Top .380 Self-Defense Rounds?

[Mike H.]

Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Top .380 Self-Defense Rounds?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/top-380-self-defense-rounds/.

 

[Jack K]

The ammo you reviewed is good premium ammo which should always be carried for self defense. However in my research in gel test the prime top round for expansion and penetration is the federal premium 90g hydra shock, it's also bonded keeps its weight and doesn't fragment. Just a thought keep up the good work.

 

[LDB]

Probably Buffalo Bore.

 

[KillerFord1977]

Probably Buffalo Bore.

I run BB rounds in my .380 as well for SD rounds.
Hard cast flat nose for my Browning 1911 .380.

 

[BookemDano]

I wish expansion was covered in the article.

I use the American Gunner in my Lcp's, believing that the xtp bullet has proven good expansion in short barrels.

 

[Annihilator]

What I use in my Beretta PICO….

 

[Biggfoot44]

( My biases are showing )

That's an Oxymoron.

 

[Fred613]

The .380 is better than nothing but the greater velocity of the 9mm is definitely a better option for those who can withstand the slight increase felt recoil.

 

[Steve Boat]

I thought great when I heard that the Hellcat would be in 380, I was disappointed when I read it is not any smaller than the 9MM, I was hoping that Springfield would make a small 380 like a Kahr. Knowing that Springfield make stuff that works very well. Hope they make one like 4.8 long and .8 wide soon.

 

[BarryinIN]

If I were to carry a .380, penetration would be my concern. I’d load either Buffalo Bore 100 cast, Underwood 100 cast, or the old Remington 102 Golden Saber.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I thought great when I heard that the Hellcat would be in 380, I was disappointed when I read it is not any smaller than the 9MM,

The intentions were for less recoil , and easier to rack slide . Which it does .

 

[Jester560]

My nuclear handloads with Lehigh Extreme Defense bullets on top.

 

[3L120]

The .380 is better than nothing but the greater velocity of the 9mm is definitely a better option for those who can withstand the slight increase felt recoil.

Agreed, but if all you have is a .380, …..

 

[Jester560]

The .380 is better than nothing but the greater velocity of the 9mm is definitely a better option for those who can withstand the slight increase felt recoil.

Depends on how it is loaded. I get 9mm performance out of mine. However, the loads I use are out of any reloading manual specs. YMMV

 

[MN.Militia]

I use both Hornady Critical Defense and Underwood's Extreme Defender +P. Both solid contenders. They feed my NAA .380 Guardian and soon a S&W Bodyguard 2.0 - which will become my dedicated backup piece.

 

[somorris]

Thanks for the link, Mike. Interesting information.

 

[Lock n' Load]

My 380 SD round of choice is Black Hills Honey Badger. I made the switch after finding the SD JHP's I was using had a 30% to 40% failure to expand and over penetrated in ballistic gel tests. That said, I carry the 380 only in warm weather when would be miscreants aren't layered up in heavy garments. I liked this ammo so much that I switched my 2 9mm's to the Honey Badger ammo as well. All meet the FBI penetration standards. Accurate and runs 100% in all my EDC's 3" barrels. YMMV