Thinking in terms of self defense, I'm asking for your recommendations on the best ammunition in .380ACP? I'm looking for the cartridge that'll give me the one shot stop. Opinions??

I used to carry Winchester Silvertips in a Walther PP but I never shot anything other than paper with it. I chose that round because I found a table showing percentage of stopping abilities for various calibers and rounds. The table was based on real world case studies. If I remember correctly, two shots from the .380 with Silvertips had a better chance of "stopping" than a single shot with the best .45 acp round listed. But that study was done some years ago.

You can get a more up-to-date comparison of the one-shot stopping power of various .380 rounds here: http://www.handloads.com/misc/...aliber=10&Weight=All

I think the difference between 68%, 69%, 70%, and 71% is negligible. I would try the top performers and choose the one that feeds and extracts most reliably. You might also find your gun doesn't shoot a particular load accurately and rule that out.

Proper modern tests come from the FBI Miami shooting experience. They include shooting through layers of denim then into the test media. For the .380 the best might be Corbon's all copper Barnes bullet.Real world case studies don't mean much as there are too many variables.A good source of info is www.stoppingpower.com

Any of the major manufactures best JHPs.

I carry Win silver tips n mine.

One shot stops are nice to think about but in real life you can't not count on it.

Thats why they make repeaters.

MagTech first defense
http://www.magtechammunition.com/sitepages/pid59.php

Thank you for your recommendations so far, gentlemen. And I appreciate the websites!

Tough to find a magic load for the .380. I really like the Winchester Ranger T-series ammo.

I carry the WW Silvertips in my 380. I've only shot them into milk jugs filled with water, but I know the gun will not jam using them. The Ranger ammo is too hot for my Beretta Model 84. It will jam.

Here's Ayoob's take on .380

.380 ACP (9mm Short, 9x17mm, 9mm Kurz)

Now we're getting into some decent stopping power. The three or four best .380 JHP rounds have better stopping power than ANY bullet fired out of 2" barrel .38 Special snub-nose. All of the Big Five make good hollowpoints for this caliber. The Remington 88 grain JHP is the most reliably-feeding hollowpoint but slightly less effective than the Hydra-shok or Cor-Bon. Reliability is crucial, and thus you must test the rounds before carrying.

I recommend the following two cartridges above all others:

-Federal 90 gr. Hydra-shok (P380HS1 H) - the best standard-pressure .380 JHP load, period.
-Cor-Bon 90 gr. JHP - the most powerful .380 hollowpoint, bar none.

These are the two best .380 loads, and I recommend them for these guns:
SIG/Sauer P230, Beretta 84/85, Browning BDA, CZ-83, H&K P7K3, Walther PPK and PPK/s. The Russian, East German, Chinese and Bulgarian Makarov pistols are apparently perfectly reliable with the hot Cor-Bon, and the strong all-steel construction of these guns should stand up to an infinite amount of these potent rounds. I have heard that the Colt does also well with the hot Cor-Bon JHP, which you should definitely look into if you own a Colt .380. You have better stopping power than any .38 snub-nose revolver (the long-time favorite concealment sidearm) when you load your .380 with these two rounds.

Other good .380 ACP jacketed hollowpoints:

- Remington 102 gr. Golden Saber BJHP (GS380M) - Another excellent .380 load (the BJHP stands for "Brass Jacketed Hollow Point"), the heaviest one available. I prefer the Cor-Bon and Hydra-shok, but many (including Sanow) like this new Remington round for its deeper penetration. I'll stick with the Cor-Bon and Hydra-shok, but the choice is yours.
- CCI-Speer 90 gr. Gold Dot JHP A good all-around hollowpoint.
- Remington 88 gr. JHP (R380AI): A good high-velocity hollowpoint that feeds well in: Colt Government Model .380, H&K HK4, Taurus PT-58, older PP and PPK, Bersa .380, Beretta 70s, Makarov and Hungarian FEG. These are all good guns that might choke on other hollowpoints but they will probably feed the Remington fine. This hollowpoint was redesigned in 1993 and gives excellent performance while retaining its rounded shape for positive feeding. If your .380 chokes on other JHP loads, try fifty rounds of the Remington 88 gr. through your gun and see if it improves.

.380 ACP hollowpoints to avoid:

-Winchester 85 gr Silvertip (X380ASHP) I really cannot recommend this weak and jam-prone round. It works reliably in a few modern European guns (e.g. SIG 230, Beretta 84F), but every load named above offers better performance. The Silvertip will likely jam in any American-made .380 automatic. Russian .380 Makarovs and PPK series guns may jam with the Silvertip, as well. The .380 Silvertip was once state-of-the-art, but has since been superceded by superior designs. It is also quite expensive. Look elsewhere.
- PMC-Eldorado Starfire 95 gr. JHP This round is similarly weak and jam-prone.
- Federal 90 gr. JHP (380BP) (see below)
- Hornady 90 gr. XTP-HP (9010) Both the Federal 380BP and the Hornady XTP-HP never expand and may jam many guns due to their truncated-cone bullet nose profiles. Pass by these two.

95 gr ball:

Davis P-380, Accu-Tek, EAA .380, Tanarmi, AMT/OMC/TDE "Back-Up," Heritage, FIE, Jennings, Bryco, Lorcin, Llama, or "other." Hollowpoints should never be used in these low-priced guns.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/ammo_by_anonymous.htm

One shot stopping is a great notion but the key to self defense with any small caliber is to keep shooting until the danger is gone. Several shots from even the little .22 short can kill an assailant in a heartbeat - literally.

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
One shot stopping is a great notion but the key to self defense with any small caliber is to keep shooting until the danger is gone. Several shots from even the little .22 short can kill an assailant in a heartbeat - literally.

Duly noted. And I would plan on emptying the magazine. But, I want confidence. I want to have the best chance at being able to protect myself. My first choice would be my shotgun. But, I worry about the "what ifs". Such as what if I can't get to my shotgun? If all I can get to is my .380, what if I only have enough time to fire once? Or what if I have a ftf? An assailant can gain a lot of ground in the time it would take me to clear and then chamber a round. And its not that far from my bedroom door to my bed. I want to feel like, even if I'm only able to hit him once, it'll be enough to do the job. I'm scared of the thought that after hitting him three times, he'll still keep coming. I've heard of that happening, esp with someone on drugs.

Keep the shotgun closer to your bed.

Cool,

But no mention by Ayoob of the most popular: Ruger LCP!

I'll stick with FMJ rounds due to flawless feeding in my LCP and their deeper penetration.

I think the best ammo in 380 ACP is a 165 HST 40 cal, or a 200 grain Critical Duty in 45 ACP.

You'll just need to upgrade the gun.....

Seems to me there are several "issues" here:

Is the .380ACP your only handgun? If so, as soon as possible I'd upgrade. If not, and you own something larger, I'd use that for a home defense gun.

Why are you thinking that you need to be worried about chambering a round? Keep the thing locked up if necessary, but ready to go w/only the disengagement of the safety, if necessary to make it fire! Or, carry it on your person while at home. I do and consider my neighborhood and neighbors safe, just not those that pass through.

Gunfights don't always end right after the shot is fired and the other person hit. No matter how well shot, the bad guy may just keep on coming. Unless you shut down the Central Nervous System (Brain Shot) you will not necessarily immediately end the gun fight.

As marginal a calibre as the 380ACP is, I'd find out which modern hollow point will reliably function in your pistol and use that one. Be sure and carry at least on extra full magazine too.

Hornady Critical Defense

Well! Thanks for all the responses! Lots to digest. I went looking for JHPs and I couldn't find any W silver tips. In fact my choices for JHPs in this caliber was slim to none. One GS had one box of Remington Golden Sabers. So, I decided to try them. And, I have to say, I like 'em. The accuracy is much better than the cheap FMJs I've been using on targets. Also, my gun didn't jam once.
And, yes, I know I should up grade. But, I'm about to go to Vegas!!! So, that 9mm purchase is on hold for the moment.
Maybe I'll start a new thread asking for recommendations on the best 9mm (when I'm ready). Then one for the 40, then the 45... etc. Lol!
But, seriously, thank you all.

There are lots of threads about what is the best to buy just do a search for them.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
There are lots of threads about what is the best to buy just do a search for them.

Yes, I've been reading tons. From several different forums and websites. And some forums have good search engines. There's a lot of information out there. Can be overwhelming at times. But, I also like to post my own threads and see what develops.

Agree about the "one shot" mentality. Also, with regard to your shotgun, most competent gunfight/pistol guys will tell you that the pistol is used to fight your way TO a rifle or shotgun. Hopefully you'll never need to use it.

Federal Hydra-Shoks work great in my LCP 380, the "experts" consider it one of the best, if not the best, loads for the 380. Heizer Defense has an interesting 2 shot very small pistol in .45 ACP and a 9mm model also.

Most important thing is that the ammo works in your gun. I would rather shoot FMJ ball ammo that fed 100% than hollow points that were iffy...

In todays world I would take a look at Hornady Critical Defense or maybe Cor Bon ammo with the Barnes DPX copper bullet...

Use ball for adequate penetration.

RyanB here is a thought...

Many years ago when I carried a Browning 1910 in 380 [ of all the 380's I have ever shot, this was the most accurate, most reliable] I carried what was called a Mixed Salad. I alternated HP and ball ammo. Still not a bad idea IMHO, especially when dealing with a marginal calibre, as a HP should do more damage, but Penetration is King...

To each their own, but if I were to carry anything small, from 22 to 38 SPL, I would never consider one shot to be more than an irritant.

Multiple holes are the only thing I would consider.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
RyanB here is a thought...

Many years ago when I carried a Browning 1910 in 380 [ of all the 380's I have ever shot, this was the most accurate, most reliable] I carried what was called a Mixed Salad. I alternated HP and ball ammo. Still not a bad idea IMHO, especially when dealing with a marginal calibre, as a HP should do more damage, but Penetration is King...

N.E.
You are exacy right. In a 380 ACP that is ones only hope. Stagger the HPs with FMJ.
Have any of you stopped to notice the size and weight of the some of these "gangbangers" now days.
Alot of them will dress-out over 250 lbs. At 10 feet or more a 380 ACP will be doing good to make it past a heavy jacket and/or the 2" of fat many of them sport.

Want something even hotter than Cor Bon...try Buffolo Bore. 90 grn JHP... 1175 FPS out of a Ruger LCP....

You can always order ammo on line. Some ammo sites are. Ammo Depot, Ammo to Go, Cheaper than Dirt, Ammoman, Cabelas, Midway, Natchez and alot more. Just shop for the best price and shipping rate.

PAH

I'm saving the FMJs for the range. They might have deeper penetration, but I lack confidence in their stoppage ability because I doubt they do much damage even with the deeper penetration. I've tried the Hornaday Critical Defense and Remington Golden Sabers. They cycle great and I've had no jams. The FMJs that I've used are the cheaper ammo from Walmart and I've had multiple type 2 jams that are a pain in the *** to clear.
At the Vegas gun show, I decided I really liked the Ruger SR9c. When I got back home I changed my mind and bought the LC9. So, I'm moving up a bit.
I do appreciate everyone's input!

Buffalo Bore, with an 80gr Barnes, at 1130fps +.

quote:

Originally posted by Mikelravy:
I'll stick with FMJ rounds due to flawless feeding in my LCP and their deeper penetration.

This is the way I go even in my 40 SW....as far as damage??

Pump a man full of .400 holes with FMJ and he is a dead feller ....

I load ball in my 45 too. I lack confidence in expanding bullets in marginal (380) calibers. I want to penetrate leather, arms. skulls whatever if it comes to that

quote:

Originally posted by Mikelravy:
I load ball in my 45 too. I lack confidence in expanding bullets in marginal (380) calibers. I want to penetrate leather, arms. skulls whatever if it comes to that

At this very moment I have a 45 ACP hollow-point in front of me that I found at the deer lease this past weekend. It missed it's target (hog) and ended up in the dirt (mix of sand and clay). Absolutely "no" expansion what so ever. I asked the shooter about it and he said the ones he recovered from hits on hogs did not expand either. It takes a balance of velocity and a jacket designed for that velocitiy which appears to not be the case in many semi-auto bullets. That is why IMO a mix of FMJ and HPs are the best in the little 380. You might get lucky and have a HP open up on something other than a assailants belt buckle.

That's why I carry a 45ACP for a duty round. It may or may not expand, but it sure ain't gonna shrink!

quote:

Originally posted by Mikelravy:I lack confidence in expanding bullets in marginal (380) calibers. I want to penetrate leather, arms. skulls whatever if it comes to that

These are my feelings also...even in my 45 ACP...I want a double (two sided) leaker