Trying out some more .380 ACP ammo in the 2.75 inch Ruger LCP. Each load was shot into two 16 inch blocks of Clear ballistics gel. One round bare gel and one covered with heavy clothing.

First the Sig 90gr V-Crown JHP. No chronograph reading on the round fired into bare gel but very good penetration of 13.75 inches. While expansion wasn’t the greatest, at .48 inches it did allow the bullet to travel deeply. Unfortunately there was no expansion with the bullet fired through the heavy clothing but the velocity of 756fps push it to the 15.5 inch mark.  



Next up is the Speer 90gr Gold Dot. The first bullet passing into the bare gel had a velocity of 906fps and penetrated 12 inches with an expansion of .48 inches.  The heavy clothing shot impacted at 841fps penetrated 14.5 inches but with no expansion. When I say no expansion I should point out that the hollow point actually started to open just a little but technically it was zero expansion.



Last up in the Winchester PDX1 95gr JHP. The first shot in bare gel only penetrated 9 inches but had great expansion (for a .380) of .59 inches. The heavy clothing shot was a very similar 9.5 inches and .59 inch expansion. This load had an average velocity of 922fps when I tested it earlier. Expansion of this load was great but at the cost of penetration with neither round making the 10 inch mark never mind the 12 inch minimum.



https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2900152368/winchester-pdx1-defender-ammunition-380-acp-95-grain-bonded-jacketed-hollow-point

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/638305/speer-gold-dot-ammunition-380-acp-90-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-20

http://www.luckygunner.com/380-auto-90-grain-jhp-v-crown-sig-sauer-20-rounds

https://www.clearballistics.com/

Yeah, I'm sticking with underwood ep's in my 380 when carrying.

Theyre not great, but none of the 380 hp's I've seen are worth a damn.

I just hope those flutes tear the tissue at least a little more than a ball round.

I have been thinking about buying some and trying them out.

Thanks for performing the test and posting the results.

Yes.

Good job, OP.

Another thanks! I carry XTPs in my ccw 380 (which would be on rare occasions) cause it sorta works and is available anywhere.

I carry my LCP with a PDX1 in the chamber and federal FMJ in the magazine...if I were to change that, I would order some underwood with Hornaday XTP bullets.

Fiocchi Extrema 380 ACP AUTO 90 Gr XTP