380ACP, Whats a good SD load?

I guess Speer Gold Dot does come in 50 rnd boxes for 380.
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Do any of you know what the FPS is in those? I've been loading that same bullet with 4 grains of 231 and consistently averaging 1065 FPS. I don't think I'd shoot them out of a thin wall barrel like the KelTec (Right behind the muzzle, the wall thickness is only .017") but that's the only .380 I on that is like that.
 
However, given how slow the velocity with .380 is and how guns can be different, I've come to the conclusion that hollow points in the .380 are not the best choice. I've really found myself liking the copper/polymer bullets with the flutes cut in the nose. I don't know how much damage those flutes do, but I like that the bullets weigh less than what a .32 ACP does, so you get a high velocity and lower recoil and generally 11-12 inches penetration in gel, which is good for what the .380 pocket pistols are.
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The flutes cause quite a bit of havoc - in gel, anyway.

Velocity is what sold me on the Underwood loads. 65g XD at 1,400FPS. That's impressive. Even the 90g XP runs out the muzzle at 1,200FPS.
 
Saurdaukar said:
The flutes cause quite a bit of havoc - in gel, anyway.

Velocity is what sold me on the Underwood loads. 65g XD at 1,400FPS. That's impressive. Even the 90g XP runs out the muzzle at 1,200FPS.
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Is that velocity based off data you've personally tested or just what Underwood is claiming the velocity is?

I ask because most manufacturers claims of velocity come from tests using 4 inch or longer barrels and most .380 pocket guns have barrels less than 3 inches.
 
Is that velocity based off data you've personally tested or just what Underwood is claiming the velocity is?

I ask because most manufacturers claims of velocity come from tests using 4 inch or longer barrels and most .380 pocket guns have barrels less than 3 inches.
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Cannot say I've personally tested velocity. Don't have the gear. Those numbers are manufacturer claims.

However, there are a few videos out there where the loads in question have been put through a chrono by others, out of various length barrels, and the claimed numbers do seem to hold up - and are actually remarkably consistent.
 
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