380 ammo

[dkaiser76]

What is everyone's favorite? Bang for buck? Total stopping power? Let's hear it!

I like MagTech!

[searcher451]

This thread ...

http://www.waltherforums.com/forum/f...son-chart.html

... might be of interest to those who are just getting into shooting their PK380s and are looking for some comparisons or suggestions.

[dkaiser76]

K, thanks! I shoot quite a bit, so FMC ammo is most efficient for me. Were I to carry, then $1/round would not be a concern. That being said, I would also like to see more on the Buffalo Bore!

[jcannady]

Originally Posted by dkaiser76

K, thanks! I shoot quite a bit, so FMC ammo is most efficient for me. Were I to carry, then $1/round would not be a concern. That being said, I would also like to see more on the Buffalo Bore!

I carry buffalo bore 100 gr hardcast in both my S&W PPK/S and my Interarms PPK. It is hot so you don't want to put any more through the gun than is necessary to be confident in the round, but at 298 FTE it makes the PPK as stout as a 9mm. I don't trust a .380 to expand fully and I'm not concerned about overpenetration. I want the bullet to slice and dice the BG's internals. I know that buffalo bore is the best for that among .380s.

Jim

[bagellord]

The problem with slicing and dicing is that it may not deliver enough energy to make them stop immediately. A hollow point will expand and deliver more energy, and discourage them from continued attack. A FMJ round may cause more bleeding and be more likely to kill them, opening you up for civil/criminal problems.

[jcannady]

Originally Posted by bagellord

The problem with slicing and dicing is that it may not deliver enough energy to make them stop immediately. A hollow point will expand and deliver more energy, and discourage them from continued attack. A FMJ round may cause more bleeding and be more likely to kill them, opening you up for civil/criminal problems.

The .380 simply does not have the stopping power of a heavier round. Penetration that enables the bullet to destroy vital tissues is your only reliable way of stopping an attacker with a .380.

As stated on the Buffalo Bore website:

" What you see with Buffalo Bore Ammo, is truly what you get in the "real world", where it matters. You can expect 20+ inches of straight-line penetration in flesh and bone with this load. If you are worried about over penetration with this load, DON'T! You chose to carry a tiny under-powered 380 auto pistol and the trade-off is that you are now going to have to stay alive with that pistol and over penetration will be the least of your worries if you end up needing this gun to save yourself or your family."

Finally, while civil or criminal penalties may result from shooting someone it 's the chance we are taking in being armed. The only way to avoid it is to buy a Taser.

Jim

[nexus]

Buffalo Bore is a good choice but not one I would recommend for a PK380 simply because it is a "HOT" load.
When I do carry my PK380 I have it loaded with Hornady Critical Defense because it's a decently engineered round designed to expand in the velocity range the .380 develops.
I'm willing to argue that while the .380 isn't as an effective manstopper as a larger caliber it can still effectively do the job provided you understand the circumstances and conditions that you might have to use it in.
I only carry it on the hottest days when I wear the lightest clothing and when I can expect a potential perpetrator to not be wearing heavy clothing.