Best Self-Defense Load for .380

[USN2Pulpit]

First: if you hate .380s, this thread's probably not for you! :laugh:

I have seen some discussion on this board that because a .380 is "under-powered" you should only load with certain types of cartridges. What is the best type of cartridge for .380 self-defense? In my case, my BOG is a Taurus PT-738 (LCP).

JHP, frangible -what do you think? Also - is there a brand that has a better reputation?

Thanks for your time.

 

[Rich_S]

A .380? Steeeerike 1!

A Taurus? Steeeerike 2!!

Not knowing that FMJ is the only round to use in a .380 since they're under powered and JHP doesn't expand properly? Steeeeerike 3!!!

 

[Everclear]

Hornaby. Critical defense rounds for my Ruger 380

 

[Everclear]

Normally I carry my Glock 19 but the pocket 380 comes in handy at times.

 

[ArizonaNRAsupporter]

Hornady critical defense or federal premium hydrashok. Regardless of what you heard, a .380 is still a deadly round. I sure as hell don't want to get shot by a JHP .380.

 

[mamacat2u]

A .380? Steeeerike 1!

A Taurus? Steeeerike 2!!

Not knowing that FMJ is the only round to use in a .380 since they're under powered and JHP doesn't expand properly? Steeeeerike 3!!!

Tad snarky for a firearms instructor. He/she is asking for opinions but all you had was a snarky reply. Doesn't make for a good instructor.

Hornaby. Critical defense rounds for my Ruger 380

+1

Normally I carry my Glock 19 but the pocket 380 comes in handy at times.

Another +1 but I carry the Springfield XD Sub-Compact 9.

 

[justxboxin]

My edc is a ruger lcp I carry zombie just in case hollow points

 

[squirrelhunter]

I carry Hornady Zombie Max in my 380,they're like the Critical Defense.

 

[USN2Pulpit]

A .380? Steeeerike 1!

I refer you back to my opening comment:

First: if you hate .380s, this thread's probably not for you!

Also, if you look closely, you'll find a fourth strike...I called my Taurus an "L C P" instead of TCP.

In any case, I was wondering if the Hornady CD ammo would expand properly in the .380 load.

 

[justxboxin]

I carry Hornady Zombie Max in my 380,they're like the Critical Defense.

that's what I carry the box sold me lol

 

[billiam]

Hornaby. Critical defense rounds for my Ruger 380

That's what I use!!

Just askin' Rich_S......would you want to be on the receiving end of an "underpowered" .380 round??......I wouldn't!

 

[justxboxin]

Dude I took my brother shooting held the gun with him the slide ripped
My thumb apart lol ... Deff not wanna be shot even with a bb gun let alone a .22 a .380 may kill u with one shot a ... 9mm only goes in a hair farther

 

[Domineaux]

Hornady Crit Defense has plenty of performance to bring it pretty close to 9mm.

 

[Firefighterchen]

A .380? Steeeerike 1!

A Taurus? Steeeerike 2!!

Not knowing that FMJ is the only round to use in a .380 since they're under powered and JHP doesn't expand properly? Steeeeerike 3!!!

To anyone taking advice from rich_s seriously? Gaaaaaaaaaame over. You fail. Try again.

To the OP: Sig P238 with federal hydrashok.

 

[mamacat2u]

Taking anyone taking advice from rich_s seriously? Gaaaaaaaaaame over. You fail. Try again.

To the OP: Sig P238 with federal hydrashok.

Too new to know, I guess, but it did stand out as being "off the wall," especially for an instructor. Duly noted. lol Plus, he is in the "know-all" land of Massholes.

K, going back to my little hole in the South. lololol Be sure to keep my Ruger .380 with Hornady Critical Defense rounds close and my 9 even closer.

 

[thoricuncle]

I carry Hornady CD in my TCP 738 with a Crimson Trace laser.

The smaller 380's are very picky eaters. However, I have had no trouble with the Hornady CD.

As far as under-powered, it's a handgun, of course it's under-powered. Shot placement is 80% and multiple shots is 19%. I have shot subcompact 9mm's and could not hit the broadside of a barn with them. I would take 7 well aimed 380 rounds to 7 wild shots with a 9mm.

 

[Firefighterchen]

Taking anyone taking advice from rich_s seriously? Gaaaaaaaaaame over. You fail. Try again.

To the OP: Sig P238 with federal hydrashok.

Too new to know, I guess, but it did stand out as being "off the wall," especially for an instructor. Duly noted. lol Plus, he is in the "know-all" land of Massholes.

K, going back to my little hole in the South. lololol Be sure to keep my Ruger .380 with Hornady Critical Defense rounds close and my 9 even closer.

Lol welcome to the forums, I wasn't calling you out personally, but just a general statement to all who come across the the instructor known as Rich_S. But, you basically nailed it on the head. Doesn't take too long to see it I didn't want to mention that particular state, as there are others that are from there that do indeed have some good input...but yes I guess it is important to note the Mass Mentality that Rich_S has.

 

[aj's 40 cal]

if i owned a .380 id load it with either federal or horandy CD or zombie, the zombie is the same thing as the CDjust a different case, and tip color (green insted of red)

 

[kevnrm]

If you think you need a little more power hornady critical duty is the same jhp bullet but a little more juice behind it, but i'm not sure how much of a difference in recoil it makes in the .380.

 

[Hamguy9]

Federal Hydra-Shock in mine.

Don't listen to bozos who insist that you carry only what meets their standard. Carry what you're comfortable with. Trust me, no bad guy is going to hang around long enough to examine your weapon.