Best .380 ammo

**crakkajakka15** · July 30th, 2008, 10:57 PM

I recently purchased a Ruger LCP and Im looking for some good carry ammo. And i know nothing about .380 ammo. Im all of my 9mm's I carry either Hornady TAP 147gr. I bought some Hydra Shok ammo for the .380 to carry just to hold me over till I found the best ammo. I found some boxes of .380 Winchester 95gr. Ranger ammo. Anyone have any exp with this .380 ammo or hornadys .380 ammo?

**Chevmeister** · August 3rd, 2008, 06:49 PM

well as i was going to say a few days ago i use federal hydra shock in my .380. havent tested it on a bg yet, and hope it works if i ever need to.

**gf45acp** · August 3rd, 2008, 07:43 PM

I have 2 p3at's. Both are loaded with Corbon PowRBall. When I got the first one I tried WW Silvertips, but had feeding problems with them. I use PowRBall in all of my carry autos now. It has been absolutely reliable in every gun I have used it in, in .380, 9mm, .40, and .45.
I am not saying that I have conducted ballistic testing in all of these guns, but the reliability is #1 for me.
That big, slick plastic nose just goes home every time.

**IV_Warrior** · August 3rd, 2008, 08:20 PM

Yeah, I'd try a couple brands, and see if you have any feeding issues with them. Then, decide between the ones that work flawlessly in your gun.

**Mr_Tom** · August 3rd, 2008, 10:39 PM

+1 on trying different types of ammo.

I use Golden Sabre's (102gr) since the ballistics tests(gelatin) suggest it has some real pluses. My second choice would be Federal Hydra-shoks, but the GS worked so well I never really tested them fully.

tom

P.S. Some people will say penitration is the issue, the quick fix would be mixing your ammo. FMJ, JHP, FMJ, JHP, FMJ, etc, etc, etc.......

**crakkajakka15** · August 3rd, 2008, 10:47 PM

I dont think penetration is a big issue with the .380 not atleast from all the tests of diff. ammo I have seen...some will argue this. The average i have seen is 10-14+ inches of penetration. I looking at expansion of the round, which round will give the most expansion. Also 102gr GS's are the heaviest .380 load correct?