Self-defense .380ACP ammo for my Beretta 85FS

A

American Eagle

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I need help. For a while now I have been carrying ball ammo in my Beretta 85FS. Ball ammo does provide great penetration, but nothing else. Is there a brand of hollow point ammo you could recommend for me that would expand reliably? The Beretta Cheetah does have a long barrel as far as .380 semi-autos are concerned, so am guessing a decent hollow point bullet might perform well in it.

Anyway, let me know if you have any ideas as to what I should be looking at.
 
I stay with FMJ for 380 or smaller guns for CCW also FMJ.

I know some 380 auto guns have problem loading JHP
 
Ok, all FMJ and JHP recommendations will be welcomed then. Surely whatever you guys suggest is better than the cheapo target ball ammo that I am currently carrying.
 
There have been a lot of good reviews on Hornady Critical Defense. That's what I have decided to carry in my LCP. You will undoubtedly get resposnses recomending some of the "super" brands that claim to have 380+P ammo. Just remember, there is no such a thing! They are either pushing the SAAMI pressures to the absolute limit, or exceeding them.
 
For both my wife and I, we use the CorBon DPX (barnes tac-xp), pricy but very reliable. Buffalo Bore now offers also the Barnes tac-xp in the 380 now which I plan to use after the next ammo rotation.
 
I carry Buffalo Bore 95-gr JHP (sold as +P) in my Bersa Thunder 380. I also have a magazine loaded with BB 100-gr hard cast flat nose (HCFN) lead, also marketed as +P.

As stated by others, there is no SAAMI standard for +P in 380, but it has a nice kick to it.

I have found that they shoot and feed reliably, and there is a definitely noticeable difference in felt recoil compared to Winchester PDX1 JHPs, which I also have.

I recently purchased a box of Winchester Ranger T 95-gr JHPs (RA380T). I haven't had a chance to shoot any of these yet, but Winchester has their performance results posted on their web site: http://www.winchester.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/flash-SWFs/law_bullit.swf


Corbon DPX all-copper ammo is highly regarded for the .380s and expands reliably, but is somewhat expensive at around $30 for a box of 20. I don't have any personal experience with it myself.
 
I have had problems with Hornady Critical Defense .380 ammo not firing. When loaded in to a second gun the ammo still would not fire.

The Corbon hollow points are good. Whether you use the all copper DPX or the original Corbon you are using a good bullet. Before the Corbon DPX came around most Bersa guys (longer barrel .380) swore by Speer Gold Dot.

I have seen mixed results with the Golden Saber and the Federal Hydro Shok Personal Defense. The Golden Sabers have issues with the jacket seperating and are velocity sensitive. The Hydra Shok has issues with clogging. In a long barrel .380 the Golden Saber might be more reliable. I would test several rounds for expansion.
 
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These Spear Gold Dots you mentioned...I used to carry them in .38 SPL +P when all I had was my old snub nose revolver. How are they when it comes to .380 ACP? That sounds like a good alternative to Hornady with it's reliability issues.

I'm also intrigued by the Buffalo Bore some of you mentioned. I'm going to have to take a closer look at those.

Keep up the great suggestions. Thank you! :D
 
There is 100gr. +P Buffalo Bore 380ACP that is doing around 1140fps and has 294ft/lbs which is approaching some decent loads in terms of 'stopping power'. A term I use very loosley.
 
AE, from what I've seen they usually get between 10 and 11 inches of penetration from a Bersa. I have never heard of an expansion issue.

I am a huge fan of Winchester and Federal LE ammo. However, in .380 I would probably only carry Gold Dots.
 
For the Beretta .380 Pistol
For self-defence purpose. Always consider the climate conditions. Durring the Summer / Spring months I load with JHP..... For the Fall / Winter months I load with FMJ.
Reason: Warmer conditions people wear less clothing. Cold/Fridgid conditions more layered clothing....It's all about the penetration.

Federal 'Hydra Shock' JHP (Best)
Cor-bon JHP
Speer 'Gold Dot' JHP
Remington FMJ
 
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Ok, all FMJ and JHP recommendations will be welcomed then.
Click to expand...
If you choose standard-pressure FMJ, I have heard good things about the Fiocchi 95gr FMJ load. The Europeans take .380ACP (and .32ACP) FMJ more seriously as SD rounds than most Americans do, so their ammo is loaded hotter than most American-made stuff.
 
Europeans are into the all steel constructed pistols. It's whats marketed there.
The older and new all steel frame and slide CZ's, Makarov, Beretta's, Sigs, Mausers, Walthers are heavier built guns. So they handle the hotter loads better.
And I do believe the european laws and resrtictions only allow for FMJ only.
Fiocchi and Sellier & Bellot are very decent brands.
 
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:)Like your name I use American Eagle. I bought a 1000 rd. case from Sportsman Supply on Gun Broker. It was about $200 for the case and free shipping. I have bought from them several times and never a problem. Always fast shipping. Don
 
Lots of view points so far, but the bottom line is what works 100% reliably in your gun. For instance, MikeNice81 has had problems with CD, where it has worked perfectly 100% of the time in my LCP.
Take all the advise, spend a little money, and buy a box each of two, or three of the suggested rounds to see how they function in your particular firearm.
Bullet performance means nothing if your gun doesn't go BANG!!!
 
Reason: Warmer conditions people wear less clothing. Cold/Fridgid conditions more layered clothing....It's all about the penetration.
Click to expand...

If the bullet becomes clogged with fabric it becomes a FMJ. So, why switch. If it doesn't clog you get a hp.
 
The fmj is about the only consistent loading for deep penetration in 380acp.

Anything else is questionable. The round is simply too weak to make good use of a hollow point. It doesn't have the energy to overcome its poor sectional density, which degrades further when it expands.

Stick to fmj for 380acp, unless you worry about the bullet leaving the body and hitting somebody you don't want to, then go with a hollow point.
 
.380acp rounds; the good, the bad & the well you know...

I'm not really thrilled with the .380acp caliber in general for concealed carry or protection but I know it is very popular with many US gun owners & concealed license holders.
I do recall that in my 2008 armed security class, I reminded my instructor that state SOPs allowed the .380acp for duty use by armed PIs/security.
He looked at me like I just kicked his dog! ;)
Really I'd stick to a ball type frangible or special purpose .380acp load if it cycles & feeds properly in the Beretta .380acp semi auto.
The Corbon DPX, PowRball, the Hornady Critical Defense or TAP, the Glaser Safety Slug, the Speer Gold Dot JHP or the Golden Saber ammunition would be worth a look.
Check here; www.shopcorbon.com www.cabelas.com www.sgammo.com www.Brownells.com www.sportsmansguide.com .

Stay safe & stay legal:
Clyde
 
Im telling you I think that Buffalo Bore Hard Cast 100gr. +P 1124ft/sec 294ft/lbs is perfect. The Beretta will be able to handle them just use the sparingly. I always use +P sparingly and it also depends on the firearm.
 
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