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Speer Gold Dot for all things. It was the only hollow point ammo my Keltec 3at would feed when I had it and it shot great.
It’s also all I use in 9mm and .45, and .357 Sig once upon a time. Good stuff. |
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Funny...when I read the thread title I remembered you telling us about that and it was the first thing that popped into my mind. Came here to @ you. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes |
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Hornady XTP dropped my nephew like a sack of potatoes when dad shot him. @Bama-Shooter |
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Hornady XTP dropped my nephew like a sack of potatoes when dad shot him. Damn. Six years ago. |
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Best self defense ammo for Ruger .380 LCP? View Quote |
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Funny...when I read the thread title I remembered you telling us about that and it was the first thing that popped into my mind. Came here to @ you. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes |
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It's funny when I see these .380 threads. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes |
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I’m sure you have a good chuckle when you read people saying it’s not effective too. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Hornady XTP dropped my nephew like a sack of potatoes when dad shot him. They told us he died three times on the helicopter. Not sure how true that is. |
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Ammo Quest .380 Final Wrapup: finding the BEST ammo for a .380ACP pistol
ShootingTheBull410 Published on Nov 28, 2013 Twenty-seventh in a series of a quest to find the overall best ammunition for modern micro-compact 380 ACP pistols (such as the Taurus TCP 738, the Ruger LCP, Sig P238, Beretta Pico, Kel-Tec P3AT or S&W Bodyguard or any other popular 380 micro-pistol using a barrel length of around 2.8"). This is the final wrap-up. All testing is complete, so in this video I go through what the results were and classify and categorize the ammo to determine which performs best and which I would use for self defense purposes. Final Results of the .380 ACP Ammo Quest Fiocchi Extrema XTP(TM) 90-grain XTP JHP, part # 380XTP25 Average Velocity in feet per second791 Average Expanded Diameter.414” (10.5 mm) Average Maximum Diameter.455” (11.6 mm) Average Retained Weight89.96 grains MacPherson Wound Trauma Indicator27.72 Penetration in Bare Gelatin, inches:12.88 13.25 13.50 13.63 13.88 MacPherson WTI in Denim Test25.40 Penetration in Denim gel, inches:14.25 14.50 15.25 18.75 ![]() Precision One .380 ACP 90 grain XTP Average Velocity in feet per second810 Average Expanded Diameter.413” (10.5 mm) Average Maximum Diameter.446” (11.3 mm) Average Retained Weight89.78 grains MacPherson Wound Trauma Indicator28.28 Penetration in Bare Gelatin, inches:13.75 13.50 13.75 13.88 13.63 MacPherson WTI in Denim Test25.72 Penetration in Denim gel, inches:12.75 13.25 13.75 14.38 ![]() HPR HyperClean XTP 90-grain JHP Average Velocity in feet per second789 Average Expanded Diameter.414” (10.5 mm) Average Maximum Diameter.454” (11.5 mm) Average Retained Weight89.96 grains MacPherson Wound Trauma Indicator27.11 Penetration in Bare Gelatin, inches:13.50 12.50 13.88 14.00 14.50 MacPherson WTI in Denim Test23.03 Penetration in Denim gel, inches:12.75 13.50 14.25 14.88 15.00 ![]() |
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Polycase is light, super fast, hardened bullet that doesn't expand. I carry Critical Defense, but I experimented with Polycase and was impressed. With its notches, and speed (thus speed of rotation), it "weaponizes" soft tissue and bodily fluids. I have a video of me shooting a watermelon with an LCPII using Polycase. It blew the watermelon completely in half. Interior was largely liquified, and seeds were embedded in the hull. I have the video on my phone. I'll try to figure out how to get it on ARFCOM. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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I've heard that the Polycase bullets perform well, but I have no experience with them. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/51036/Polycase_jpg-1080350.JPG I have a video of me shooting a watermelon with an LCPII using Polycase. It blew the watermelon completely in half. Interior was largely liquified, and seeds were embedded in the hull. I have the video on my phone. I'll try to figure out how to get it on ARFCOM. ![]() |
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Luckygunner.com tests most ammo in ballistic gelatin with denim layers. The Hornady critical defense did well if I recall, the one with the silicone plug in the hollow point.
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Usually use Hornady XTP or Critical Defense which it XTP with a plastic tip. Sometimes switch out to Federal HST. View Quote ![]() I'll pick up some Fiocchi XTP next time I see it just to see how it cycles, it's much cheaper than the Critical Defense for sure. |
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I just keep fmj in mine. I wear it on an ankle holster since i'm driving or behind a desk quite a bit and not really a gun friendly environment.
I should probably get some good ammo for it, but I normally carry a g43 aiwb also. |
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As mentioned earlier...
Lucky Gunner has a nice compilation of various load tests. ![]() I picked the Hornady Critical Defense based on this information. Lucky Gunner Lab Test |
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Hornady bullets seem to offer the best gel test performance, with good penetration and some expansion.
Published results on pig carcass tests tend to show very little if any expansion across the board with various bullets fired from very short barreled .380 or .38 spl handguns. I’d consider gel tests of .380 bullets to be an absolute best case. If the XTP feeds reliably then go for it. At worst you have an expensive FMJ. Best case scenario, you get some expansion. |
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https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/Well-after-6-months-and-9-days-later-my-dad-was-cleared-in-his-self-defense-shooting-/5-1523966/ Damn. Six years ago. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Hornady XTP dropped my nephew like a sack of potatoes when dad shot him. Damn. Six years ago. |
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Sounds like the xtp not only stopped him but helped him find God. Hard to put a price on that. Sounds like xtp is the way to go. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Hornady XTP dropped my nephew like a sack of potatoes when dad shot him. Damn. Six years ago. |
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Cool, I'd like to see that. ![]() View Quote Polycase .380 vs Watermelon ETA link to .gif. @67Firebird Video here: https://gph.is/g/4zgxXqw The pieces are as they fell. You can see the entry point is at about 2:30. The trajectory curves to about 11:30. I have read that such curved trajectory is what Polycase does. In the bottom half you can see seeds/flesh embedded in the hull at around 12:00 and around 6:00 in the top half. ![]() |
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There was a YT vid showing that Fiocchi hollow point worked better than most of the expensive .380 ammo during gel tests with denim. If you search for it you'll find it...I'm too lazy to do it for you.
.380 is simply 9mm short. Self defense ammo only has to be effective at a very short range (about 25ft) which is why most guys practice without even using the sights for SD...if you need to take a 50 yard shot perp is not a threat and it will not end well for you. |
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I have shot mine with and carry it with the Underwood +p with the XTP bullet. Probably shouldn’t since it is +p. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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XTP XTP XTP XTP Bullets that don't expand penetrate approximately 32" Bullets with impressive expansion have under-pentration is the 6-11" range. The XTP expands slightly allowing it to have adequate penetration with some expansion. I use Underwood with XTPs I use +p in my P3AT. And have for a long time. |
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I have been using Hornady Critical Defense 90gr FTX and love it for a .380.
It expands more than the XTP and read an article on how horrible most of the .380 ammo is, most just do not penetrate far enough to even pass the 12" mark. They said the FTX was their preferred ammo, it was realiable and expands decently and passes the more than 12". Hornady XTP or FTX, can't go wrong with ether!! . |
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As mentioned earlier... Lucky Gunner has a nice compilation of various load tests. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/383515/6F0F1D79-2EA2-4DFE-9898-694065C8D343-1080619.png I picked the Hornady Critical Defense based on this information. Lucky Gunner Lab Test View Quote Barrier: Four Layer Fabric Test gun: Glock 42" ![]() |
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"Medium: Clear Ballistics Synthetic Gel Barrier: Four Layer Fabric Test gun: Glock 42" ![]() View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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As mentioned earlier... Lucky Gunner has a nice compilation of various load tests. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/383515/6F0F1D79-2EA2-4DFE-9898-694065C8D343-1080619.png I picked the Hornady Critical Defense based on this information. Lucky Gunner Lab Test Barrier: Four Layer Fabric Test gun: Glock 42" ![]() And it's ALOT of bullets! Now cross reference with tests done in other materials. And it gives a better picture. |
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Quoted: "Medium: Clear Ballistics Synthetic Gel Barrier: Four Layer Fabric Test gun: Glock 42" ![]() View Quote Seriously, not being a smart ass. |
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I run Hornady Critical Defense and ball in my LCP.
First round is Critical Defense, alternating with ball for the rest of the magazine. I figure if the hollow point doesn't get it done, a followup round of ball might. Then rinse and repeat. |
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Due to the plentiful gel test videos out there, this is no longer a difficult question and ignorance is no longer an excuse. Carry what you want, but the answers are out there.
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Enjoy...Great 380 info View Quote |
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XTP or gold dot in my G42. Both 100% reliable and very accurate out to 15 yards.
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View Quote ![]() I spent some time and the Extrema came out near the top of the heap every time, in just about every category. Remember, we're are talking 380, so it won't be stellar to begin with. It was enough that is what my 75 year old mother uses and if it's good enough for her (it really isn't but that is the gun she bought) it should be good enough for anyone. Happy Shopping |
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Quoted: The still photo is the final result. I converted the 4 second video to a .gif; gotta figure out how to post that... Polycase .380 vs Watermelon ETA link to .gif. @67Firebird Video here: https://gph.is/g/4zgxXqw The pieces are as they fell. You can see the entry point is at about 2:30. The trajectory curves to about 11:30. I have read that such curved trajectory is what Polycase does. In the bottom half you can see seeds/flesh embedded in the hull at around 12:00 and around 6:00 in the top half. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/810/20170520_150358_jpg-1081761.JPG View Quote |
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@LibertyShip Thank you for posting it.
That looks pretty good; I'd have expected anything that doesn't expand to just zip through. ![]() |
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90 grain XTP bullet made by Hornady: the gold standard for reliable penetration to 14" and expansion to .44 cal using denim backed calibrated ballistical gel by multiple tests.
No issues with feeding in multiple LCP gen 1, gen 2, customs so far tried. Find this projectile in Hornady American Gunner, Hornady Custom, Fiocchi Extrema, Precision One. Hornady Critcal Defense does not use the same projectile and actually has poor penetration, ie 10" , but reliable expansion. |
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90 grain XTP bullet made by Hornady: the gold standard for reliable penetration to 14" and expansion to .44 cal using denim backed calibrated ballistical gel by multiple tests. No issues with feeding in multiple LCP gen 1, gen 2, customs so far tried. Find this projectile in Hornady American Gunner, Hornady Custom, Fiocchi Extrema, Precision One. Hornady Critcal Defense does not use the same projectile and actually has poor penetration, ie 10" , but reliable expansion. View Quote https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#380ACP |
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I carry Precision One XTPs, great reviews on YouTube and elsewhere. Have been 100% reliable in my Sig P238.
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Lucky Gunner shows an average penetration of 13.2". https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#380ACP View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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90 grain XTP bullet made by Hornady: the gold standard for reliable penetration to 14" and expansion to .44 cal using denim backed calibrated ballistical gel by multiple tests. No issues with feeding in multiple LCP gen 1, gen 2, customs so far tried. Find this projectile in Hornady American Gunner, Hornady Custom, Fiocchi Extrema, Precision One. Hornady Critcal Defense does not use the same projectile and actually has poor penetration, ie 10" , but reliable expansion. https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#380ACP ![]() Ammo Quest .380 Final Wrapup: finding the BEST ammo for a .380ACP pistol Tomac |
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