.380 SD ammo... FMJ or JHP? - Page 2

Hopyard · July 15th, 2009, 06:45 PM

At the short distances most SD use happens, I doubt it will make any difference unless the BG is wearing layers of clothing. I use a very high velocity low weight frangible hollow point. I hope I never find out that I'm wrong.

Conrad · July 15th, 2009, 06:47 PM

Try these. One of the guys I work with swears by these. Don't know anything about them, don't own a .380......yet.

380 Auto +P Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

rmhz1979 · July 15th, 2009, 07:31 PM

I personally carry Hornady xtp's in my Ruger LCP. If I was you I would go with the Hornady Critical Defense.

cmb · July 15th, 2009, 10:32 PM

you can try fiocchi xtrema also, they use the hornady xtp bulletin a fiocchi case etc... but you get 50 vs 20-25 per box... same for like black hills and other who buy the components and load them (that is how I buy gold dots and xtps)

Torrid · July 15th, 2009, 10:44 PM

I just bought my wife a .380 and we decided on FMJ for penetration. I honestly would use FMJ in my gun as well, but .357 would continue to punch holes for a while!

Thanis · July 15th, 2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thanis

Load both. JHP then FMJ then JHP then FMJ, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10thmtn

Agree. Hornady Critical defense in .380 gets about 10" penetration, not quite the 12" minimum (from testing I've seen).

Therefore, I loaded my wife's LCP with alternating CD and FMJ-Flat Points. My understanding is that FMJ-FP does more damage than round-nose FMJ, for better terminal effects.

.380 is borderline. Below .380 I would just load FMJ or FMJ-FP.

10thmtn stated my thoughs much better then I did. Just wanted to add that if it was something like .32 ACP, I would have stated FMJ. Due to a possible penetrationed concern (don't want to be shot by a .32 ACP, but something I think is a variable), concern that the round may not mushroom as advertised (with advertised effect) with something less , and I think FMJ might cycle more reliability. This thought process gets fuzzy once you get down to a .22, and I don't know what I would do.

As 10thmtn stated .380 is borderline, still, from everything I've read, you can get the best of both worlds by alternating .

So:
< .380 (like 9mm) JHP
> .380 (like .32 ACP, .25 ACP, but < .22) FMJ
= .380 alternate (more important to test rounds used cycle properly)

Naturally +P loads (if firearm is rated) adds an additional factor.

LOAF · July 16th, 2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thanis

So:
< .380 (like 9mm) JHP
> .380 (like .32 ACP, .25 ACP, but < .22) FMJ
= .380 alternate (more important to test rounds used cycle properly)

Naturally +P loads (if firearm is rated) adds an additional factor.

I see what you're saying here... but I thiiiink you got your signs backward... greater than .380 would be > .380 right??

OK... so say we decide on alternate... which one comes first... JHP? or FMJ?

Thanis · July 16th, 2009, 03:44 PM

> .380 (like 9mm) JHP
< .380 (like .32 ACP, .25 ACP, but > .22) FMJ
= .380 alternate (more important to test rounds used cycle properly)

I always use FMJ first when I alternate, since I carry with one in the chamber. I'm always a little worried about the bullet setting back into the case, so when I go to the range, I always make sure to use the chambered round, and use a new round as my one in the chamber.

So my logic is based not on performance of the round, but the cost, as the SD / JHP cost more to rotate.

Still with a .380, I would want to give that first shot as good of a chance as possible to make a hole, so one reason to go with FMJ (assuming the SD round was not +P or something).

Hopyard · July 16th, 2009, 06:12 PM

I have done what Thanis suggests. My take is that I (someone else may be different) am extremely unlikely to ever need a defensive shot at anything but belly range. I think this is partly due to my martial arts experiences where one
moves in rather than out--as needed for taking a shot. I'm still struggling with
mental scenarios for choosing an attempted throw or disarm v making space and drawing.

The "sadist" in me says do the disarm and use their knife on them. The realist in me says run back laterally to make room and time for the draw and shot.

Honestly, I've no idea what I would actually do in a real world situation.

I just think my natural instincts-- and they may not be wise instincts-- are to move in. Hence, any gunfire will be up-close, and direct contact.

chiefrcd · July 17th, 2009, 02:53 PM

I have carried Speer Gold Dots Hollow Points and Hydra Shocks, both feed reliably in my Sig 232. I now carry Buffalo Bore exclusively. I have both TMJ and JHP alternated in my magazines. It is a expensive load and a hot load. To each his own.

Buffalo Bore Ammunition | Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business

July 15th, 2009, 07:31 PM	#13
rmhz1979 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 109	I personally carry Hornady xtp's in my Ruger LCP. If I was you I would go with the Hornady Critical Defense. __________________ "No free man shall ever be de-barred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain their right to keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government." - Thomas Jefferson

July 16th, 2009, 03:44 PM	#18
Thanis Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,704	> .380 (like 9mm) JHP < .380 (like .32 ACP, .25 ACP, but > .22) FMJ = .380 alternate (more important to test rounds used cycle properly) I always use FMJ first when I alternate, since I carry with one in the chamber. I'm always a little worried about the bullet setting back into the case, so when I go to the range, I always make sure to use the chambered round, and use a new round as my one in the chamber. So my logic is based not on performance of the round, but the cost, as the SD / JHP cost more to rotate. Still with a .380, I would want to give that first shot as good of a chance as possible to make a hole, so one reason to go with FMJ (assuming the SD round was not +P or something). __________________ NRA Member S&W 642 (no-lock) with .38 Spl +P 135 GR Gold GDHP Glock G31 & G33 with .357 Sig 125 GR. SXT Winchester Ranger

July 17th, 2009, 02:53 PM	#20
chiefrcd Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 130	I have carried Speer Gold Dots Hollow Points and Hydra Shocks, both feed reliably in my Sig 232. I now carry Buffalo Bore exclusively. I have both TMJ and JHP alternated in my magazines. It is a expensive load and a hot load. To each his own. Buffalo Bore Ammunition \| Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business __________________ Have Gun ~ Will Carry S-Safety M-Motivation A-Awareness R-Responsibility T-Training

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

July 15th, 2009, 06:45 PM	#11
Hopyard VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: College Station Posts: 2,863	At the short distances most SD use happens, I doubt it will make any difference unless the BG is wearing layers of clothing. I use a very high velocity low weight frangible hollow point. I hope I never find out that I'm wrong.

July 15th, 2009, 06:47 PM	#12
Conrad Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern Colorado Posts: 118	Try these. One of the guys I work with swears by these. Don't know anything about them, don't own a .380......yet. 380 Auto +P Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

July 15th, 2009, 10:32 PM	#14
cmb Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: florida Posts: 376	you can try fiocchi xtrema also, they use the hornady xtp bulletin a fiocchi case etc... but you get 50 vs 20-25 per box... same for like black hills and other who buy the components and load them (that is how I buy gold dots and xtps)

July 15th, 2009, 10:44 PM	#15
Torrid Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 287	I just bought my wife a .380 and we decided on FMJ for penetration. I honestly would use FMJ in my gun as well, but .357 would continue to punch holes for a while!

July 16th, 2009, 06:12 PM	#19
Hopyard VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: College Station Posts: 2,863	I have done what Thanis suggests. My take is that I (someone else may be different) am extremely unlikely to ever need a defensive shot at anything but belly range. I think this is partly due to my martial arts experiences where one moves in rather than out--as needed for taking a shot. I'm still struggling with mental scenarios for choosing an attempted throw or disarm v making space and drawing. The "sadist" in me says do the disarm and use their knife on them. The realist in me says run back laterally to make room and time for the draw and shot. Honestly, I've no idea what I would actually do in a real world situation. I just think my natural instincts-- and they may not be wise instincts-- are to move in. Hence, any gunfire will be up-close, and direct contact.