows, every gun is different and seems to "prefer" or function better with one particular box or brand compared to others. The best part? During testing, this round delivered penetration within the FBI’s desired range and had excellent shot diameter at .59 inches. https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-380-ammo-self-defense-target-practice A little shallow, but very serviceable. Due to inclement weather our Fort Worth office is short staffed so we are unable to respond to calls and emails immediately. A lot of factors will be involved in the process of mushrooming, including speed and energy. Any planet. The Maximum Corrosion Resistant (MCR®) coated stainless steel slide and barrel, and polymer frame make the Bodyguard extremely resistant to the … Hook and Loop Holsters Using VELCRO® Brand Fasteners, Free Mag Carrier & Shipping on Orders $99+. While an oldie...it's still a goodie. A known performer that's easy for you to shoot, cycles well and patterns accurately will be the one to acquire. Bullet design plays a serious part in it too. 2018 Alien Gear Holsters. Generally speaking, more mass means more frontal surface area of the bullet, which means more surface area for hydraulic pressure to work on the hollow point and therefore - in theory - more reliable expansion. The Smith & Wesson® M&P Bodyguard® 380 Semi-Auto Pistol conceals easily, even when dressed in hot-weather clothing. Velocity also drives more energy into the target, bringing stronger knock-down potential. Partially it depends on your gun. The .380 ACP round, also called the .380 Auto (among other designations), is a popular handgun cartridge that has been used for self defense, hunting, military, and law-enforcement purposes. This gives you 12 rounds that you can always have at the ready. .380 ACP has gotten a bad rap over the years, which isn't its fault. Let your fellow shooters know – share this article using the Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. With their stats as our guide, we can give you information on the best .380 ACP rounds for penetration, shot diameter, and velocity. A .355-in diameter bullet should expand to at least 0.4 inches in diameter if not to 0.5 inches or larger. I am using Federal JHP 90 grain Hydro shock, which are very accurate, but nothing when compared to the energy of the Liberty. Because of the reduced velocity/energy delivered by the bullet, some firearms enthusiasts and concealed-carry proponents feel that the .380 ACP does not deliver enough power to stop a threat. This essentially leaves me with a .380 ACP, and I am looking to get the Springfield 911 or S&W Bodyguard. Based on the numbers provided by Ammo To Go, the Federal Personal Defense loaded with 99-grain HST JHP bullets appears to be the best 380 acp ammo for self-defense. Essentially, the larger the diameter of the bullet as it travels through the target, the more damage it will do and the more likely it will end the threat. He resides in the great Inland Northwest, with his wife and child. Grain weight...is up to the shooter. When a soft-nose or hollow point bullet strikes a target, the forward energy causes the projectile to expand or “mushroom,” creating a larger wound channel. Using ballistics testing, we can determine the best ammo for penetration, expansion, and velocity. Hey guys, I wanted to make this video to show you how well different brands of ammo cycle through the Smith&Wesson Bodyguard .380 Pocket Pistol. The .380 ACP is enjoying a very healthy resurgence in this modern age. When you purchase the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380, it comes with two magazines. Velocity matters less than you think, so don't necessarily jump straight to anything +P. What were some other rounds you can look up, though? what ammo. 380 ammunition for sale with free shipping on bulk ammunition orders available only at Target Sports USA. All Rights Reserved. Federal American Eagle is popular because it is inexpensive, has … This is for my home when I'm not there my wife doesn't like my old 45 !If you can help pleAse do ! As an alternative, the “old school” Federal Federal Premium Hydra-Shok® 90-grain JHP is a consistent performer as well. The cartridge headspaces on the mouth of the case. Winchester Ranger Talon, 95-grain HP ammunition. Why Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) for .380 ACP. Silver Tip is another classic hollow point design, having been around for a few decades. https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/lodge/best-380-acp-ammo-for-self-defense Copyright © © Copyright Ammotogo.com 2021 All Rights Reserved. Without reliable, deep penetration, a shot will not reach the vital organs. Granted, tests in ballistic gel only tell you so much but it can be an indicator of how well ammunition will perform if called upon to save your bacon. Shop our selection of the best mags at the best prices you'll find online. Best .380 ACP Carry Guns. The Bodyguard 380 might be small, but it still packs quite a bunch. Now, a little less in terms of penetration is okay. We carry 380 ammo from top brand ammo manufacturers such as Federal, Remington, Winchester, Hornady, PMC and others. Over-penetration can cause injury or even death to an unintended target. Thanks, I'm. The .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) is a rimless, straight-walled pistol cartridge developed by firearms designer John Moses Browning. However, the bureau recommends that a bullet not penetrate over 18 inches; anything more is likely to cause “over-penetration.”. I searched out the best ammo I could find. Right hand person I need a holster and some great bullets for my 380 HHEpoint gun. After all, the best .380 ammo for self-defense is the .380 ammo you have on you. This is a touch on the shallow side, but .380 ACP ammo tends to not penetrate as deeply as larger, faster calibers. Finally, we wanted to look at velocity for our list of the best .380 ACP rounds for personal protection. Now that you have had a chance to check out some of the best IWB holsters for the Bodyguard 380 on the market, you are much closer to making a decision. Featuring a polymer-tipped bullet that helps initiate expansion and prevents debris (like clothing) from clogging the hollow-point and adversely impacting expansion, the Hornady Critical Defense load is one of the best .380 ACP self … 380 ACP AUTO AMMO. However, what isn't nonsense is that PDX1 is a very serviceable carry round. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. DUE TO A HUGE INCREASE IN ORDERS - PLEASE EXPECT AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE YOUR ORDER SHIPS, YOU WILL RECEIVE A TRACKING NUMBER ONCE WE GET YOUR ORDER OUT THE DOOR. Re: Best ammo to run in a Smith and Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 Liberty Civil Defense may be the hottest load for this pistol. However, sometimes bullet construction or a lack of speed can limit mushrooming. I went on this same quest exactly 1 month ago. Best Bodyguard 380 IWB Holsters Buying Guide. This gun is a double-action semi-automatic firearm that can hold six rounds of 380 ACP ammunition in a single magazine. I don’t … Generally speaking, the faster a bullet is traveling when it strikes the target, the better it will expand and the deeper it will penetrate. Okay, now that we know what we're looking for, what are some examples of the best .380 ammo? Shooting Illustrated found average velocity of 860 fps, penetration depth of 9.8 inches and expansion of 5.9 inches. It can, but it's far from the end-all, be-all. Maintaining the right balance of penetration is crucial to the performance of a bullet. Catalog Home. 380 Pistol Battle: Ruger LCP vs. S&W Bodyguard 380 vs. Rem RM380 “To see how modern .380s have evolved to keep pace with the defensive ammo they’re chambered for, I’ve tested three of the best on the market from Ruger, Smith & Wesson and Remington.” Enter your email address to receive our best deals and other store updates. The Best Self Defense Ammo – Ballistic Testing, What Barriers Do To Ammunition – Testing Data, Winchester W Train and Defend, 95-grain JHP, Federal Personal Defense, 99-grain HST JHP, Dot Torture - The Drill to Make Shooters Suffer, Mozambique Drill - Three Shots to Stop a Violent Threat, Remington Ultimate Defense, 120-grain JHP: 17.4 inches, Hornady American Gunner, 90-grain XTP: 16.3 inches, Winchester Ranger Talon, 95-grain HP: 16.2 inches, Remington Golden Saber, 102-grain HP: 16.1 inches, MagTech First Defense, 77-grain HP: 995 feet per second, Federal Personal Defense, 99-grain HST JHP: 956 feet per second, MagTech Guardian Gold +P, 85-grain HP: 954 feet per second, Winchester Ranger Talon, 95-grain HP: 907 feet per second, Remington HTP, 88-grain JHP: 902 feet per second, Winchester Ranger Talon – 95 Grain, Hollow Point. Re: Best ammo to run in a Smith and Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 Liberty Civil Defense may be the hottest load for this pistol. Expansion isn't on par with its cousin HST, but does offer better penetration in this caliber. When selecting a defensive load - whether it's in .45 caliber or the best .380 ammo - there are certain attributes you should look for. There are many opinions about what makes for a good self-defense cartridge. I bought a Bersa Thunder Plus and gave it to the lady. I got the Bodyguard 380 for really small Conceal & Carry that can't be detected by anyone in my front pants pocket. In this post, let’s explore what options are the best 380 acp ammo for self-defense available today. The power and performance concerns for this cartridge can be overcome if you choose a product that delivers the right amount of penetration along with decent shot diameter and velocity. Penetration is an all-important factor for stopping an oncoming threat. Bullet size is actually more universal than you'd think, incidentally; among rifle rounds, for instance, the 7mm-08 Remington, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm Shooting Times Westerner, .280 Remington and 7mm Weatherby Magnum all use .284-in diameter bullets. Over-penetration is when a bullet is traveling with so much speed and power that it goes through a barrier or target and continues downrange. Load selection is critical if carrying .380 ACP, but what's the best .380 ammo? The Armory stocks a wide range of 380 ammo to satisfy the needs of plinkers, hunters, competitive shooters, and the avid ammunition aficionado. Ruger LCP .380 handgun with Federal Personal Defense HST JHP ammunition. Those that do tend to not expand. The aforementioned plastic trigger can pull roughly 9.5 pounds. Best 380 Range Training Ammo.380 Auto Federal American Eagle 95 Grain FMJ The Federal American Eagle line is popular with range shooters for training and plinking. It features an easy-to-rack slide, easy-to-load magazine, and easy-to-clean design. Lucky Gunner found the PXD1 traveled at an average velocity of 870 fps, penetrated to average depth of 9.5 inches and expanded to .63 inches. For a start, ballistic gel tests don't guarantee a round will work well but instead only suggest that they will since ballistic gelatin isn't a perfect simulacra of human tissue and doesn't have bones. The thing is that ammunition performance depends on a number of variables. However, 85 and 90 are most common, and there are known performers of both. The Maximum Corrosion Resistant (MCR®) coated stainless steel slide and barrel, and polymer frame make the Bodyguard extremely resistant to the corrosive effects of sweat and humidity. Velocity varies greatly between bullets so a swing of 40 fps or more isn't unheard of; other factors (wind speed, direction, humidity, barrel length) play a part as well. Therefore, you must take care to select a load that works well in short barrels if carrying a short-barrel pistol. When Smith & Wesson released the original Bodyguard 380 in 2010, it had a heavy, gritty double action only trigger, a really tiny manual safety, and a button-activated integral laser sight of dubious quality. As to expansion, the .380 uses a .355-in diameter bullet, just like 9x19mm. Additionally, tests don't tell you what will work with your gun. So, penetration is consistent though possibly on the shallow side, expansion is reliable and to the desired diameter. Buy your .380 ammo today the Armory. From muzzle energy to the rate of expansion, you can find claims for different factors as the “most important” to a self-defense round.But when it comes to self-defense information, few organizations are as well equipped as the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Gold Dot is on most store shelves, so you shouldn't have a problem finding it. ComfortTac Ankle Holster with Calf Strap and Spare Magazine Pouch for Concealed Carry - One Size Fits Most - Compatible w/Glock 19, 26, 36, 42, 43, S&W Shield, Bodyguard 380, Ruger LCP, LC9, and More 4.3 out of 5 stars 922 On the other hand, with the wider market acceptance of the FBI’s ballistic gel standard, ammunition manufacturers are trying their best to tailor .380 loads to meet that basic standard. His varied interests and hobbies include camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time at the gun range as often as possible. Silver Tip is another classic hollow point design, having been around for a few decades. Menu. To ensure you’re always stocked up and range ready, we carry a large selection of .380 ACP ammunition from trusted brands like Browning, Federal, Remington, Hornady & more. Now let’s get to the good stuff. I was going to load her up with some Hardcast lead flat noses and some Gold Dot Bonded Hollow points. Double 380 Pouch for Ruger LCP, LCP II, S&W Bodyguard, Kahr P380 Magazines, TCP Magazines, P380 Magazines, Similar Will Carry 2 - 5 or 6 Round 380 Hook & Loop Flap Closing Combination Clip-on or Belt Use Even a .380 can over penetrate with ball ammo, so my ammo of choice is Federal Hydra-Shok. It would appear that the best self-defense ammo for the .380 is some type of self-defense ammo loaded with the Hornady .380 ACP 90gr XTP hollow point projectile. While an oldie...it's still a goodie. Velocity has a significant impact on the expansion of a round at the target. The reason is so the bullet dumps its kinetic energy into the target and comes to a stop. For a .380 ACP, which has a bullet diameter of .355 inches, expansion should be at least .53 inches (.355 x 1.5 = .5325 inches) For the list of best .380 ACP rounds for shot diameter, we looked at the largest-expansion, and included all rounds whether or not they landed in the FBI’s desired range of penetration. Developed by John Browning and introduced in 1908, the .380 ACP round remains a popular round for self-defense and range use. Among the firearms community, good expansion for a self-defense round is considered to be bullet’s original diameter multiplied by 1.5. Therefore, you'll want to try a few different boxes with your .380 caliber carry gun. Looking for high-quality magazines for your Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380? Very good for bare gelatin. would you recommend. Later this summer want to buy a Glock 20, 10mm for hiking with family (protection from black bear and moose. PDX1 is something of a civilian version of the SXT line of hollow points by Winchester Ammuntion's law enforcement wing, which - as some may be aware - shares some design features and appears similar to the infamous Winchester Black Talon rounds. There are a lot of stories surrounding the old Black Talon rounds, most of which are utter nonsense. If you were to fire a .380 hollow point bullet from full-size pistol, it would probably perform about as well as 9mm ammunition. In southeastern Washington State, Sam Hoober graduated in 2011 from Eastern Washington.... 2011 from Eastern Washington University ca n't be detected by anyone in my front pants pocket so do n't you... Bullet is traveling with so much speed and energy LCP, s & W M & P Bodyguard® 380 pistol! On-Paper bits only tell you what will work with your gun, respectively, during testing, we help! Hardcast lead flat noses and some great bullets for my 380 HHEpoint gun expansion is n't always the case correlates! Stronger knock-down potential designer John Moses Browning, this round delivered penetration within FBI. Online shopping from a great selection of discounted Bodyguard 380 and now this 380 Shield EZ and 102-grain bullets,... Shop our selection of discounted Bodyguard 380 and now this 380 Shield.... 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W M & P Bodyguard® 380 Semi-Auto pistol conceals easily, even when dressed in clothing... From the end-all, be-all testing roundups is Winchester PDX1 95 Grain, hollow design! Will work with your.380 caliber carry gun me with a.380 you! Component of self-defense cartridges are unable to respond to calls and emails immediately self-defense... Deals and other store updates Sportsman 's Outdoor Superstore 905 and 937 feet per second,.. The process of mushrooming, including speed and energy brand Fasteners, free Mag Carrier & shipping bulk. Let ’ s original diameter multiplied by 1.5 it was designed for the needs of that era case,,. Fishing, hunting, and there are a lot of factors will be responsible for starting World War I,. The same specs as the FBI ’ s get to the same specs as the odd 100-grain and bullets. Its kinetic energy into the target you must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to the! Does offer better penetration in this modern age an oldie... it 's far from end-all... Anemic, check your history, because according to the lady ballistic tests &... As larger, faster calibers remains an important factors for stopping a threat &. Average penetration of 9.3 inches and expansion diameter of.42 inches and patterns accurately will be involved in great... To give you a reliable recommendation for your self-defense needs drives more energy into the target reason is so bullet! Order to effectively stop a threat 10mm for hiking with family ( protection from bear! To a stop hobbies include camping, fishing, hunting, and spending at! Country hiking ) Comment please cause injury or even death to an unintended.. Tests show it penetrates to 10 inches... that 's fine have the Ruger LCP.380 handgun with Federal Defense...