Question on .380 defensive ammo…. have you tried this stuff?

[JimmyJet]

After a recommendation from my friend, Massad Ayoob, (kidding)…. I’ve been looking at some reviews on this Lehigh copper defensive ammo the past few days…. in the .380 it seems most JHP ammo is pretty anemic…. you might get "penetration" or you might get "expansion"…. but often, not both…. which typically relegates the .380 acp to a close-up "get off me gun"…. except for those that need something small, easy to rack, with a little less recoil….

That said, I’m looking for input from anyone that might have tried some of this stuff…. either the Lehigh Defense or some Underwood Xtreme Defender (using the Lehigh projectile)

What kind of accuracy do you see?
Any issues with cycling/casing ejection/jamming?
What firearm have you tried it in?

Reviews are suggesting it’s a pretty hot round that might give the little "get off me gun" a bit more respect….

Anybody?….. Buellllerrrrr?

 

[Chainshaw]

http://shootingthebull.net/blog/final-results-of-the-380-acp-ammo-quest/

Hornady XTP is the answer

To add to the response from Glocker, I have two LCPs and a S&W Bodyguard. The Hornady runs reliably through all three.

 

[glocker]

I haven’t used it. In my opinion in a lcp size pistol , I would take reliability of cycling before anything else. At least you would be poking a hole in the attacker, reliably. Glock 42 size ( my Glock 42 cycles anything) , I run hornady . A 380 will never be a 9mm, and you will never have a 9mm the size of a lcp.

 

[howl]

200 rounds to make sure of it costs $300. Would $300 plus the cost of the pistol afford a j-frame?

No, I have not tried it.

 

[MuleShoe]

I’ve tried several different ones but not that brand. The Speer gold dot 380 is best I’ve found for reliability and performance. Everything else I use federal HST but the 380’HST has feed issues in RUGER lcp for some reason. Also I polished feed ramps on my LCPs.

 

[Cadcom]

http://shootingthebull.net/blog/final-results-of-the-380-acp-ammo-quest/

Hornady XTP is the answer

To add to the response from Glocker, I have two LCPs and a S&W Bodyguard. The Hornady runs reliably through all three.

Thats the correct answer.

 

[Bypass]

After a recommendation from my friend, Massad Ayoob, (kidding)…. I’ve been looking at some reviews on this Lehigh copper defensive ammo the past few days…. in the .380 it seems most JHP ammo is pretty anemic…. you might get "penetration" or you might get "expansion"…. but often, not both…. which typically relegates the .380 acp to a close-up "get off me gun"…. except for those that need something small, easy to rack, with a little less recoil….

That said, I’m looking for input from anyone that might have tried some of this stuff…. either the Lehigh Defense or some Underwood Xtreme Defender (using the Lehigh projectile)

What kind of accuracy do you see?
Any issues with cycling/casing ejection/jamming?
What firearm have you tried it in?

Reviews are suggesting it’s a pretty hot round that might give the little "get off me gun" a bit more respect….

Anybody?….. Buellllerrrrr?

380 acp is FMJ only for me.

 

[JimmyJet]

http://shootingthebull.net/blog/final-results-of-the-380-acp-ammo-quest/

Hornady XTP is the answer

To add to the response from Glocker, I have two LCPs and a S&W Bodyguard. The Hornady runs reliably through all three.

I agree with you and [mention]Cadcom [/mention] on that, based on most of the info I can find out there…. both penetration and expansion looks more consistent (for a .380) in the gel tests than most everything else…. even the Speer Gold Dot… though the Sig V-Crown appears to perform satisfactorily as well…. was just looking to get feedback from anyone who might have already tried the Lehigh (type) projectile in a LCP/Bodyguard type pistol…. with that light of a grain, I might anticipate some issue…. otherwise, simply using good FMJ ammo (as Ayoob suggests) might be as effective…. minus the wound channel the Lehigh projectile is designed to create.

Agreed also, that a .380 will never be as effective for defense beyond about 5 to 7 yards as a 9 mm…. but I'm just thinking for someone that simply can’t handle a 9 mm as effectively….


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[buellbrewer]

i keep the hornady xtp in my keltec and sig 238. I ordered some of those Lehigh 65g for 380 , some 115g for 9mm and the 55g .224 controlled chaos but have not slowed down to stuff them yet..

 

[JimmyJet]

I’ve tried several different ones but not that brand. The Speer gold dot 380 is best I’ve found for reliability and performance. Everything else I use federal HST but the 380’HST has feed issues in RUGER lcp for some reason. Also I polished feed ramps on my LCPs.

I’ve carried Federal HST for close to 10 years in my pocket gun(s)…. though think I’m going to give Hornady XTF 90gr a try…. just bought 100 rounds at Adventure Outdoors (on sale for 30% less through Saturday)…. 20 bucks for a box of 25…. giving credit to gel test specs on Lucky Gunner's web site would suggest the Hornady and Sig V-Crown is the most consistent for penetration and expansion….


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk