what .380 do you recommend for self defense?

My daughter has a Sig p238 ( fires the .380 round ) and was wondering what is a good round for self defense. We live in Florida and people are usually wearing just a t-shirt so I think a good JHP round is sufficient.

I would say pick a round. any round you like as long as it's core bonded and a jacketed hollowpoint.

The problem around here is finding ANY .380's.

Do you have a 380 Volz? Let me know and i will include some in your package...

I would choose a FMJ since penetration is an issue with a light round like a .380

With a .380 as with any other caliber, I would worry more about shot placement than which round. Pick some ammo that is inexpensive so that you can afford to practice more.

Personally, I like the CorBon DPX. It is a very reliable with expansion.Here is a link to a nice site regarding different rounds for the 380.http://goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/380acp/gel380acp.htm Shot placement is the most important factor. Both my wife and I carry the 380 and both use the Corbon for carry. Use the less expensive round for practice. Be sure to make sure the round you decide to carry works first time every time in your pistol. I do not use FMJ's for carry.

2HOW wrote:I would choose a FMJ since penetration is an issue with a light round like a .380

I agree.

James wrote:Do you have a 380 Volz? Let me know and i will include some in your package...

No .380 only 40 S&W and .38/.357 S&W revolver. That's why I threw those .380 cases in there. I have no use for them.

Just my opinion here but...

1. Pick the most reliable round in that pistol (regardless of bullet configuration). If the pistol doesn't go BOOM every time you pull the trigger it's worthless and you’re dead.

2. Select a load with some history to it. Don't get the "latest and greatest" because some lab rat says so...Federal 90 gr. Hydra-shoks are but one good example of an effective, time tested round in .380 ACP.

3. Super hot rounds are not, necessarily, the best performers, buyer beware.

4. No handgun round, regardless of caliber, is a true "stopper". If that is what you are searching for stop now and save the time for the range.

5. Accuracy and shot placement are important yet relative; nonetheless, we are not talking about long distance shooting here. We are talking close combat at room distance (at best) and contact distance (at worst).

6. Don’t underestimate FMJ’s just because they don’t expand. I carry ball in my 9X18 and that’s a might hotter than a .380. Ball ammo has several attributes in its favor, especially in small caliber rounds.
_{a. It is normally the most reliable ammunition type.
b. It penetrates well (a consideration with smaller caliber rounds).
c. Being a non-expanding bullet, you needn’t worry about fragmentation which is undesirable in a combat situation.
d. You can practice with the same ammo that you proofed your pistol with and which you carry on a daily basis. You’ll know exactly what to expect from the load.}

I have a copy of “Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness” put out by the DOJ that explains a lot. If you’re interested, Email me and I’ll send you a copy.

Bottom line is the choice is yours and you have to feel comfortable with and have faith in the round you select…it’s your life on the line.

well now! you fellas have opened up a can of worms! :)

truth be told I also us ball ammo in all of my small caliber pistols.
I don't care about core bonding, don't want hollow points because a 3 inch hole that's only 3 inches deep isn't any good to me.

if it's below the holy number of 4 (I.E .40) then it gets a ball round.
Many times, on other forums, I've been told that I don't know what I'm talking about by folks who've never used them in combat, to save their lives, yet their willing to tout some lab rat with a pistol and a block of ballistic gelatin.

In my .45 it depends on what I'm carrying and where....I have several magazines. some are staggered with ball/HP some are straight HP and some are straight ball.
I always carry at least ONE magazine of ball ammo though.

Still, if this man is of the opinion that HP is the way to go in small pistols, heck, I'll be happy to tell him the best kind.

but if you REALLY want to know...check out this website:



the box o truth

It'll set ya straight

Pretty much what we know Tower. I guess you said it. There may be some better rounds like Buffalo Bore , but in a .380 I want a ball, of any kind.

Here’s my personal list of bullet types per caliber (for what it’s worth):

=> .22 LR thru .32 ACP – FMJ or “ball” ammo.
=> .380 ACP and 9x18mm Makarov – FMJ or “ball” ammo or Hornady XTP or Federal Hydro-Shock Jacketed Hollow Point.
=> 9x19mm Parabellum or 9x23mm Largo – any quality 124 to 147 grain JHP (FMJ can penetrate excessively in these calibers)
=> .38 S&W Special/.357 S&W Magnum – 158 grain lead semi-waddcutter hollow point (+P in .38 and a mid-range handload in .357)
=> .40 S&W and 10mm Auto – 155 to 165 grain JHP (180 grain bullets and/or FMJs can penetrate excessively in these calibers)
=> .45 ACP – 230 grain FMJ or lead “ball” ammo or a quality 200 to 230 grain JHP in a +P load

Here’s a few articles by Steve Camp with relevant .380 ballistic information.

.38 Special or .380 ACP?

Bersa Thunder .380 with Corbon 80-gr. DPX Ammunition

Comparing the SIG-Sauer P230 & Bersa Thunder

Thanks for all the info here as my wife just got a Bersa .380 sunday.
We went to the range and tried it out and she really likes it.