OH WOW!!! LOOK AT BRASSFETCHER'S NEW .380AMMO SUMMARY!!

[oldgranpa]

Brassfetcher has done a remarkable amount of work with .380ammo using a KelTec P3AT pistol. His new summary is a large .pdf file using the link below. It may take awhile to download. And you might need the latest Adobe reader, version 9, to see it. Fantastic!

http://www.brassfetcher.com/380ACP%20ammunition%20performance%20in%20ballistic%20gelatin.pdf

[fastgun for hire]

This is an impressive report.

However, I note that the round with perhaps the best results at least in penetration is listed
as "Unknown" for the temperature of the block and the core. This is the Hydra Shok.

If the block was too soft or too warm to be considered suitable for being labeled as calibrated wouldn't this skew the results and maybe even be meaningless?

[oldgranpa]

 
thanks much for your reply and observation.
 
you are so right. I'm reasonably sure his blocks are all made under the same controlled conditions. But why he didn't finish all the calibration on these is unclear. The results were excellent and all we can hope is the blocks were good.

Another gel tester, GoldenLoki, did not include the Fed HydraShok in his recent test report.
 Check goldenloki.com
   And the only other gel test I could find was an old, 1991 report by FBI on firearmstactical.com that was unconclusive.

I didn't include Fed HydraShok 380 in my recent March 2010 wetpack test either. Perhaps I need to do another test and compare it with Golddot and DPX.
In my Oct 2009 test I did include it and it did well but slightly less than Golddot. But equal to 12"gelatin penetration. I can't answer more than that.

Check here....    http://usrange.org/smf/index.php?topic=3843.0

Cheers,
og

[fastgun for hire]

I do like the Hydra Shok round.
Much of my "knowledge" about what is good ammo is getting somewhat aged by now.
There are so many changes in self defense ammo these days it is difficult to stay cutting edge.

I would very much enjoy any new testing you might do. Have you noticed that Buffalo Bore now offers non +p .380 choices?  I think that the heavy non +p round will be my next purchase to try out

Until further tests are done I think that the Hydra Shok, Golden Sabre, Gold Dot, DpX rounds would all be as wise of choices as one could make.

Thank you for your inputs. They are enjoyed.

[oldgranpa]

It's really interesting that BuffaloBore now has a none+p round. Perhaps all the concern about damage to pistols made them decide to back off.  I note that Midway has it for about the same price as the +p. Velocity 1025 compared to 1175 for the +p. Also, Midway shows a new Remington 102 gr round available April 2 with velocity 900+. Plus, maybe they will have more HydraShok available by then too.
I'll try to order some of all three after they show it available.

Now, what I won't be testing are these...
BuffaloBore +p....ain't gonna take a chance on damage to my pistols.
Hornady Critical Defense....lot's of reports of FTFire due to bad primers. Unkown why, except possible foreign primers. One report even suggested they were Berdan. GL tested it with fair results, just short of 12" penetration. BF didn't test it but showed XTP instead.
Extreme Shock...frangible ammo. Expensive too. Not for me.
DoubleTap...not going to test anymore. It's really +p and has severe recoil. No better performance than plain Speer GD.

So later on maybe I'll have more test data. In the meantime, stick with your HydraShock, GoldDot, or DPX.

And all, remember, test data is just test data. The proof is your choice and actual results in SD. In no way are we telling anyone what's best. There ain't no best!! (Except maybe .50cal  )

og......who sure ain't the best, either!!

[oldgranpa]

ordered the Buffalo Bore std velocity 380 JHP today. Did not order any of the Rem new 102gr. As far as I can tell it is the same Golden Saber round just packaged in a new box. Expected velocity is the same.

So next test, when I can do it, will include the new BB, GD, DPX, and Fed HydraShok in 380.

More later.

og

[fastgun for hire]

I note that this HP round is as fast or maybe a tiny bit faster than Cor Bon.

I hope it give a good performance, simple because with the technology available today we are "due" a better .380 hollow point round.  Why we are due this is just me wishing for it.

How do you see the heavy flat nose Buffalo Bore working as a self defense round?

I know many .380 solids will penetrate just as well, but  will the flat nose give better "stopping" affect?

[oldgranpa]

As I noted elsewhere, I received the box of BB Std.Pressure 380 JHP. Comments thus far...

1. The box must be a "one size fits all". Large enough for 50cal. Could hardly see the 380's in it.
2. Brass cases marked with star,dash,star. Apparently Starline brass. Probably fine.
3. Bullet appears to be like old CorBon 90gr JHP, large cavity. Tests in 2004, the CorBon did not expand. Hope this stuff does better.

Maybe get to do range test on it next week.

Regarding flatnose FMJ ammo. I think the penetration might be excessive. The better JHP ammo, GoldDot, HydraShok, gets good enough penetration, good expansion, without excessive penetration. But it's a personal choice what to carry. If aim, placement is very good, then a .22LR bullet might be fine!!
Can't tell you or anyone what to carry. But after the next wetpack test I hope to have some personal ratings on .380 ammo and comments on pocket handguns in general.

If you like to read reviews, I find police reviews to be very honest. Try this site and search for .380 reviews.....

http://forums.officer.com/forums/

Cheers,
og

[D!rtyH@rry]

OG, thanks and i wish you the best.


i have noticed since the run on ammo the custom shops are like a roulette wheel when it comes to what projectile you recieve. makes me want to continue to stay away.