A ? on Hollow points.
- Thread starter Big Tom
- Start date
orionengnr
New member
I see that you are a new member and I have seen a number of your posts recently asking a lot of questions.
Most of the these questions can be answered easily by following this one rule:
Do a search first.
Then ask a question.
There are literally thousands of posts here that will answer this (and many other) question(s).
Most of the these questions can be answered easily by following this one rule:
Do a search first.
Then ask a question.
There are literally thousands of posts here that will answer this (and many other) question(s).
Big Tom,
You can choose to load your mags with whatever YOU feel will be best for YOU, your skill level and the type of pistol you carry.
My wife has a KelTec .380 and she carries FMJ. Why? For that particular pistol, FMJ ammo seems to feed more reliably than HPs. Also, in the .380 round, penetration is your friend. HPs, striking a thick leather jacket or heavy coat, will not penetrate as well as the FMJ. The wound channel for the FMJ, at least as far as I'm concerned, is plenty ample.
Now, this is how I feel about this, however, many others prefer some type of HP ammo for THEIR .380.
Here's a good read.....
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1209241627/0
Bottom line is get some different types of ammo, shoot 'em thru your weapon of choice and keep notes.
That's part of the fun of being a gun owner and shooter!
Good luck in your search for the perfect match of bullet to YOUR pistol!
You can choose to load your mags with whatever YOU feel will be best for YOU, your skill level and the type of pistol you carry.
My wife has a KelTec .380 and she carries FMJ. Why? For that particular pistol, FMJ ammo seems to feed more reliably than HPs. Also, in the .380 round, penetration is your friend. HPs, striking a thick leather jacket or heavy coat, will not penetrate as well as the FMJ. The wound channel for the FMJ, at least as far as I'm concerned, is plenty ample.
Now, this is how I feel about this, however, many others prefer some type of HP ammo for THEIR .380.
Here's a good read.....
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1209241627/0
Bottom line is get some different types of ammo, shoot 'em thru your weapon of choice and keep notes.
That's part of the fun of being a gun owner and shooter!
Good luck in your search for the perfect match of bullet to YOUR pistol!
Orion,
I couldnt find anything, I googled for hours, got tired of looking. I now have a gun, it will not be put in m name until I am 21. It is the Bersa Thunder .380 with nickle finish. Cant wait to shoot it, and I wasnt sure if you legally HAD to carry HP for SD or not as I would prefer FMJ.
Terry,
thank you for the link. The reason why I asked is because for .380's HP's cost a helluva lot of money.
I couldnt find anything, I googled for hours, got tired of looking. I now have a gun, it will not be put in m name until I am 21. It is the Bersa Thunder .380 with nickle finish. Cant wait to shoot it, and I wasnt sure if you legally HAD to carry HP for SD or not as I would prefer FMJ.
Terry,
thank you for the link. The reason why I asked is because for .380's HP's cost a helluva lot of money.
There is no law against using FMJ (full Metal Jacket) ammunition for self defense. The only law re FMJ ammo I can think of is a prohibition against using it to hunt with in most states.
I wouldn't worry about under penetration with HP vs FMJ ammo for a .380. Maybe with a .32 in the winter if the bad guy is wearing a thick leather jacket and is fat, but otherwise it's not likely to be a problem.
I wouldn't worry about under penetration with HP vs FMJ ammo for a .380. Maybe with a .32 in the winter if the bad guy is wearing a thick leather jacket and is fat, but otherwise it's not likely to be a problem.
Osageshooter
New member
Our concealed carry instructor in Kansas recommends hollow points because that is what the police use. If you would ever have to shoot someone, there will be a lot of questions asked by a lot of authorities. To take the ammunition variable out of the equation, using the same ammunition as the police use solves that problem. Avoid handloads for any carry guns, except to practice with.
That said, there is no law or problem with using FMJ that I know of. All things being equal, hollow points are considered more effective.
That said, there is no law or problem with using FMJ that I know of. All things being equal, hollow points are considered more effective.
Smince,
I never said anything about it not being worth my life. I dont think you read the post correctly. What I am saying is in my opinion the FMJ is cheaper and is also better for use in a smaller caliber. Winter is just around the corner again and everyone will be wearing their big old jackets and several layers of clothes. So FMJ I think would not be a bad idea.
And to Gliesmann and ISC, I am just thinking that in the winter perhaps something with more punch would be better? Just wondering. Thou I may pick up a box of Federal HP, Hornady HP, and Remington Golden Saber HP. If they work good then hey maybe I found a good SD load after all...
I never said anything about it not being worth my life. I dont think you read the post correctly. What I am saying is in my opinion the FMJ is cheaper and is also better for use in a smaller caliber. Winter is just around the corner again and everyone will be wearing their big old jackets and several layers of clothes. So FMJ I think would not be a bad idea.
And to Gliesmann and ISC, I am just thinking that in the winter perhaps something with more punch would be better? Just wondering. Thou I may pick up a box of Federal HP, Hornady HP, and Remington Golden Saber HP. If they work good then hey maybe I found a good SD load after all...
I have the same mindset as you......I use several pocket 380s for SD and I use the standard FMJ rounds (I prefer Sellier & Bellot ammo) for self-defense. Less issues feeding ammo, cheaper, and most importantly for me I get more PENETRATION with FMJ vs. hollow points. With a small, relatively slow .380 round, I need all the penetration as I can get out of it. Most "field tests" I've seen have convinced me for MY NEEDS, the FMJ gets the penetration I want. YMMV
mxreloader
New member
you can load them with whatever you want..doesnt have to be a hollowpoint
g.willikers
New member
The Corbon DPX has a good reputation for both penetration and expansion.
But the equipment takes a back seat to training and skill.
But the equipment takes a back seat to training and skill.
There's no legal requirement for you to carry any particular kind of ammunition.
Traditionally, hollow point bullets are preferred for self-defense, while full metal jacket bullets (which are cheaper to manufacture) are used for target shooting.
With .380ACP, I have personally chosen to carry FMJ instead of HP ammo. .380 is a notoriously poor penetrator in the hollow point loadings I'm familiar with, which is why I'm going for penetration over expansion.
Ultimately, ensure whatever ammo you carry functions flawlessly in your gun.
Traditionally, hollow point bullets are preferred for self-defense, while full metal jacket bullets (which are cheaper to manufacture) are used for target shooting.
With .380ACP, I have personally chosen to carry FMJ instead of HP ammo. .380 is a notoriously poor penetrator in the hollow point loadings I'm familiar with, which is why I'm going for penetration over expansion.
Ultimately, ensure whatever ammo you carry functions flawlessly in your gun.
FMJ works in everything. It is the round that will function if others do not. But if you are going to use your pistol for self defense you are most likely going to be close to your target. Even a round traveling at 900 fps is going three football fields a second. That round will penetrate at close range if it is fmj or hollow point. So as others have said, use what works best in your pistol.
Edward429451
Moderator
That's a little harsh, don't you think? In mousegun calibers like the 380 there's a school of thought that fmj is your friend because it feeds more reliably and penetrates better than HP's. The OP leans towards this camp of thinking. Makes sense to me.
I'm in this camp. I think that small calibers you should have fmj, and the larger calibers don't need hp's lol. True story ;-)
war_elephant
New member
If you are going to carry a 380, I would recommend Hornady Critical Defense, the round is close to 9mm in performance and while it is considered ball ammo, it performs like a hollow point.
I remember responding to several shootings where 380 was used, one guy shot 8 times in back with FMJ, he was still walking around and very angry about being shot. One of the rounds fell out of the wound when we sat him down for the medics to work on him. Having tested the Critical defense ammo, it is all we would allow our officers to carry in 380 guns.
War_elephant
Firearms Instructor, Retired LEO, and all around nice guy
:
I remember responding to several shootings where 380 was used, one guy shot 8 times in back with FMJ, he was still walking around and very angry about being shot. One of the rounds fell out of the wound when we sat him down for the medics to work on him. Having tested the Critical defense ammo, it is all we would allow our officers to carry in 380 guns.
War_elephant
Firearms Instructor, Retired LEO, and all around nice guy
:katana8869
New member
I keep telling myself that if I work real hard at it, one day I can be one of the cool people making statements like this on the internet.... They all sound so cool and it really starts these silly newcomers off on the right foot
Not.
midlandwalther
New member
I would consider a fmj or hardcast. The hardcast offering from Buffalo Bore is a good load but might not feed due to the flat profile.
JHPs, .380acp 9mmNATO-.40-.357sig
I'm not aware of the DE state laws or city/county ordanances-bylaws about pistol rounds but for the .380acp, I'd suggest a Magsafe Horandy Critical Defense Glaser/Corbon Safety Slug or at the least, a Winchester Silvertip 85gr JHP. To me, the .380acp is a poor selection for a main sidearm/protection weapon. In 2010, you can find or buy a great 9x19/9mmNATO .40S&W or best; .357sig carry pistol.
A SIG P239 DAK a PX4 Subcompact, a Glock 26/27/33(with a NY-1 trigger) or a HK P2000sk LEM would be very good.
See www.handgunlaw.us or www.NRA.org for state gun laws/information.
Clyde F
I'm not aware of the DE state laws or city/county ordanances-bylaws about pistol rounds but for the .380acp, I'd suggest a Magsafe Horandy Critical Defense Glaser/Corbon Safety Slug or at the least, a Winchester Silvertip 85gr JHP. To me, the .380acp is a poor selection for a main sidearm/protection weapon. In 2010, you can find or buy a great 9x19/9mmNATO .40S&W or best; .357sig carry pistol.
A SIG P239 DAK a PX4 Subcompact, a Glock 26/27/33(with a NY-1 trigger) or a HK P2000sk LEM would be very good.
See www.handgunlaw.us or www.NRA.org for state gun laws/information.
Clyde F
Call the DE State Police and ask, or look on the DE.gov website, they have the state code and firearms statutes that will give you state-specific information.
I'm fairly certain DE has no restrictions on FMJ. In a .380 semi-auto, I would carry FMJ, with a heavy-for-caliber projectile, and one reload. Any shots taken will likely be at very close range, and accuracy beyond 7 yards is unimportant.
That said, I think you'd be better off with a Glock 23 (.40S&W) or Glock 30 (.45ACP). And some training, both general, and specific to carrying a trigger-safety firearm.
I'm fairly certain DE has no restrictions on FMJ. In a .380 semi-auto, I would carry FMJ, with a heavy-for-caliber projectile, and one reload. Any shots taken will likely be at very close range, and accuracy beyond 7 yards is unimportant.
That said, I think you'd be better off with a Glock 23 (.40S&W) or Glock 30 (.45ACP). And some training, both general, and specific to carrying a trigger-safety firearm.