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Posted: 10/29/2015 7:57:28 PM EDT
My wife just picked up a Glock 42.

I'm not incredibly familiar with 380 Auto so I was hoping to get some recommendations/advice on good 380 Auto Defensive ammunition that you would trust?  I've read the recommended self defense page on 380 Auto and so am familiar with those choices.  I was just hoping to see what others might recommend or place their trust in.

Any recommendations for practice ammo would be great as well.

Thanks!
Link Posted: 10/29/2015 8:19:45 PM EDT
[#1]
95 grain full metal jacket is a decent choice, both for carry and practice.

Larger cartridges can offer both decent penetration and decent expansion.  When you can only have one, I would choose penetration.

It is extremely reliable, all of the .380s were originally designed to fire this cartridge.
Link Posted: 10/29/2015 8:55:46 PM EDT
[#2]
Might check out some of this guy's gel tests: https://www.youtube.com/user/ShootingTheBull410/videos  Not gospel, but seems pretty consistent & impartial.

As grendelbane says, you're not likely to find great expansion AND great penetration in a .380; at least not when fired from a normal pocket-size .380 pistol. I personally like XTP in .380, but it's largely personal preference.
Link Posted: 10/30/2015 1:56:31 AM EDT
[#3]
Speer Gold Dots and shot placement
Link Posted: 10/30/2015 2:10:20 AM EDT
[#4]
I carry Federal hydra shock HPs. It's an old bullet design that actually works fairly well in the 380 auto, good penetration and some expansion.
Link Posted: 10/30/2015 2:37:57 PM EDT
[#5]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Might check out some of this guy's gel tests: https://www.youtube.com/user/ShootingTheBull410/videos  Not gospel, but seems pretty consistent & impartial.

As grendelbane says, you're not likely to find great expansion AND great penetration in a .380; at least not when fired from a normal pocket-size .380 pistol. I personally like XTP in .380, but it's largely personal preference.
View Quote


I like his YouTube videos as well. He seems to thankfully skip all the BS and stick to the facts and science. I think he recommended an XTP bullet in 380 — I remember Fiocchi was his second choice and I think CorBon was first but they were both essentially equal.
Link Posted: 10/30/2015 2:47:00 PM EDT
[#6]
.....oh and for practice rounds most people just use FMJ's that match up relatively the same with the size and velocity of your actual self defense round. It doesn't matter much outside of pricing. I mean if you got the extra money, you can use the JHPs for target practice too. I try to pump a dozen clips out of FMJs to practice aiming and trigger pull and then I'll end the range day with a clip of the JHPs I really use. You can do whatever works for you of course, I don't think there is any system that is better than another as long as you practice adequately. Some people like running half a dozen different types of ammo out for practice. Whatever.
Link Posted: 10/31/2015 5:07:27 PM EDT
[#7]
i just picked up some Poly Case ARX  56 grain travels at over 1300 fps you should check it out. the light grain bullet also reduces felt recoil.
i ordered off line for under $18.00 for a box of 25
Link Posted: 11/27/2015 11:32:47 PM EDT
[#8]
FMJ.  The problem with the lesser cartridges is not expansion, but failure to penetrate.   Carry FMJ in the .380 to better get the job done.
Link Posted: 11/27/2015 11:56:09 PM EDT
[#9]
Hornady Critical Defense if you want expansion.

Penetration in 4-layer denim and gelatin is about 11"

Expands to about .46
Link Posted: 11/29/2015 4:00:27 AM EDT
[#10]
XTP
Link Posted: 11/29/2015 9:25:40 AM EDT
[#11]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Hornady Critical Defense if you want expansion.
Penetration in 4-layer denim and gelatin is about 11"
Expands to about .46
View Quote


This or FMJ.
Link Posted: 11/29/2015 10:53:54 AM EDT
[#12]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Hornady Critical Defense if you want expansion.

Penetration in 4-layer denim and gelatin is about 11"

Expands to about .46
View Quote


This is what my wife uses with her 42. Runs great
Link Posted: 11/29/2015 2:33:39 PM EDT
[#13]
My understanding is that FMJs will overpenetrate.  A round with the XTP bullet was seemed to have the best balance of penetration and expansion.  The Gold Dot and the Hydrashock did well too.  The Critical Defense seemed to underpenetrate but expanded really well.  .380 is a compromise round.  I carry GDs in the gun and Fiocchi xtp in my spare mags.  
YMMV
Link Posted: 11/29/2015 2:46:44 PM EDT
[#14]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
The problem with the lesser cartridges is not expansion, but failure to penetrate.   Carry FMJ in the .380 to better get the job done.
View Quote

The problem with most JHP's in .380 is underpenetration. The problem with FMJ's and hardcasts in .380 is twofold - total absence of expansion and dangerous amounts of overpenetration.
Link Posted: 11/30/2015 9:17:19 PM EDT
[#15]
I shoot Barnes TAC-XPD in my BodyGuard, its 80 grain and have had excellent results with it
Link Posted: 11/30/2015 9:18:49 PM EDT
[#16]
I shoot Barnes TAC-XPD in my BodyGuard, its 80 grain and have had excellent results with it
Link Posted: 11/30/2015 9:20:21 PM EDT
[#17]
Sorry for the double post!!
Link Posted: 12/1/2015 8:59:46 AM EDT
[#18]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


This or FMJ.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Hornady Critical Defense if you want expansion.
Penetration in 4-layer denim and gelatin is about 11"
Expands to about .46


This or FMJ.


Would it make sense to Dutch Load it, alternating between FMJ and WEG's recommendation?
Link Posted: 12/1/2015 7:02:40 PM EDT
[#19]
I like the 99gr Federal HST.  The XTP based options generally expand significantly less while penetrating about 2" deeper in gelatin.  Gold Dot would be my second choice.
Link Posted: 12/2/2015 1:32:57 PM EDT
[#20]
Shooting the Bull, 380 Ammo Quest
Brass Fetcher Gell Tests
I carry Federal Hydra Shock (NOT HSTs) in my P238.
Edited to make links hot.
Link Posted: 12/5/2015 12:07:41 AM EDT
[#21]
I keep Win Ranger T's in mine.  Functions great in 2 different Ruger LCP's and a Bersa Thunder.  I really have no way to determine penetration or expansion.  I do trust it completely for function in my firearms.
Link Posted: 12/5/2015 1:43:46 AM EDT
[#22]
Federal HST's are your friend!
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