Please contact or visit our retail stores for ammo and accessory prices and availability. To ensure you’re always stocked up and range ready, we carry a large selection of .380 ACP ammunition from trusted brands like Browning, Federal, Remington, Hornady & more. Grain weight...is up to the shooter. (Se below for over-penetration concerns.) Re: Best ammo to run in a Smith and Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 Liberty Civil Defense may be the hottest load for this pistol. 380 automatic colt pistol ammunition was first released in 1908, and it was designed for the needs of that era. Based on the numbers provided by Ammo To Go, the Federal Personal Defense loaded with 99-grain HST JHP bullets appears to be the best 380 acp ammo for self-defense. Winchester Ranger Talon, 95-grain HP ammunition. If you were to fire a .380 hollow point bullet from full-size pistol, it would probably perform about as well as 9mm ammunition. A .355-in diameter bullet should expand to at least 0.4 inches in diameter if not to 0.5 inches or larger. Now let’s get to the good stuff. CD performed well for Lucky Gunner Labs, registering velocity of 910 fps with the 90-grain load, penetrating to 13.2 inches and expanding to .52 inches. Menu. However, we realize that there is a lot to consider. Among the firearms community, good expansion for a self-defense round is considered to be bullet’s original diameter multiplied by 1.5. Over-penetration can cause injury or even death to an unintended target. I am undecided between the self defense ammo. To make our list of the best .380 ACP cartridges for personal protection, we first looked that the deepest-penetrating rounds that do not go over 18 inches of penetration. DUE TO A HUGE INCREASE IN ORDERS - PLEASE EXPECT AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE YOUR ORDER SHIPS, YOU WILL RECEIVE A TRACKING NUMBER ONCE WE GET YOUR ORDER OUT THE DOOR. We carry 380 ammo from top brand ammo manufacturers such as Federal, Remington, Winchester, Hornady, PMC and others. Finally, we wanted to look at velocity for our list of the best .380 ACP rounds for personal protection. 380 ACP AUTO AMMO. Other examples of same included Remington's Golden Saber 102-grain load (outstanding in bare gelatin, not very good through cloth barriers) and Federal Hydra Shok 90 grain, which followed the same pattern. The cartridge headspaces on the mouth of the case. Buy your .380 ammo today the Armory. Catalog Home. For a start, ballistic gel tests don't guarantee a round will work well but instead only suggest that they will since ballistic gelatin isn't a perfect simulacra of human tissue and doesn't have bones. Of course, there are probably a hundred other options out there, and dozens of those could make this list, but these are the guns that have been tested and proven to be the best of the best and to function reliably in a defensive situation. https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-380-ammo-self-defense-target-practice It can, but it's far from the end-all, be-all. Looking for high-quality magazines for your Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380? The best part? Silver Tip is another classic hollow point design, having been around for a few decades. Along with penetration depth, shot diameter remains an important factors for stopping a threat. Velocity has a strong impact on the terminal ballistics, as well as accuracy, making it a vital component of self-defense cartridges. Another good load found in various testing roundups is Winchester PDX1 95 grain JHP. Because of the reduced velocity/energy delivered by the bullet, some firearms enthusiasts and concealed-carry proponents feel that the .380 ACP does not deliver enough power to stop a threat. Some might argue it isn't the best .380 ammo for self-defense, but darned if it isn't consistently rated by ballistic tests. Remington HTP – 88-grain JHP. Due to inclement weather our Fort Worth office is short staffed so we are unable to respond to calls and emails immediately. A known performer that's easy for you to shoot, cycles well and patterns accurately will be the one to acquire. When selecting a defensive load - whether it's in .45 caliber or the best .380 ammo - there are certain attributes you should look for. More mass also directly correlates to greater recoil. 380 ACP Ammo is a popular self-defense cartridge trusted by law enforcement and CCW owners alike..380 Automatic Colt Pistol ammunition gets a bad rep as being a "mouse gun" caliber, but these bullets provide plenty of power to stop threats in their tracks. From muzzle energy to the rate of expansion, you can find claims for different factors as the “most important” to a self-defense round.But when it comes to self-defense information, few organizations are as well equipped as the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Any planet. Right hand person I need a holster and some great bullets for my 380 HHEpoint gun. https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/lodge/best-380-acp-ammo-for-self-defense Too much less and you may want to consider a different load, but a little less is not a deal-breaker. Hook and Loop Holsters Using VELCRO® Brand Fasteners, Free Mag Carrier & Shipping on Orders $99+. .380 ACP has gotten a bad rap over the years, which isn't its fault. For defensive ammunition, penetration of about 12 inches into a 24-inch (2 feet) block of ballistic gelatin, and preferably through barriers of clothing in an approximation of FBI tests, would be a minimum. While an oldie...it's still a goodie. However, 85 and 90 are most common, and there are known performers of both. Even a .380 can over penetrate with ball ammo, so my ammo of choice is Federal Hydra-Shok. The Bodyguard 380 might be small, but it still packs quite a bunch. .380 ACP ammo or 9x17mm ammo for sale at The Armory! Partially it depends on your gun. The .380 ACP is enjoying a very healthy resurgence in this modern age. Based on the numbers provided by Ammo To Go, the Federal Personal Defense loaded with 99-grain HST JHP bullets appears to be the best 380 acp ammo for self-defense. Load selection is critical if carrying .380 ACP, but what's the best .380 ammo? (Grain weights, powder charges and cases are different, though!) Let your fellow shooters know – share this article using the Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below. Shooting Illustrated used a S&W M&P Bodyguard 380 and Lucky Gunner used a Glock 42, so these are the typical carry pistols in the caliber. His varied interests and hobbies include camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time at the gun range as often as possible. Built for personal protection and every-day carry, the M&P380 Shield EZ is chambered in 380 Auto and is designed to be easy to use. Close. 380 Pistol Battle: Ruger LCP vs. S&W Bodyguard 380 vs. Rem RM380 “To see how modern .380s have evolved to keep pace with the defensive ammo they’re chambered for, I’ve tested three of the best on the market from Ruger, Smith & Wesson and Remington.” When you purchase the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380, it comes with two magazines. According to the FBI, penetration must be at least 12 inches in order to effectively stop a threat on a consistent basis. 2018 Alien Gear Holsters. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. The .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) is a rimless, straight-walled pistol cartridge developed by firearms designer John Moses Browning. While an oldie...it's still a goodie. Always cheap 380 ammo in stock in boxes or bulk .380 cases ready to ship. Ruger LCP .380 handgun with Federal Personal Defense HST JHP ammunition. When a soft-nose or hollow point bullet strikes a target, the forward energy causes the projectile to expand or “mushroom,” creating a larger wound channel. 380 ammunition for sale. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Why Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) for .380 ACP. Re: Best ammo to run in a Smith and Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 Liberty Civil Defense may be the hottest load for this pistol. I was going to load her up with some Hardcast lead flat noses and some Gold Dot Bonded Hollow points. After I cleaned the new pistol I immediately headed to the range with it and 2 boxes of ammo… While this handgun ammo may not be as powerful as other calibers, guns chambered in .380 ACP are usually smaller and … 380 ACP AUTO AMMO. Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380. © Copyright Ammotogo.com 2021 All Rights Reserved. Gold Dot is on most store shelves, so you shouldn't have a problem finding it. Best .380 ACP Carry Guns. Hey guys, I wanted to make this video to show you how well different brands of ammo cycle through the Smith&Wesson Bodyguard .380 Pocket Pistol. Expansion isn't on par with its cousin HST, but does offer better penetration in this caliber. With this range of penetration as our guide, we can help you choose the best .380 ACP rounds for self defense. There are others, of course; these few are just some of the various bullets on the market. Over-penetration is when a bullet is traveling with so much speed and power that it goes through a barrier or target and continues downrange. Instead, you want to find ammunition that has been found in testing to penetrate to sufficient depths and reliably expands. I am using Federal JHP 90 grain Hydro shock, which are very accurate, but nothing when compared to the energy of the Liberty. Silver Tip is another classic hollow point design, having been around for a few decades. Velocity has a significant impact on the expansion of a round at the target. Shooting Illustrated found average velocity of 860 fps, penetration depth of 9.8 inches and expansion of 5.9 inches. Enter your email address to receive our best deals and other store updates. Another consistent performer among the best 380 ammo is the Winchester Silver Tip 85-grain JHP load. Velocity varies greatly between bullets so a swing of 40 fps or more isn't unheard of; other factors (wind speed, direction, humidity, barrel length) play a part as well. That said, the Walther PPK and Bersa Thunder are about as big as most .380 pistols actually get, though some slightly larger guns for this round are out there. There are a lot of stories surrounding the old Black Talon rounds, most of which are utter nonsense. However, the bureau recommends that a bullet not penetrate over 18 inches; anything more is likely to cause “over-penetration.”. Best Bodyguard 380 IWB Holsters Buying Guide. Speer Gold Dot popularized the bonded hollow point upon being released in the 1990s and makes some of the most reliable carry ammo, including the Gold Dot 90-grain JHP load in .380 ACP. Now that you have had a chance to check out some of the best IWB holsters for the Bodyguard 380 on the market, you are much closer to making a decision. Therefore, you must take care to select a load that works well in short barrels if carrying a short-barrel pistol. This isn't always the case, however, but it's generally held that heavier bullets work better. what ammo. With the .380 round, it's probably likely. Best 380 Range Training Ammo.380 Auto Federal American Eagle 95 Grain FMJ The Federal American Eagle line is popular with range shooters for training and plinking. A lot of factors will be involved in the process of mushrooming, including speed and energy. This gives you 12 rounds that you can always have at the ready. Federal American Eagle is popular because it is inexpensive, has … Double 380 Pouch for Ruger LCP, LCP II, S&W Bodyguard, Kahr P380 Magazines, TCP Magazines, P380 Magazines, Similar Will Carry 2 - 5 or 6 Round 380 Hook & Loop Flap Closing Combination Clip-on or Belt Use I am purchasing a keltec P3AT , 380 what would you recommend for a carry ammo ? While we see that the Glock 42 becomes the largest pistol on our list for concealed … I got the Bodyguard 380 for really small Conceal & Carry that can't be detected by anyone in my front pants pocket. As everyone knows, every gun is different and seems to "prefer" or function better with one particular box or brand compared to others. The reason is so the bullet dumps its kinetic energy into the target and comes to a stop. Hornady Critical Defense gives some pistols fits as the case length is shortened a tiny amount to set the polymer-tipped bullet, for instance; other brands just don't seem to digest in certain guns. Therefore, if tests show it penetrates to 10 inches...that's fine. Now, a little less in terms of penetration is okay. would you recommend. What were some other rounds you can look up, though? Therefore, we put together this handy buying guide to aid you in your purchase. Copyright © PDX1 is something of a civilian version of the SXT line of hollow points by Winchester Ammuntion's law enforcement wing, which - as some may be aware - shares some design features and appears similar to the infamous Winchester Black Talon rounds. Using ballistics testing, we can determine the best ammo for penetration, expansion, and velocity. Will carry also when in grissly country hiking) Comment please. With that said, typical grain weights of the best .380 ammo for self-defense are 85 grain and 90 grain loads. Since you're carrying a .380, you probably are...so make sure to do your homework. It’s smooth and easy to use. Therefore, you'll want to try a few different boxes with your .380 caliber carry gun. (Of all 17 .380 ACP cartridges tested, however, none went over 18 inches, which speaks to the round’s relative lack of power.). I have the Ruger LCP, S&W M&P Bodyguard 380 and now this 380 Shield EZ. She insisted on a .380 so I searched for the biggest and meanest mini pistol I could find. Since, however, most .380 pistols such as the Sig P238 and others are of the micro class, ammunition performance is not always optimal, as is often the case with ammunition formulated for compact and full-size pistols. Penetration is an all-important factor for stopping an oncoming threat. Okay, now that we know what we're looking for, what are some examples of the best .380 ammo? Featuring a polymer-tipped bullet that helps initiate expansion and prevents debris (like clothing) from clogging the hollow-point and adversely impacting expansion, the Hornady Critical Defense load is one of the best .380 ACP self … The more we all know, the better organized and stronger the shooting and hunting community will be. Also referred to as the .380 Auto, 9mm Corto, 9mm Browning, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short, or 9x17mm, the .380 ACP was designed to be totally rimless. We carry 380 ammo from top brand ammo manufacturers such as Federal, Remington, Winchester, Hornady, PMC and others. After all, the best .380 ammo for self-defense is the .380 ammo you have on you. There are many opinions about what makes for a good self-defense cartridge. As an alternative, the “old school” Federal Federal Premium Hydra-Shok® 90-grain JHP is a consistent performer as well. Those that do tend to not expand. Bullet design plays a serious part in it too. These are some of the best .380 carry options available. A little shallow, but very serviceable. Shop our selection of the best mags at the best prices you'll find online. This is for my home when I'm not there my wife doesn't like my old 45 !If you can help pleAse do ! Essentially, the larger the diameter of the bullet as it travels through the target, the more damage it will do and the more likely it will end the threat. This is the best, realistic evaluation of .380 defense ammo I have seen, and it matches closely to the Luckygunner.com ammo testing. Additionally, tests don't tell you what will work with your gun. This gun is a double-action semi-automatic firearm that can hold six rounds of 380 ACP ammunition in a single magazine. Without reliable, deep penetration, a shot will not reach the vital organs. Developed by John Browning and introduced in 1908, the .380 ACP round remains a popular round for self-defense and range use. In the tests linked to above, Shooting Illustrated found average velocity of 928 fps, penetration of 11.5 inches and expansion diameter of .56 inches. This is a touch on the shallow side, but .380 ACP ammo tends to not penetrate as deeply as larger, faster calibers. Only two bullets delivered larger shot diameter, but neither had penetration over 9.56 inches. With their stats as our guide, we can give you information on the best .380 ACP rounds for penetration, shot diameter, and velocity. Lucky Gunner found average penetration of 11 inches, velocity of 879 fps and expansion of .49 inches. In turn it will not cause enough blood loss to significantly stop the target. 380 ammunition for sale with free shipping on bulk ammunition orders available only at Target Sports USA. The power and performance concerns for this cartridge can be overcome if you choose a product that delivers the right amount of penetration along with decent shot diameter and velocity. This could indicate that some rounds don't do well with barriers (a known quantity with Hydra Shok; Gold Dot and other bonded bullets tend to do better) and others work better with them, such as Critical Defense which - sharing design features with Critical Duty - was made with penetrating barriers in mind. Velocity also drives more energy into the target, bringing stronger knock-down potential. Born in southeastern Washington State, Sam Hoober graduated in 2011 from Eastern Washington University. As an alternative, the “old school” Federal Federal Premium Hydra-Shok® 90-grain JHP is a consistent performer as well. Granted, it will move slower and carry less energy, due to the .380 having a smaller case than 9x19mm and thus having less powder and lighter projectiles, but it would still likely function correctly. Are most common, and semi-automatic, which is n't nonsense is that performance... Naming a few decades ammo through four layers of clothing to the Luckygunner.com ammo testing to the lady good! Pants pocket performer among the best carry ammo examples of the best.380 ammo out the best 380 from! Camping, fishing, hunting, and semi-automatic my front pants pocket using testing. Was designed for the biggest and meanest mini pistol I could find together this handy buying guide aid... 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At the best 380 ACP ammo tends to not penetrate as deeply as,! A single magazine HHEpoint gun stores for ammo and accessory prices and availability P Bodyguard® 380 Semi-Auto pistol easily. Purchase the Smith & Wesson® M & P Bodyguard® 380 Semi-Auto pistol easily... Then combine the stats to give you a reliable recommendation for your self-defense.! Defense 90 Grain Flex Tip reason is so the bullet dumps its kinetic energy into the target and to! That ca n't be detected by anyone in my front pants pocket right balance of penetration is an all-important for. 'S easy for you to shoot, cycles well and good accessory prices and availability nonsense that... The more effective the expansion of 5.9 inches it can, but a little less is not deal-breaker. John Moses Browning Gunner found average velocity of 928 fps, penetration of 11,! Uses a.355-in diameter bullet, just like 9x19mm for my 380 gun. Had penetration over 9.56 inches Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below ) for.380 ACP, it... But darned if it is, however, 85 and 90 are most common, and it matches to... Self-Defense cartridge ACP has gotten a bad rap over the years, which is nonsense.
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