380 Test Results

[Mike from Texas]

I'd be interested to see results from the Cor Bon DPX and Winchester Ranger Ts. I'm considering a Kel Tec 380 for my bug but if I can't depend on the 380 I'll step up to the 9mm.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[myusername]

There is a test comparing the two, ranger t and dpx, on a kel tec board. They used wetpack. The dpx went deeper, i think it opened wider. the talons caused extra damage on the rangers. http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...num=1149377730

The Magtech Copper rounds have not expanded in every test i've seen. They are nothing like the DPX.

[Shizzlemah]

But that's the problem - if it expands, penetration is lacking.

Not really true. An effective bullet puts all its energy into the target.

For a .380, even a FMJ load will have trouble passing through 9" - it is likely to stop in a BG's torso.

If you have a HP that opens uo to .65" and penetrates only 6", is that a problem ?


What works for me in my 380 - Rem GS in the pipe, ball in the mag. The pistol functions quite reliably with ball, and I'd rather shoot ball than clear a HP jam !

[SammyIamToday]

If you have a HP that opens uo to .65" and penetrates only 6", is that a problem ?

It is if the 6 inches of penetration doesn't get the bullet to anything life threatening (organs, etc). This is of course barring a mental stop from the actual shooting itself.

[Shizzlemah]

Yabut - the original poster was complaining about hollow points that may not expand... ie: penetration w/o expansion is bad...

[limatunes]

....and that is why limatune was buying a "get Well" card instead of "My Condolences" card for the guy she shot with the .380


Sorry, I've been holding that since the thread started

Oh God, and the rumor keeps on going..
Okay.. back on topic!

[armorer234]

In my bersa Thunder, I just keep a HP in the chamber, and alternate the magazine with ball&hp. So, I'll have 4 ball and 4 HP to work with should I ever need to resort to that pistol in a dire situation.

[frankmako]

nothing wrong with ball ammo. in my p3at, first round is a hydro shock follow with ball. second mag is all ball. ball ammo feeds 100% and it will get the job done.

[Bob O]

Here is a fairly comprehensive list of links to .380 Caliber Ammunition Tests. Hope it helps!
(Some links may require user registration.)
=========================================

OG & Friend's Ballistic Test Results
http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a10/a10.html

2d Gen P-3AT Analysis Part 2 (includes wet pack test)
http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/viewto...4953776a49d0df

The Last Crusade - .380 Wet Pack Test
http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/viewto...4791&view=next

mouseguns.com - Ammunition and Ballistics
http://www.mouseguns.com/amball.htm
Scroll down to the .380 section.

The Box O' Truth #26 - Little Guns vs. The Box O' Truth
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot26.htm

Ballistic gelatin testing results : .32NAA 90 grain Sierra JHC
http://www.thehighroad.org./showthre...oto=nextnewest

DPX/Gold Dot Raccoon test.
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...8245402;start=

Head-to-head test: DPX vs. Ranger-T
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...9377730;start=

MONSTER WET NEWS MULTI-GUN-TEST
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...8670025;start=

P3AT CHEAP JHP WETPACK TEST
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...6124717;start=

Smilies and Wet Newspaper Test
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...6435642;start=

Wet Newspaper Test: Corbon DPX .380 HP
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...7392682;start=

Wet Newspaper Test: Santa Barbara 87g.
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...3002383;start=

Wetpack Test: DPX, GD, GS, Ranger-T, etc.
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...8344941;start=

WINTER/SUMMER WETPACK TEST DONE
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...8537757;start=

Wetpack test with a NAA Guardian 380 pistol, 2.5" barrel.
http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/viewto...713759e42546ac

Fly&Og Revisit DPX with GS, GD, and more!!
http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/viewto...er=asc&start=0

More Smiley Tests with a 1G P3AT
http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/viewto...asc&highlight=

Smileys Revisited
http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/viewto...er=asc&start=0

THE FLY AND OG .380 DPX WETPACK TEST WITH 4 PISTOLS!!
http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/viewto...asc&highlight=

Cor-Bon .380 DPX "Wet Pack" test with LWS380
http://www.seecamp.com/cgi-bin/yabb2...m=1148012398/0

Cartridge Performance: .380 ACP
http://www.geocities.com/bersa_thund...ges.html?20054

Selecting a .380 Cartridge
http://www.geocities.com/bersa_thund...es2.html?20054

Bersa Thunder .380 with Cor-Bon 80-gr. DPX Ammunition
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Bersa%20Thunder.htm

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

Cor-Bon .380 70 gr PowRBall
http://www.stoppingpower.net/forum/t...TOPIC_ID=10020

Cor-Bon .380 80 gr DPX
http://www.stoppingpower.net/forum/t...TOPIC_ID=10021

.380 ACP at StevesPages
http://stevespages.com/page8f380acp.html

Preliminary .380 wet pack report for your amusement
http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=232

Gel test today!
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...7146283;start=

.380 Ammunition & Barrel Lengths at recguns.com
http://www.recguns.com/Sources/IVG10.html

UMC JHP/ AE FMJ ACCURACY SHOOT OFF
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...330024;start=0

Simulated "Bone" Wetpack for Sternum
http://usrange.org/smf/index.php?topic=804.0

Setback due to recoil - .380 Seecamp
http://usrange.org/smf/index.php?topic=839.0

.380ACP Federal Hydrashok in gelatin
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=175606

Corbon DPX .380 into newsprint
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...num=1174574610

Cor-Bon DPX .380 in Ham
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...num=1176045806
See reply #4

Finally got the SeeCamp 380 "bone test".......
http://usrange.org/smf/index.php?topic=1161.0

.380 caliber ammo velocity comparisons with various pistols
http://usrange.org/smf/index.php?topic=1044.0

The .44magnum wetpack test (also with .380 Seecamp)
http://usrange.org/smf/index.php?topic=1164.0

Ballistics data - 7 hollow point velocities
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaB...num=1178377727

9mm Versus .380 ACP For Self-Defense
http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aast9mmv380a.htm

[tanksoldier]

For my wife's Bersa .380 we use the 90gr CorBon as the SD load. Over penetration has a lower priority than getting deep enough to hit something vital, and in .380 the CorBon seems to have the penetration issue beat.

[vernonator]

I am upgrading from my Bersa .380 - I am just not confident in the ./380 round. I just purchased a CZ75 compact that is only slightly larger (same height, 1/4" longer, .1" wider) than the Bersa, but gives me 15 9mm rds....

My EDC is still a 1911 Dan Wesson Bobtail Commander....but for the "quick run to the store" or deep cover it will be the CZ....