Posted on 03/02/2018 1:38:05 PM PST by kjam22
Just looking for advice. Purchased a new 380 S&W. Not owned 380 before and trying to decide best round for "when you need it." Not sure I'm smart enough to really know the differences between the two mentioned in the title. (Obviously one is 95 and the other 90 grain) But I would appreciate any advice and specifics on the differences.
Thanks much!
Hope I'm getting this posted to chit chat....
I think that ended up being my second choice. I tested both the Hornady and the Hydra-Shok in my P238. Both worked fine.
It's been a while but I might have broken the tie based on slightly greater penetration (though perhaps not statistically significant) and the fact that I had already chosen Hydra-Shoks in other calibers. Either is probably a great choice.
I don’t know. I have a little KelTec P3AT in .380. I had to try several brands of FMJ ammo before sticking with Remington UMC .380 ACP 95gr FMJ. Other ammo jammed. Coulda been me limp wristing it, but didn’t have that problem with the Remington. I haven’t tried any hollow point or extreme defense ammo in the .KelTec. I went thru the same pain in the butt to find .22LR for my Rugers (pistol & 10/22).
Not suggesting any brand, but the suggestion to try both is a good one to find what the weapon “likes”.
Take a look at CORBON ammo. 90gr JHP 1050 fps...220ftlbs from a 2.4 inch barrel.
That’s what I shoot in both my 380’s
Buy at least a box of each and see which your gun feeds most reliably and shoots most accurately. Five grains isn’t going to make a significant difference in terminal ballistics.
If you or your family's life is at risk, they are cheap.
Hydra Shock is my .380 round, feeds in everything including a Colt 1908.
If I was going to carry a .380 for self defense, (which I wouldn’t, but to each his own) I’d have it loaded with some combination of these:
https://www.lehighdefense.com/collections/ammo/355-380-auto
(Cognizant of the arguments against carrying mixed ammo for SD, I still choose to do so. )
I bought my first 1911 in late 1970. It was the new Series 70 Mark IV in .45ACP. I’ve never looked back.
All this fancy ammo, in my opinion, is just an admission that you need more gun.
Aren’t hydra Shocks also known as cop killers by the idiots on the MSM shows?
“Hornady 90 gr. Critical Defense is what you want.”
I’ll second that. I occasionally carry an LCP and did my own testing. They have the most reliable expansion.
Loved my 84F. Drop dead accurate out of the box. Traded a Walther PPK in for it. The PPK was worthless. It was brand new and would stove pipe every 2-3 rounds, plus it only held 7 rounds. Took it to several gunsmiths and they couldn’t correct the problem. And that was shooting quality ammunition
+1 on Hornady Critical Defense. The hollow point never plugs up and ALWAYS expands.
I would run at least a couple hundred rounds of FMJ ball ammo thru your gun to break it in before I started comparing the self defense rounds for feeding reliability. It will make a difference.
That being said the Hydra Shoks have a many supporters (me included) and I also like the Hornady XTP’s.
That is what I bought some years back.
www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests
Have tried most .380 rounds.
If your pistol is an all steel frame the Buffalo Bore 90 grn.
jhp +p is a Hot loaded round.
Also like the Speer 90 grn. gold dot.
Thanks.
I have a Sig P238 since it’s very concealable.
Damned near invisible in my blue jean pocket.
Can either of these two .380 be fried thru a Markov 9MM?
Thanks everyone for the advice.
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