380 BUG

[Pat Riot]

Sarge7402, GEM and scaatylobo have it right.

TEST YOUR GUN! Use every type of ammo to make sure it’s reliable. Finding out the lip of an XTP or a Hydro-Shok bullet hangs on the lip of a mag or finding a particular ammo stovepipes in your gun when shooting can be deadly...for you!

Don’t worry about what others carry until you have narrowed down what’s reliable in your particular 380. Then you can decide based on other’s recommendations.

 

[sgt127]

I carry a Remington RM380 as a Bug at work. It replaced a S&W 642 I carried for over 25 years.

Corbon hard cast (non +P) is what I carry. They run well.

In .380, The hollow points do well in gel tests. I’m afraid they won’t do as well if they first hit a rib or an arm.

 

[wally]

I liked my SIG P238 as a BUG until I got my SIG 938.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

I carry a .380 as a BUG once in awhile or even as a primary "grocery getter" gun. I prefer FMJ's in the weapon but with a flat nose.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Almost every thread asking about ammo choices inevitably turn to Buffalo Bore and Underwood. When did the highest velocity ammo become the standard for the best ammo? This obsession with bullet speed is overdone IMO. Accuracy and 100% reliability in your gun is much more important especially since most modern bullets today will perform as intended.

I use 3 different .38 Special ammos, 2 different .357 Magnum and 45 Auto ammo and several different 9mm offerings. What the gun likes is what I feed it and sometimes it's even the ammo with the highest velocity.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

I have Underwood 100 grain flat nosed hard casts @ 1150 FPS in my LCP.

I used to think the same thing . . . you need all the penetration you can get with a .380. That wa until I watched a lot of gel tests. Non-HP .380 will overpenetrate. I'm a fan of the XTP althought they tend to be velocity sensitive on the expansion vs. penetration relationship.

Mike

 

[dickydalton]

I used to think the same thing . . . you need all the penetration you can get with a .380. That wa until I watched a lot of gel tests. Non-HP .380 will overpenetrate. I'm a fan of the XTP althought they tend to be velocity sensitive on the expansion vs. penetration relationship.

Mike

This is Minnesota where people wear more clothing a lot and coats 2/3 of the time!

 

[d'zaster]

Hornady Critical defense cycles well in my Kahr P380 which is pretty damned finicky.

 

[sgt127]

I agree. Velocity is not the be all/end all. I carry the non +P .380.

My .45’s are 230 grain non +P.

Wear and tear on the gun and ability of fast follow ups are reasons why I avoid the hotter stuff.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Beretta Pico with PrecisionONE Plus P. The gun is built to handle it and it is alway's reliable. Actually about the same velocity as Hornady. A favorite For the Kahr as well also plus p rated.