Expected more out of a 380

[RWT]

I expected more out of 380 ammo. This is from 20 yards. Caught the binder clip as the sights on the S&w2.0 Bodyguard and my vision are not meant for that distance.

Playing around with Bodyguard and a STI I picked up. I called Dawson Precision and they advised shoot from this distance and bring them the target. They will determine proper sight height for the STI.

Figured I may take the 380 as well since I carry it the most and they are factory sights. Maybe I am not John Wick worthy at 20 yards.

Bullet tore the metal and no idea where the lead core went. Makes me wonder about carrying it as I have doubts since it barley penetrated pot metal binder clips



I’ll post the manufacturer when I get to shop later tonight

 

[Formidilosus]

380’s require good ammo. But, a lots of junk bullets will catch in a binder clips when it gets shot off.

Federal Hydra-Shok Deep 99gr.
Quality Flat point FMJ.

 

[roadrunner]

Well, it's basically a 9mm.

 

[Wprinkle]

The ball ammo i shoot for practice gets caught in an oil bucket, but Friday i hat to put a horse down and all i had was the .380. At about 5 feet the hydrashok deep made though the front of the skull through the brain and from the color and amount of blood had to have at least made it to the back of skull or through it.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Back in the day, I wanted to check velocity of the loads I was carrying in my LCP 2, which were fiochi factory loaded with Hornady 90gr XTP bullets.

I accidentally hit the sun shade dead square (old school chrony) and the bullet went into the plastic about 1/2” at most IIRC. Pretty lame.

I have watched every ballistics gel video on the internet, I’m not uneducated on the matter. I have chosen for my sub compact 380s and snub 38 to carry the Lehigh defense xtreme penetrators loaded by underwood. I would rather cookie-cutter a hole straight through than have the bullet fail to penetrate.

 

[North of 60]

Second the Lehigh extreme penetrators in a .380 to get better penetration.

 

[RWT]

The offending ammo

Sig Sauer Elite Defense 380 ACP Ammo 90 Grain V-Crown Jacketed Hollow Point - E380A1-50​

 

[BreechFace]

Well, it's basically a 9mm.

So 300 BLK is basically a 308 WIN?

 

[PopNFresh]

ran corbon pow'r ball 380 before I gave up the caliber. it's screaming even out of pocket guns. eventually just went to x19.

 

[Formidilosus]

The offending ammo

Sig Sauer Elite Defense 380 ACP Ammo 90 Grain V-Crown Jacketed Hollow Point - E380A1-50​

Say no to Sig. The two I posted, along with Buffalo Bore hard cast or Lehigh if you want max penetration.

 

[TxLite]

The ball ammo i shoot for practice gets caught in an oil bucket, but Friday i hat to put a horse down and all i had was the .380. At about 5 feet the hydrashok deep made though the front of the skull through the brain and from the color and amount of blood had to have at least made it to the back of skull or through it.

I mean I’ve done the same with a 22 short out of a revolver on a horse and cattle. Not sure if that’s the best metric

 

[Wprinkle]

I mean I’ve done the same with a 22 short out of a revolver on a horse and cattle. Not sure if that’s the best metric

Absolutely not, and it’s not even data. I was just trying to make a point that the cheap fmj practice ammo does not perform the same as hydroshok deep i used. I’ve had 22 short and long work and fail. In fact a lot of failures in domestic pig “head shots” putting em down for butchering.. also not sure I’ve ever had a binder clip stop a 22 though

 

[bnsafe]

my wife carries a 380, would not be my round of choice, but, its the round she will carry. an with our age the lower recoil makes it easier for her to shoot. so kinda is what it is

 

[okcaveman]

I occasionally carry a 380. Killed a 175 ish pound feral hogs with it at about 12 yards a couple years back with gold dots

 

[Terrapin]

I frequently carry a 380 LCP in the backcountry for grizzlies. So far I’ve been 100% on not getting eaten & it’s way lighter than my 10mm.

For some reason (probably my dainty hands) I can shoot that gun lights out… I can frequently go 6 for 6 on a A-C metal target @ 50 yards.

I figure a 380 (with modern loads & appropriate bullets) is way better than my bigger pistols that get left in the truck


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[RWT]

I frequently carry a 380 LCP in the backcountry for grizzlies. So far I’ve been 100% on not getting eaten & it’s way lighter than my 10mm.

For some reason (probably my dainty hands) I can shoot that gun lights out… I can frequently go 6 for 6 on a A-C metal target @ 50 yards.

I figure a 380 (with modern loads & appropriate bullets) is way better than my bigger pistols that get left in the truck


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Agree. That is why the bodyguard is carried now most of the time. Had a LCP2 and couldn’t trust it after a number of failures to go into battery. Sent to Ruger twice and tried numerous ammo.

I’ll order some of the recommended ammo

 

[bnewt3]

Looks to me like the core separated from the jacket before hitting the target. IMO that looks like the damage caused by only the jacket hitting.

So i wouldnt be thinking its a 380 problem, just THAT ammo. And maybe just THAT round. I would do more testing before arriving at any conclusions.

 

[PC356]

Certainly not defending the ammo in question but I’m betting those binder clips are made of some type of tempered spring steel and tougher than ya think. Not that it changes the concern much but just a thought.