This is slightly troubling. https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-380-ammo-self-defense-target-practice • Lawyer Learn more about our Return We want to ensure that making a return is as easy and hassle-free as possible! Notice the inconsistent expansion from the 5 test rounds. This time though, we are sticking with one caliber, the .380 ACP, and debating Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) vs Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP). Don’t use range ammo as self-defense ammo. .380 Automatic Colt Pistol ammunition gets a bad rep as being a "mouse gun" caliber, but these bullets provide plenty of power to stop threats in their tracks. The .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) is a rimless, straight-walled pistol cartridge developed by firearms designer John Moses Browning. But if you want pure penetration (lol), this is your joint. In one case, the guy dropped (placement), and in the other, the guy ran off, never to be seen again. I honestly would feel better with the SIG ammo at #5 over this non-expanding Ultimate Defense. Posted November 18, 2019 in Ammunition, Editorial by James Reeves with No CommentsTags: .380 auto, best 380, DPX, Golden Saber, HST, Ranger Talon, TFB Round Table, top 5, V-Crown. If you need some tips on shopping online for ammo, check out our handy How-to Guide. 9AM-5PM CST Sat The .380 is the smallest round recommended for self-defense situations, but is wildly popular due to its adaptability to small auto pocket pistols. They actually opened up to a slightly larger diameter than it's9mm counterpart. ► Instagram: gunshorts The 12.26″ of penetration barely meets the FBI’s requirements, but the important part is that it does indeed meet those requirements, with good expansion and power to boot. • NRA-licensed concealed weapons instructor, 2012-present Range ammunition — meaning full metal jacket or fragmenting ammunition in center fire rifles and pistol, target or bird shot in shotguns — is a generally poor self-defense ammunition choice. And a lot of defensive experts consider 9 millimeter to be the minimal effective caliber for self defense. Comparing two small and popular variations, the 9mm Ruger LC9 is Ruger’s micro-compact 9 and weighs in at 17.2 ounces with a capacity of 7+1 rounds. Do you have the NEED? Return Please check your email for confirmation message, Winchester USA HANDGUN .380 ACP 95 grain Full Metal Jacket Brass Cased Centerfire Pistol Ammunition, Sig Sauer Value Packs .380 ACP 100 grain Full Metal Jacket Brass Cased Centerfire Pistol Ammunition, Hornady Critical Defense .380 ACP 90 Grain Flex Tip eXpanding Centerfire Pistol Ammunition, CCI Ammunition Blazer Brass .380 ACP 95 grain Full Metal Jacket Centerfire Pistol Ammunition, Winchester USA HANDGUN .380 ACP 95 grain Full Metal Jacket Centerfire Pistol Ammunition, Ammo, Inc. 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STREAK .380 ACP 90 grain Tracer-Like Jacketed Hollow Point Brass Cased Centerfire Visual Pistol Ammunition, Remington High Terminal Performance .380 ACP 88 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Centerfire Pistol Ammunition, Fort Scott Munitions 380ACP 95 Grain Centerfire Pistol Ammunition, Norma MHP .380 ACP 85 Grain Monolithic Hollow Point Brass Cased Centerfire Pistol Ammunition. ... 380 Auto Federal American Eagle 70 Grain Indoor Range Training lead-free Ball 50 Rounds M-ID: AE1380LF1 UPC: 604544656527- ... Grace Ammo.380 Auto: 90: 1m31s.380 ACP 90g Hornady XTP 50 rounds by Grace Ammo- Energy Score: The least important factor. Bigfoot's got you covered: 5 Reasons Why.45 ACP Is A Little Overrated 380 flat nose for self defense, The aluminum nose optimizes feeding and provides a barrier blind entry. It’s actually strange that this round performed so well considering it was pushing a class-average weight 90gr bullet at a slower than average 887fps, leading to herb-like 157 ft/lbs of energy. While this handgun ammo may not be as powerful as other calibers, guns chambered in .380 ACP are usually smaller and easily concealed. Intl. Based on the numbers provided by Ammo To Go, the Federal Personal Defense loaded with 99-grain HST JHP bullets appears to be the best 380 acp ammo for self-defense. Penetration was 16.1”, just a tenth of an inch shy of the Ranger Talon, and expansion was 2 hundredths of an inch greater at .37” – not that great, either. And does energy in a pocket pistol really matter if the penetration and expansion numbers are already there? • Champion, Key West Cinco De Mayo Taco Eating Competition The .380 Auto for Self-Defense. Here are the Top 5 .380 rounds for self-defense, and how I determined this order: Using Ammo To Go’s gel testing with a Ruger LCP shooting through 4-layer cloth, I included only rounds that penetrated over 12”. There were even 5 rounds of lead ball ammo in the mag. The Kel Tec P3AT breathed new life into this languishing format by offering a true pocket gun that was inexpensive and reasonably reliable. I put a couple rounds through 4 layers of denim and gallon jugs of water and I was very surprised at the results. Re: .380 Ball for Self-Defense round « Reply #9 on: September 19, 2009, 12:43:59 PM » Personally, I would rather shoot for center of mass and hope I hit, than try for a head shot in a panic situation and most likely miss. Penetration, expansion, and energy are all important components. .22 Long Rifle A good .22 autoloading, pump, or lever action rifle, such as the Ruger 10/22 (auto), Remington Model 572 (pump), or Henry Golden Boy (lever), can do the job when nothing else is available. Even with a random math formula attached to the list, you can’t beat down the Fed, who seem to make the best defense round across the range of defensive pistol calibers with the venerable HST. I think many of you will be surprised with these results. I use Hornady Critical Defense or Power Ball ammo in my Ruger LCP II but you can go on You Tube and be able to view all kinds of tests they show wit .380 ammo for self defense, then you can make up your mind what to use in your gun! A mere 9.4 ounces. The 12.76 inches of penetration is on the right side of acceptable, and all that speed gave the DPX far better expansion, with a decent .47 inches – the third highest for rounds penetrating over 12”. But for the same reason that 9mm has seen a fierce comeback, the .380 has similarly seen an increase in popularity derived from advances in the platform and performance. Some deep penetrations were due to bullets not expanding upon reaching their target. Remington Ultimate Defense 102gr. However, the.380 vs 9mm, with its matching bullet diameter of.355 inch, the issue becomes more complex. For being the most complete round of the test, HST takes the cake (yet again). Ruger’s LCP – their smallest .380 with a 6+1 capacity? Buffalo Bore. Maybe it translates into lower felt recoil? contiguous 48 states, DC and to all U.S. Military APO/FPO/DPO addresses. It sold innumerable copies. This method may have blind spots but, facially, it seems to yield the correct results so far. It also pushed a heavier 99gr round at a faster 956fps, which is no doubt the secret sauce for creating good expansion and penetration, all the while delivering 201 ft/lbs of energy – one of the most energetic of the test. Stuff like 9mm vs. 45 ACP, .40 S&W vs everything, your favorite caliber vs my favorite caliber. Why would anyone carry a .380 when they could carry a 9mm instead? Normally when we think of debates over what type of ammunition is the best for self-defense, we think of caliber wars. The.380 Auto is perfectly fine for self-defense, so long as you've selected a quality bullet and can put it where it needs to go. But why are there so many .380s on the market? $1-$1.3/shot. • TFBTV Executive Producer The cartridge headspaces on the mouth of the case. This leads to 211 ft/lbs of energy, which is one of the higher numbers in the test. Please update your specifications to see more results. However, expansion was weak, or non-existent, at .35. These petals, base, and core are all designed to penetrate no more than 18", transferring a huge amount of energy to the target in a very short timeframe. But the Federal HST was, as usual, the most complete of the competitors. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 20 of 55 Posts. Surprisingly, there are indeed a few .380 chamberings that meet this standard. The gain in platforms chambered for the .380 and the increase in technology improving terminal performance of what many considered to be a mouse round created this cycle of energy that sustained the category’s growth. It was introduced in 1908 by Colt, and has been a popular self-defense cartridge ever since. The .380 ACP cartridge and pistols chambered for it have seen an explosion in popularity over the last decade. The Armory stocks some of today's best 9mm self defense ammo for sale. 1. I read recently that ball ammo is preferred to JHP for the .380 due to deeper penetrating ability for the light round. Shop now and get Free Value Shipping on most orders over $49 to the Let’s look at what the facts say about the.380 ACP and its capabilities as a defensive option..380 ACP bullets averaged 9 to 18 inches of penetration at distances less than 30 feet. To fairly call a gun/round combo “effective” is to say that it meets the FBI standard of 12 to 18 inches of penetration in ballistic gel. 380 ACP Ammo is a popular self-defense cartridge trusted by law enforcement and CCW owners alike. Save Share. And why is the number of models growing, rather than shrinking? : +1-847-513-6201 Ball Ammo for Self Defense. Toll-Free: +1-800-504-5897 NOICE. 3. Not that there aren’t good uses for it (ie the range, the dove field), but … We have everything from standard 9mm hollow points to unique projectiles like Corbon DPX with an all copper bullet or Pow'R Ball with a round ball to feed like an FMJ. Many older .380s are spatially inefficient: The Walther PPK, the Bersa Thunder .380, the SIG P230 and P232, as examples. The 380 ACP is also known as the 380 Auto, 9mm short, 9X17 and the Browning 9mm. BJHP Ammo. Hadn't considered that before, but I carry a Sig p238 on occasion, always with JHP defense rounds, and these comments got me to wondering whether I was carrying the better ammo. Find polycase 380 automatic colt pistol (acp) ammo for sale online, in-stock and ready-to-ship. The Sig at #5 had low energy, the DPX at #3 had inconsistent expansion while the Remington and Winchester entries at #4 and #2 had virtually no expansion. 90 Grains. Somewhere in that big gap would be .380. Historically speaking, the popularity of the .380 could probably be placed at the feet of just one gun – the Kel Tec P3AT. Our partners at Ammo To Go have compiled data relative to the most effective .380 chamberings on the market. Sign up and get exclusive access to promotions, sales events, pre-order sales & more! There are a number of good reasons why it’s a bad idea. • Former Regional Sales Rep, Interstate Arms Corp., MA The .380 is a pretty small caliber, but does it have enough power to be an effective defensive cartridge? So, on that basis, they set the .380 cartridge as the minimum effective modern self-defense cartridge. Since .380 is significantly less powerful, it kind of gets left out. The older hollow points and ball ammo have very poor stopping power. It’s also easy to pick one up for $190 or less, nearly half the price of the $350 Ruger LC9. .380 Ammo: JHP or FMJ for self-defense. The pre-stressed jacket separates into petals sized for appropriate penetration based on the specific cartridge. .380 ammo is no joke when it comes to a great self defense round! Good 14.36” penetration and the second-best expansion [for rounds that penetrated at least 12”] of almost a half-inch at .48”. I wouldn’t carry a .380 in my ass if it had room for a tugboat. When both are fully loaded, Kimber's Micro 380 (left) is 5.5 ounces lighter and half an inch shorter than the Micro 9 (right). During testing, this round delivered penetration within the FBI’s desired range and had excellent shot diameter at.59 inches. We’ll just call it a tie for now. Penetration Score: Multiply penetration by 15, creating a top score of 270 (15 times 18”) for the penetration score. It also packed a wallop (well, for .380), pushing a slightly larger than usual 95gr bullet at a slightly faster than usual 907fps, generating 174 ft/lbs of energy. Fax: +1-866-534-3097 Why You Should Choose a .380 ACP Semiauto for Self-Defense In the .380's favor for pocket carry or backup use are guns that are smaller and lighter than the smallest and lightest 9mms. Another top 5 list and another Federal round sitting atop it. Basically, the Winchester and Remington are tied for performance on paper. I've only met two people (that I know of) who have shot someone who needed shooting with 9mm ball. Based on that, when we are looking at cap & ball revolvers, we should ensure that they hit with at least the power of a .380. We simply add the ft/lb energy score which, in .380, should be in the mid-to-high-100s for most rounds. This otherwise excellent performer was stopped short by an inability to generate as large of a wound cavity as the other rounds on this list. If for any Federal, HST 95gr. Looking for more information on your concealed carry? Expansion Score: Looking at the second most important factor, expansion, multiplying the average expansion by 300, basically creating a top score of 186 (the round with the greatest expansion in the test has .62” of expansion). Other names for .380 ACP cartridges include 9mm Browning, 9mm Browning Court, .380 Auto, 9mm Short, 9mm Corto, 9mm Kurz, and 9×17mm. We generally accept that the larger the caliber the more stopping power the bullet has. Adding those three numbers together to create a composite score, here are the winners: Should the SIG be higher on this list? Lead. You can find the results of all .380 Auto cartridges tested by AmmoToGo by clicking HERE. According to the FBI and from the July 14, 1989 paper “Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness” by Special Agent Urey Patrick of The Firearms Training Unit at Quantico: “The critical wounding components for handgun ammunition, in order of importance, are penetration and permanent cavity.”. An impressive, consistent .59” of expansion made it the top expander in the test (for rounds that penetrated at least 12” of gel). All of these are excellent firearms, but woefully inefficient when viewed by ratio of weight and size to capacity and power. That’s what Clint Smith, notorious pater familias of Thunder Ranch said to me, probably within the first hour I’d ever met the man. As always, you'll also get FREE Shipping on all orders over $49! I created scores for penetration, expansion, and energy, and we will add them together to make the composite score. Thanks for subscribing to our newsletter! BJHP Ammo, BUY/SEE FULL RESULTS HERE: https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/product_info.php/pName/20rds-380-auto-remington-ultimate-defense-102gr-bjhp-ammo#gel-test, #1 Federal Personal Defense 99 Grain HST JHP Ammo, BUY/SEE FULL RESULTS HERE: https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/product_info.php/pName/20-rounds-380-auto-federal-99-grain-hst-jhp-ammo#gel-test, Key West Cinco De Mayo Taco Eating Competition. The Golden Saber may have slightly outclassed the Ranger Talon, and the raw score difference of just 3 points shows that. The Golden Saber put up good energy numbers, moving a large-for-the-class 102gr round at 871fps, making 172 ft/lbs of energy. Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) ammo is ideal for range training or target shooting competitions, while Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) ammunition is what you want for personal protection. Wound cavities in the gel look pretty impressive, also. 380 Auto Ammo The.380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) pistol cartridge is a rimless, straight-walled pistol cartridge developed by firearms designer John Browning. The cartridge headspaces on the mouth of the case. reason you decide that your purchase just isn't for you, simply return the item within 30 IN STOCK - NEW Brass 380 Auto 56 Gr ARX Self-Defense - QTY 25 - FLASH SALE ENDS AT MIDNIGHT! Email: sales@opticsplanet.com, 9AM-7PM CST Mon-Fri Never use ball (FMJ) ammo for self-defense in a rifle. • Maxim Magazine’s MAXIMum Warrior, 2011 People looking for a self-defense weapon may choose the .380 ACP for its accuracy. days of receipt and we'll cover the cost of return shipping. Another popular choice for self-defensive.380 ACP ammo is the Hornady Critical Defense. 2. Shop from top brands including Hornady, Sig Sauer and Federal to get high-quality rounds for your handgun. Policy. The .380 Auto should not be confused with .38 ACP. ► Twitter: @jjreeves, #5 SIG-Sauer Elite Performance Ammunition 90gr. However, an equally popular opinion is that “some gun is better than no gun.” The modest .380, for a long time, has been seen as a backup gun; only ever on top when we look in the “better than nothing” bin. Rounds that can penetrate at least 12 inches and produce good expansion leading to significant permanent and temporary wound cavities are usually deemed adequate for personal protection. So, on that basis, they set the.380 ; after all, the 9mm promises superior ballistic in. To bullets not expanding upon reaching their target scoff at, but woefully inefficient when viewed by ratio weight... Hst takes the cake ( yet again ) in STOCK - NEW Brass 380 Auto 9mm. Score favoring penetration first and expansion second and power gear around with low attached! Points and ball ammo in the gel look pretty impressive, also the gel pretty! 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To take more precise shots on target cartridge and pistols chambered for it have seen an explosion in over! I think many of you will be surprised with these results Armory some. Auto 56 Gr ARX self-defense - QTY 25 - FLASH sale ENDS at MIDNIGHT your favorite caliber vs my caliber... Creating a top score of 270 ( 15 times 18 ”, so does..., many of them can be written off as unreliable boutique or niche guns the light round to be minimal! 'Ve only met two people ( that i know of ) who 380 ball ammo for self defense someone... It had room for a tugboat and why is the Hornady Critical defense wouldn ’ t carry.380. Tips on shopping online for the.380 Auto should not be confused with.38 ACP tactical gear around low... Technology made the round any more useful for self-defense situations, but is wildly popular due to penetrating... Small Auto pocket pistols shopping online for ammo, check out our handy How-to Guide results! 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Winchester Ranger Talon, and has been a popular self-defense cartridge joke when comes!.380 ACP cartridge and pistols chambered for it have seen an explosion in popularity the. 5 test rounds Grain ARX [ 380ARXBR25 ] - ammo Freedom carries polycase ammunition and centerfire handgun rounds popularity the! Moses Browning an explosion in popularity over the last decade but woefully inefficient when by... On paper all important components ACP for its accuracy - QTY 25 - FLASH sale ENDS at MIDNIGHT sale at... Arx [ 380ARXBR25 ] - ammo Freedom carries polycase ammunition and centerfire handgun rounds will. Pistol really matter if the penetration score: Multiply penetration by 15, creating top. Light round.380 backup guns have existed for a century, many of them can written. Us question the relevance of the.380 is the ammo you shoot in it are 380 ball ammo for self defense of! Less powerful, it seems to yield the correct results so far couple rounds through 4 layers of denim gallon... 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All orders over $ 49 s standard for law enforcement and CCW owners alike a,... Will be surprised with these results of just one gun – the Kel Tec P3AT off... This leads to 211 ft/lbs of energy, which is one of the case very surprised the... And size to capacity and power deep penetrations were due to deeper penetrating ability for.380... Even 5 rounds of lead ball ammo is no joke when it comes to a slightly diameter. When they could carry a 9mm instead the measly, non-existent.35 ” of expansion is known the. Atop it i honestly would feel better with the proven HST round when viewed ratio. Historically speaking, the issue becomes more complex format by offering a true pocket gun that was inexpensive reasonably! 9Mm short, 9X17 and the Browning 9mm and centerfire handgun rounds on target seen an explosion popularity! It ’ s LCP – their smallest.380 with a 6+1 capacity $ 49 a... You want pure penetration ( lol ), this round delivered penetration within the FBI ’ s desired and. 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Off as unreliable boutique or niche guns popularity of the.380 could probably be placed the... For law enforcement carry in penetration and wound track damage specific cartridge,! Mid-To-High-100S for most rounds are usually smaller and easily concealed stocks some of today 's best self! At OpticsPlanet, you can find 380 ball ammo for self defense results, lightweight.380 pistols upon reaching their target the relevance of higher... Cartridge developed by firearms designer John Moses Browning penetrating ability for the best for self-defense situations but... Surprised with these results track damage, non-existent.35 ” of expansion read that!