Underwood .380 ACP 100gr +P Hard Cast in Clear Ballistics Gel

The Underwood extreme defender is my go to for .380. Good performance on meat and bone. (Fresh deer) deep penetration and scary wound tracks.

I was impressed, and yes, we did use hardball too. Those went deeper than expected, but just an icepick wound.

I trust those funky little rounds. I stocked up 1k in 9mm and 250 in .380. I like the HST's as well, so I invested in a case of those as well.

I guess the bottom line is that Underwood does good ammo. That little hardcast pill will get it done. That's some impressive penetration for a pocket pistol.
 
Good to know.
Since this thread is 6mos old. I will take liberty to add a recent and surprising event that happened to me.
I have carried an LCP for several years now as my personal edc choice.
A few weeks ago. I had to dispatch a wounded whitetail deer. This one happened to be a buck.
While it lay suffering and unable to get up from its obviously mortal wounds, I walked up behind him and delivered a point blank coup de grace. ...Behind the ear with my .380 loaded with federal HST hollow points. I turned away to let the animal expire in peace. Much to my surprise he began to thrash again. I quickly moved up and delivered another directly to the center of his forehead. This time the end was quick.
I used my Sawzall to open the skull and find out why my first shot failed. Much to my surprise the first slug was found flattened against the skull bone without penetrating it!
The second had BARELY penetrated the skull and was found just inside. Both slugs were completely blossomed into nearly perfect mushrooms.....but poor penetration.
I was more than a little disappointed in my little 380/ammo combination. I will be carrying fmj from now on. This is my second such penetration experience. The first was a Hornady critical defense that failed to penetrate a 2liter bottle of water!. I found the slug inside the bottle!

Suit yourselves fellow .380 carriers.....but I will be shooting fmj....and the above Underwood is even better!
Best wishes.
 
I often carry the Buffalo Bore hardcast in my Remington RM380.

I just dusted off my old Sig P232 and carry it on occasion. It’s loaded with Gold Dots. I figure the extra barrel length will get decent velocity.

But. I’m debating that now. May go back to the hardcast.

I’m all about penetration. But. I often find myself in Las Vegas. I don’t usually sweat a pass through. But, a place like Vegas is a really dense “no shoot” environment where I would actually concern myself with zipping through someone who needs shooting. And, 50 people behind him.
 
Still a winchester flat nose 380 fan. Much cheaper, boxes of 50. Looks to only give up a couple inches here to +p hardcast boutique ammo.

Most test shows the 95 gr flat nose going 27 inches or so. Minimal recoiling accurate round, that's from an lcp.
 
I have been to several shootings with .380 fmj. One I distinctly recall was a fatal, that was a home invader plunked in the bean with a PPK/s wielding homeowner. Far too many others were not fatal. On at least two occasions we had to tell the guy he was shot. (I told one big dude who took a through and through to his bicep. He wasn’t even aware he was shot. He thought at first he just got punched on the arm.)

The .380 is one of those extreme compromises, with the portable guns we like the round just seems to go through bodies with fmj but doesn’t penetrate very well with jhp. I will carry it too, with Win SXT stuff or the HST, but I would use golden saber or critical defense if I had it.

I would like to see 1100 fps from a 95 gr jhp+P load. Recoil wouldn’t be pleasant, but maybe that extra zip would help the performance a bit more.

Stay safe.
 
Hell, I don't want to even think about 1021'sec out of an LCP. My 900'sec loads are snappy enough. Have a lot of confidence in the old LCP, as regards reliability, but I'm still astonished it ran. Wonder how those loads would work in a more substantial .380, like a G42.
As regards putting down a deer, pulled the same stunt with a .38 snub; no longer recall the load, but she was DRT.
Moon
 
@Armored farmer thank you for sharing your experience. I have went back and forth with what to carry in my LCPII. I have typically carry a defense hollow point. Many people have suggested using FMJ'S or something like the Hardcast Underwood. It is time to change thanks for the recommendation.
I really like carrying my LCPII in the summer when shorts are my preferred attire.
I have been contemplating about upgrading to the LCP Max for the additional capacity. But leaning towards a micro 9mm like a Hellcat or Shield Plus.
 
WisBorn said:
@Armored farmer thank you for sharing your experience. I have went back and forth with what to carry in my LCPII. I have typically carry a defense hollow point. Many people have suggested using FMJ'S or something like the Hardcast Underwood. It is time to change thanks for the recommendation.
I really like carrying my LCPII in the summer when shorts are my preferred attire.
I have been contemplating about upgrading to the LCP Max for the additional capacity. But leaning towards a micro 9mm like a Hellcat or Shield Plus.
Click to expand...
I really enjoy carrying the little LCP around the farm and locally.
I was really disappointed that the Federal HSTs didn't penetrate the skull of a whitetail. It gave me reservations about penetration and heavy winter clothes.
I will continue to carry the lcp...but I'm switching to FMJ'S....they're cheaper too.
 
FMJs are all that I've ever carried in various .380s. Also hardcast RN.

When I first started carrying I carried Silvertips in my 1908 Colt. After that it was FMJs or hardcast.
 
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