what is your preferred 380 JHP?

[Tim Ault]

Double tap .380, it's the only .380 I've ever seen that's over mach 1.

Buffalo Bore make three loadings that are all over 1125 fps

[The Sig]

Buffalo Bore make three loadings that are all over 1125 fps

Oh that's good to know.

[max384]

I carry my reloads. 115 gr JHP over 2.9gr Bullseye. This gives me about 800fps as actually chronoed by me out of a 2.75" barrel. I like the heavier 115gr bullets.

[gf45acp]

For Klutch,

I have not done any extensive tests, but I have never observed one that did not expand properly in range use. This includes .380, 9mm, .40, and .45ACP. Thankfully, havn't had to shoot anything but targets with one.
They are a good bit hotter than standard ball. The p3at's are very light, and even regular ball is snappy, but I have friends that hate to shoot the PowerBall in them. My boss, who is 6' 4" and 350 fired 4 rounds out of one and quit.
The thing I really like about these is that in any of the calibers above I have never had any sort of failure with them. You still get expansion, but you have the feed profile of ball.
When I bought my first p3at I bought WW Silvertips with it, and it would not even consider feeding them. To short overall length I believe.

[jshwak]

I've been very satisfied with my Corbon DPX Hollowpoints that I've been using in my P3AT...

[*Klutch*]

For Klutch,

I have not done any extensive tests, but I have never observed one that did not expand properly in range use. This includes .380, 9mm, .40, and .45ACP. Thankfully, havn't had to shoot anything but targets with one.
They are a good bit hotter than standard ball. The p3at's are very light, and even regular ball is snappy, but I have friends that hate to shoot the PowerBall in them. My boss, who is 6' 4" and 350 fired 4 rounds out of one and quit.
The thing I really like about these is that in any of the calibers above I have never had any sort of failure with them. You still get expansion, but you have the feed profile of ball.
When I bought my first p3at I bought WW Silvertips with it, and it would not even consider feeding them. To short overall length I believe.

I have just seen some testing in 380 and 9mm where they have jacket separation and poor expansion, plus they are hot as hell.
My P3AT has fed everything so far, I had one misfeed but I think I limp wristed it. I like the Hornady and PDX-1 and was considering the CorBon DPX but have not tested them yet. I can get my hands on some locally I'll do some tests and find the ones that are reliable consistently.
I also just got an Armalaser for it and I really like it.

[*Klutch*]

I've been very satisfied with my Corbon DPX Hollowpoints that I've been using in my P3AT...

That's the next round I test.

[max384]

You do realize that you'll likely get zero expansion with a 115gr.JHP moving at 800fps. You'd be better off using 95gr.FMJ ammo.

Tmygun:-)

Do you have any data to back up that claim? What velocity is required for reliable expansion of a 115gr JHP?

If a hollowpoint doesn't expand, than it does the same thing as a full metal jacket. In that case, I'd rather have the heavier bullet. When I was testing loads for the .380, I loaded some 90gr JHPs and got just under 880fps. In terms of kinetic energy, that gives the 90gr bullet 155 ft-lbs and the 115gr bullet 163 ft-lbs of energy. It's not a big difference, but I can use the same bullets in my 9mm and .380 this way and save money by buying in bulk.


All of my testing was using either a Ruger LCP or Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380, both of which have 2.75" barrel. The chronograph was a Chrony Alpha Master placed approximately 16 to 18 feet away.

[Tim Ault]

Do you have any data to back up that claim? What velocity is required for reliable expansion of a 115gr JHP?

If a hollowpoint doesn't expand, than it does the same thing as a full metal jacket. In that case, I'd rather have the heavier bullet.

I fully agree with this ,Thats why I choose a heavy cast FN bullet instead of a HP in the lesser calibers

[39flathead]

In my LCP, I have 3 Critical Defense backed by 4 Buffalo Bore 90grn HP's.