380 auto ammunition

rust47

What is the best ammo in this caliber for personal defense? Also is this considered to be adequate for personal defense?

gunnut505

A .380 is considered marginal for self defense for civilians due to the low energy of the round and it's inherent inaccuracy at ranges over 25 feet.
There are several makers of ammo specifically designed for defensive use in this caliber; Cor Bon,Pow'rBall, Remington's Golden Saber, Glaser Safety Slugs, etc.
A better choice in a concealable, lightweight, easy-to-manipulate sidearm is the .410/.45LC derringer; Bond Arms makes one that allows the first shot to be a .410 shotshell followed by a .45 Long Colt at around 250grs. to dissuade determined perps.
Have you shot this caliber (.380 auto) before?
Do you already have a sidearm in this caliber?

Some folks(myself included) carry what we feel is "adequate" for the self-defense scenarios we can imagine, and having an extra edge by using the biggest and fastest caliber you can effectively conceal is a good thing. Of course, if the intended target is armored, or behind a metal object; there are few choices but a small, hand-carried, accurate, hard-hitting piece chambered for a larger caliber and capable of stopping the threat with the first shot (or 2).

perry shooter

I respect GUNNUT 505 but have a different opinion of the 380 and accuracy I have a Browning type 1971 pocket pistol with good adjustable sights and it will hold 9 ring at 50 foot indoor bulls-eye target slightly over 1 inch. most 380's have poor sights thus poor accuracy . I for one Love the Remington P 51 as a carry gun less then 1 inch wide locked breach so very mild recoil. and points great over 25 feet a carry gun IMHO is no longer a defense pistol. Lawyer would have a field day if you shot someone at say 50 yards. and said it was in your defense. I use Federal ammo.

heavyiron

Hi,

There are only a few choices for the most effective 380 defensive ammunition.

The choices are:

1.Corbon 90 grain JHP ammunition
2.Federal 90 grain Hydra Shock ammunition

Based on the results of actual shooting incidents, involving real people under real life circumstances, the above two rounds resulted in a record of 71% one shot stops of the perpetrator and represent the best record for the 380 caliber. These results are not based on simulated gunshot wounds with ballistic gelatin etc. but are based on the results of incapacitating trauma to the human body.

The results are presented in the table below.

380 ACP Stopping Power

Brand Bullet Shootings One Shot Stops Percent
Corbon 90 gr JHP 42 30 71%
Federal 90 gr HS 96 68 71%

I hope this helps.

Heavyiron

PC800

I guess it depends on what 380 firearm you are talking about, but my Beretta 84F is VERY accurate at a lot longer range than 25 feet. It will shoot nice 4" groups off hand at 25 yards all day long and gives you 13+1 shots to boot. As for using a derringer for self defense, that has to be one of the worst guns to use. Having only two shots in a hard to control, small gripped, single action gun that must be cocked for each shot is not a very good way to defend yourself. Any good 38 snubbie or any good 380 would be a much better choice. As for 380 self defense ammo: Corbon, Hydrashock, or Gold Dots will all work just fine. Just makes sure whatever you choose feeds in your gun.

ripley16

+1 on what PC800 said. The only thing I would add to his post is venerable Winchester Silver Tip. Between WST, Cor Bon, Gold Dot and the Hydra Shok, you have your choice of quality, proven ammo. Feel confident with any of the above, carry the round that you shoot best.

Jgreen

.380 is just fine for defense. You can't go wrong with federal hydroshock, winchester silvertips, corbon (who now makes a powerball in .380), you name it.

For those who look at the "one shot stop" info, 71% is nothing to sneeze at....

Old Fool

There is no "solid silver kryptoite atomic bullet" that will turn a .380 into an adequate defensive weapon. Get a .40 S&W or a .45 ACP.

Nwcid

While I would not choose it for my MAIN carry gun I do have a Colt Mustang .380 that I carry a lot. I carry Corbon in all my carry guns. In the 9mm I have had to put down many deer that have been hit by cars and it works very well. I am currently carrying PowRball in my .40 but have not had a chance to use it on anything living yet. My Mustang is very accurate and reliable. Now when I say I would not choose it for a main gun that means I would still have a full sized pistol for the normal days. I carry my Mustang a lot in the summer where wearing a jacket would be too warm and way out of place. It is a vey nice gun to slip into a pocket.

ANY gun that you will HAVE on you is BETTER then any that is left at home or in the car. If the biggest best gun you can buy and cary is a .22 by all means carry it. If you have a full sized gun and it gets left behind it will do you no good.

wtroper

The most important thing about a gun in a gun fight is "have one." Not having one is a poor alternative.

sig232

quote:Originally posted by heavyiron
Hi,

There are only a few choices for the most effective 380 defensive ammunition.

The choices are:

1.Corbon 90 grain JHP ammunition
2.Federal 90 grain Hydra Shock ammunition

Based on the results of actual shooting incidents, involving real people under real life circumstances, the above two rounds resulted in a record of 71% one shot stops of the perpetrator and represent the best record for the 380 caliber. These results are not based on simulated gunshot wounds with ballistic gelatin etc. but are based on the results of incapacitating trauma to the human body.

The results are presented in the table below.

380 ACP Stopping Power

Brand Bullet Shootings One Shot Stops Percent
Corbon 90 gr JHP 42 30 71%
Federal 90 gr HS 96 68 71%

I hope this helps.

Heavyiron



This is some great data: I would add the Winchester Silvertips to that list even though they may be a little less hot![^]

It is interesting to note that the Seecamp 32 which used to recomemd Winchester Silvertips only, they claimed that the 32 using those silvertips was a 60% manstopper when examing shooting statistics.
I do think its has more to do with shot placement than cal.[:0][:0]

Big gun cals certainly make you feel a lot safer but most folks leave them at home the majority of the time. They are too damn heavy and intrusive to haul around all day.[:(] If you are a LEO you are probably used to it and can handle the big guns strapped to your hip. Most non-LEOs get tired of hauling around the big Glocks, 1911s and other anvils that stick out like a sore thumb. Woods carry is a different story!