The BEST .380 ACP AMMO?

Published on October 28, 2022
Duration: 12:07

This review tests three .380 ACP ammunition types in a Ruger LCP Max with a heavy clothing barrier over ballistic gel. The Winchester 95gr FMJ, Underwood 90gr Xtreme Penetrator, and Federal 99gr Hydra-Shok Deep were evaluated for penetration and expansion. Despite being FMJ, the Winchester proved to be the most effective due to superior penetration, outperforming premium defensive rounds that failed to expand.

Quick Summary

The Winchester 95gr FMJ is recommended as the best .380 ACP ammo for self-defense, achieving 19 inches of penetration through a heavy clothing barrier and ballistic gel. Premium hollow-point rounds like the Federal Hydra-Shok Deep failed to expand under the same conditions.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Top 3 .380 ACP Ammo Picks
  2. 00:47Federal Premium Hydra-Shok Deep Review
  3. 01:04Underwood Xtreme Penetrator Review
  4. 01:27Winchester 95 Grain FMJ Review
  5. 01:55Test Setup: Ruger LCP Max & Barrier
  6. 02:24Velocity Testing Results
  7. 04:13Ballistic Gel Live Fire Test
  8. 06:08Gel Analysis: Penetration Depths
  9. 08:38Recovered Projectile Examination
  10. 10:09Final Conclusion: Best .380 ACP Ammo

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top 3 .380 ACP ammunition choices tested in this video?

The top three .380 ACP ammunition choices are Federal Premium Hydra-Shok Deep (99gr), Underwood Xtreme Penetrator (90gr), and Winchester Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) (95gr). These were selected based on previous testing and performance in a Ruger LCP Max.

How did the tested .380 ACP rounds perform in ballistic gel with a clothing barrier?

The Winchester 95gr FMJ penetrated 19 inches. The Underwood 90gr Xtreme Penetrator reached 20.5 inches. The Federal 99gr Hydra-Shok Deep penetrated 17.5 inches but failed to expand due to clogging.

Which .380 ACP ammunition is recommended as the best overall for self-defense?

The Winchester 95gr FMJ is recommended as the best overall choice for .380 ACP self-defense due to its cost-effectiveness and superior penetration through a heavy clothing barrier, outperforming premium defensive rounds that failed to expand.

What were the average velocities of the tested .380 ACP rounds from a Ruger LCP Max?

The Winchester 95gr FMJ averaged 824 fps, the Underwood 90gr Xtreme Penetrator averaged 1002 fps, and the Federal 99gr Hydra-Shok Deep averaged 847 fps when fired from the Ruger LCP Max with a 2.78-inch barrel.

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