380 +P - Page 2

Slomo · April 4th, 2008, 01:45 AM

I have run a few mags of +p through my Kel-Tec and not had any problems. I agree with an earlier post; +p for carry and standard for practice. What I have read about lack of expansion/penetration with .380 rounds has convinced me to carry +p for defense.

My situation does not allow me to carry my G19 or 1911 most of the time, so my P3AT is my daily carry - even the wife doesn't know it is in my pocket. Better than nothing, and it shoots small fist sized groups at 25 feet with +p, so I think I could get the job done in a pinch.

dgang · April 12th, 2008, 03:27 PM

I carry a Sig 232 and use Cor-Bon's 90 gr. HP. They do run at their stated Vel. of 1050 fps. and are accurate and have never jammed. However, when I went to the link for BB ammo and saw they stated 1175 fps for a 90 gr. HP and 1125 for 100 gr lead I was greatly impressed. Have any of you shooters out their run them through a chronograph, are their velocities to be believed? If so I'm ordering a few boxes. Good shootin to y'all ! dgang

Dusty Miller · April 16th, 2008, 06:58 PM

My Hornady reloading manual shows a load for a 125 gr. HP-XTP at 1100 fps, the Buffalo Bore loads look a bit light by comparison. However, the switch to the 9mm was a smart move. If you can get a 115 gr. bullet clocking at 1300 fps you'll get 91% one shot stops (according to the Chuck Hawks Cartridge Power Chart-Condensed Version). The same chart shows that a 125 gr. SJHP launched at 1468fps from a 4" .357 mag will give you 96% one shot stops. I'm not planning to stop at one shot if I ever face a SHTF situation, therefore the eight rounds loaded in my PC 327 S&W SHOULD carry the day if I do my part correctly. IF, on the other hand, I happen to be at the other end of the house and have to resort to my Rem. 870.................!!

Cupcake · April 16th, 2008, 07:46 PM

I'm pretty sure that my p3at manual says the gun can shoot +p, but says not to use them often. Just be advised of that. I don't think they're at all necessary in 9mm, but can see why one would be tempted in the .380. FWIW I've chosen DPX.

libertarian5 · April 16th, 2008, 08:52 PM

I posted this somewhere else recently, so I apologize for being redundant. I went to the range a couple of days ago and did this test. Perhaps not truly scientific, but I was impressed. I would love to see someone do a gelatin comparison using this load.

I just got back from doing a little test at the range. I soaked three 2-1/2" thick phone books overnight, then taped them together today. I took my 2-1/2" Colt Python and my 2-1/2" Mustang .380 and tested them side by side. Here are the results in terms of penetration. I shot all the rounds from a distance of 6 feet.

.38 Special 130 Gr Ball Remington UMC 4.5” 4.75”
.38 Special +P 125 Gr JHP 5.25” 5.25”
.380 Blazer Brass FMJ 95 Gr 4.25" 4.25”
.380 Cor Bon 90 Gr JHP 4.25” 4.5”
.380 Gold Dot 90 Gr JHP 4.5” 4.75”
.380 Buffalo Bore Flat Point Lead 100 Gr 6.25” 6.25”

.357 JHP 110 Gr JHP Passed through
.357 Buffalo Bore 180 Gr Solid Lead Passed Through

The .38 special JHP were the only bullets that had any significant expansions. (5/32" and 6/32") The .380 Cor Bon and Gold Dots had almost no expansion and and only marginally better penetration than the Blazer Brass ball ammo. The Buffalo Bore bullets had no expansion but had the most penetration of all the .380 or .38 special rounds. IMO, none of these rounds really has an objectionable recoil.

The .357 rounds all passed through - not enough phone books. I carry the 180 grain Buffalo Bore in my .357 when I am working in swamps in the south, but this was the first time I had shot any of it. It has a lot of recoil. Not something you want to shoot a lot of.

I am now sold upon the Buffalo Bore .380 as my carry round.

April 12th, 2008, 03:27 PM	#12
dgang New Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: colorado Posts: 14	Buffalo Bore's stated velocities I carry a Sig 232 and use Cor-Bon's 90 gr. HP. They do run at their stated Vel. of 1050 fps. and are accurate and have never jammed. However, when I went to the link for BB ammo and saw they stated 1175 fps for a 90 gr. HP and 1125 for 100 gr lead I was greatly impressed. Have any of you shooters out their run them through a chronograph, are their velocities to be believed? If so I'm ordering a few boxes. Good shootin to y'all ! dgang __________________ " I shoot therefore I am "

April 16th, 2008, 07:46 PM	#14
Cupcake VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,730	I'm pretty sure that my p3at manual says the gun can shoot +p, but says not to use them often. Just be advised of that. I don't think they're at all necessary in 9mm, but can see why one would be tempted in the .380. FWIW I've chosen DPX. __________________ Stupidity is not a crime...so you are free to go.

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April 4th, 2008, 01:45 AM	#11
Slomo Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 18	I have run a few mags of +p through my Kel-Tec and not had any problems. I agree with an earlier post; +p for carry and standard for practice. What I have read about lack of expansion/penetration with .380 rounds has convinced me to carry +p for defense. My situation does not allow me to carry my G19 or 1911 most of the time, so my P3AT is my daily carry - even the wife doesn't know it is in my pocket. Better than nothing, and it shoots small fist sized groups at 25 feet with +p, so I think I could get the job done in a pinch.

April 16th, 2008, 06:58 PM	#13
Dusty Miller Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Escalon, CA Posts: 335	My Hornady reloading manual shows a load for a 125 gr. HP-XTP at 1100 fps, the Buffalo Bore loads look a bit light by comparison. However, the switch to the 9mm was a smart move. If you can get a 115 gr. bullet clocking at 1300 fps you'll get 91% one shot stops (according to the Chuck Hawks Cartridge Power Chart-Condensed Version). The same chart shows that a 125 gr. SJHP launched at 1468fps from a 4" .357 mag will give you 96% one shot stops. I'm not planning to stop at one shot if I ever face a SHTF situation, therefore the eight rounds loaded in my PC 327 S&W SHOULD carry the day if I do my part correctly. IF, on the other hand, I happen to be at the other end of the house and have to resort to my Rem. 870.................!!

April 16th, 2008, 08:52 PM	#15
libertarian5 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: 4 Corners Posts: 301	I posted this somewhere else recently, so I apologize for being redundant. I went to the range a couple of days ago and did this test. Perhaps not truly scientific, but I was impressed. I would love to see someone do a gelatin comparison using this load. I just got back from doing a little test at the range. I soaked three 2-1/2" thick phone books overnight, then taped them together today. I took my 2-1/2" Colt Python and my 2-1/2" Mustang .380 and tested them side by side. Here are the results in terms of penetration. I shot all the rounds from a distance of 6 feet. .38 Special 130 Gr Ball Remington UMC 4.5” 4.75” .38 Special +P 125 Gr JHP 5.25” 5.25” .380 Blazer Brass FMJ 95 Gr 4.25" 4.25” .380 Cor Bon 90 Gr JHP 4.25” 4.5” .380 Gold Dot 90 Gr JHP 4.5” 4.75” .380 Buffalo Bore Flat Point Lead 100 Gr 6.25” 6.25” .357 JHP 110 Gr JHP Passed through .357 Buffalo Bore 180 Gr Solid Lead Passed Through The .38 special JHP were the only bullets that had any significant expansions. (5/32" and 6/32") The .380 Cor Bon and Gold Dots had almost no expansion and and only marginally better penetration than the Blazer Brass ball ammo. The Buffalo Bore bullets had no expansion but had the most penetration of all the .380 or .38 special rounds. IMO, none of these rounds really has an objectionable recoil. The .357 rounds all passed through - not enough phone books. I carry the 180 grain Buffalo Bore in my .357 when I am working in swamps in the south, but this was the first time I had shot any of it. It has a lot of recoil. Not something you want to shoot a lot of. I am now sold upon the Buffalo Bore .380 as my carry round.