I also did some very unscientific testing into water, I'll send photos to the OP. Yes, it expanded.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sigmund,
Hornady American Gunner .380 90gr XTP. They're readily available around here, feed through my P238 and LCP and aren't that expensive compared to some other choices. They seem to do better than most in .380 short pistol ballistics tests. I also buy the Freedom Munitions .380 90gr XTP rounds (new not reloads) and I can't tell the difference between these and the Hornady. From what I can tell, they have nearly identical specifications. I use the Freedom rounds more at the range.
Federal HST. The AmmoQuest guy didn’t like it because it didn’t penetrate enough (8+ inches) in bare gel, because of its huge expansion. But considering that the average male torso is 9.5” thick, I think that’s enough. Furthermore, in a SD shoot, the bullet is nearly certain to encounter clothing, light bone, cartilage which reduces expansion, producing more penetration.
HST’s heavy-for-caliber 99 gr bullet has the highest PF of all .380 cartridges. And the highest, or near highest, muzzle energy too. And I like its nickel plated case, which improves extraction reliability.
Serious about crackers
Posts: 9637 | Location: San Diego | Registered: July 26, 2014
<As above, I've switched to the HST 99gr JHP's from hydrashok. More expansion and only a bit less penetration per the various gel tests. If the situation arises to use my .380 the BG is likely to be real close or I've run out of ammo in my primary CCW.
Lucky gunnner website has a listing of the various manufacturers offerings that they've tested.
Posts: 1792 | Location: Central Florida | Registered: August 08, 2008
While Golden Saber is my choice of protection ammo, my LGS was out of it and I opted for Corbon 90gr JHP, listed at 1050fps and 220 ft/lbs. Shoots accurately!
Does anyone have any first-hand experience with Underwood's Extreme Defenders? From the research I've done and videos I've watched -- apparently this stuff is pretty solid.
I'm hesitant to continue carrying JHPs in my LCP2 as they're so prone to not expanding.
_______________ Mind. Over. Matter.
Posts: 5088 | Location: The (R)ight side of Washington State | Registered: August 31, 2011
I use Buffalo Bore, with a combination of hollow points and hardcast bullets for penetration. This is quality ammo, and some very good ballistic information provided: