POLL .380 Ammo JHP or FMJ for self defense?

[dozerboy]

I've heard good things about about Speer Gold dots. I have been think of getting some .380 BUGs and that my plan for ammo.

[michael e]

JHP in my LCP. Its a BUG so would be a really bad day if had to use and with how hot it is down here im not worried about someone with 5 layers of clothes on to go threw.

[MoJo]

If I were to carry a .380 again (chances are slight since I gave my P3AT to my step daughter) It would be loaded with CorBon DPX if the gun will function with it.

[atxtj]

FMJ's wont fit in the Seecamp, so Silvertips or hydrashoks for me.

[gigag04]

Kahr P380 is flawless with SGDs.

[RPB]

FMJ's wont fit in the Seecamp, so Silvertips or hydrashoks for me.

True
and the reason for that is ...

When L. W. Seecamp designed the .32 Seecamp... he searched and researched for the most reliable, most effective "stopping" round based upon all real shootings, rather than just wet newspaper/gelatin tests etc ... and the Silvertip won (at that time in the 1980s) Even in .32 acp ... the hollowpoints were more effective than FMJ
So, he designed his guns for that cartridge.

That's in .32 ACP; then later he made the .380 acp pistols

If you want more penetration, go heavier grained bullets at higher velocities.

might be interesting if there was a study on the average depth/ chest to back, of a gang member/robber etc.

I'm no body builder, 10 inches would over penetrate my center mass .... a shot to my belt line/ gut would require more energy to get where it's going to do much though.

JHPs, and placement.
IIRC, the Governor used a .380 JHP on the coyote ... and didn't even have to tell it to roll over and play dead.

A FMJ which passes through, fails to dump/leave all the energy. If it p[asses through, you wasted part of a potential energy dump. In smaller cartridges which start out with less energy, how much are you willing to waste?

Unless you need to shoot through a car window/door first, I'd go JHP ... but really you can alternate them if your gun functions like that.

Like if a gun is built for ONLY JHP (Like Seecamp) one could try a FMJ chambered ... then a mag full of JHPs ... and see if it functions ... but imho, FMJ is made for target practice, and JHP for defense.

[Mike from Texas]

I shoot Speer Gold Dots in my 380s. Buffalo Bore has a 90 grain "+P" JHP loading that is a Speer Gold Dot bullet. Claims 1135fps from a Kahr P380 which is my latest 380 purchase.

They also offer a Barnes DPX 80 grain load that looks interesting as well.

[sugar land dave]

Currently I carry the LCP as a pocket gun in holster. It has FMJ in it as that is all I have had time to test it with, and it performed flawlessly through 100 rounds. If when I test it with JHP, it performs as well, I will consider buying the Corbon DPX recommended earlier in this thread.

With my 1911 45, I practice with FMJ, but carry JHP. As I think many have said on this forum. Go practice, learn which SD ammunition feeds reliably. Carry the one you find most reliable for the firearm, and don't worry.

[RPB]

A FMJ which passes through, fails to dump/leave all the energy. If it p[asses through, you wasted part of a potential energy dump. In smaller cartridges which start out with less energy, how much are you willing to waste?

Energy dump is a myth - I'll answer this later.

Well, yeah I know ... but I was trying to reply before coffee and keep it short. (6:45 am)
I still prefer a JHP, or at least a soft point in any caliber not having to go through walls/glass etc first, because my .45 barrel won't fit my .380/.32 frames

[e-bil]

JHP for anything shy of a mortar.

60mm, 80mm, or 4.2"? :D

[40khammer]

A FMJ which passes through, fails to dump/leave all the energy. If it p[asses through, you wasted part of a potential energy dump. In smaller cartridges which start out with less energy, how much are you willing to waste?

Energy dump is a myth - I'll answer this later.

Care to elaborate?

[The Annoyed Man]

I'd rather have a wide permanent cavity than a narrow one, sure - but I won't trade penetration for it.

This is why I am not a fan of the frangible ammo types. To me, the best bullet is the one that penetrates deeply without overpenetrating. That would mean a hollowpoint bullet. Obviously, from a purely wounding perspective, the JHP that makes a large permanent wound cavity AND produces an exit wound would be the superior choice—which is why that is a better hunting bullet. But, from a purely safety perspective in a self-defense scenario, I don't want the bullet to exit because it leaves less to worry about downrange.