The Most Powerful .380acp Ammo You Can Buy - Ballistic Gel Test

This video provides a practical, experimental guide to understanding how winter clothing can impede self-defense ammunition performance. The host, demonstrating high authority in tactical gear and ammunition testing, uses ballistic gel to show that common JHP rounds in .380 ACP and 9mm Luger often fail to expand when fired through heavy clothing, leading to over-penetration. The 10mm Auto is highlighted as a caliber that can maintain expansion under these conditions.

This guide details a ballistic gel test procedure for comparing .380 ACP self-defense ammunition, specifically Federal Premium HST and Punch. It covers test setup, firing protocols through a clothing barrier, data collection using a chronograph, and analysis of recovered projectile performance including expansion, penetration, and mass retention. The expert-level instruction emphasizes scientific methodology for evaluating ammunition effectiveness.

This video from Yee Yee Life demonstrates a ballistic test on steel toe boots, firing various calibers from .22LR up to .50 BMG. The expert instructor shows how lower calibers are stopped by the boots, while higher calibers like .50 AE and .50 BMG penetrate. The test highlights the limitations of steel toe boots against powerful firearm rounds.

This video from Yee Yee Life tests the ballistic resistance of a real bank door against various calibers, from .22LR up to .50 BMG. The test, conducted by an experienced individual demonstrating safe firearm handling, shows the door's effectiveness against most handgun rounds and even some rifle calibers, though it is ultimately penetrated by a .50 BMG round. The experiment uses a mannequin named Fred as a target to visualize the effects of penetration.

This guide details a practical ballistic gel test comparing .380 ACP and .38 Special calibers for pocket carry, using representative firearms and ammunition. The expert-led comparison focuses on terminal performance through a heavy clothing barrier, providing objective data on penetration and expansion relevant to self-defense scenarios. The analysis adheres to established testing methodologies, including chronograph readings and comparison against FBI standards.

This video features hickok45, a recognized firearms authority, conducting an experimental test to determine the ballistic resistance of a standard metal filing cabinet against common handgun and rifle calibers. The experiment involves firing .380 ACP, 9mm, 5.56 NATO, and 7.62x39mm rounds into the cabinet and assessing penetration through the cabinet and its contents. The results indicate that while a filing cabinet offers some minimal protection against handgun rounds, it is largely ineffective against rifle calibers, concluding it is better than nothing but not reliable cover.

This video from Buckeye Ballistics provides a practical, albeit unconventional, comparison of five common pistol calibers (.22LR, .380 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP) by shooting watermelons. The expert demonstrates varying levels of terminal performance, from the .22LR's significant splitting to the .45 ACP's complete watermelon fragmentation, highlighting the differences in hydraulic shock and expansion. The test utilizes specific hollow-point ammunition, including Speer Gold Dot, Aguila Super Maximum, and Underwood XTP, showcasing their effects.

This video provides a practical, safety-conscious comparison of common pistol calibers (.22LR, .380 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP) against concrete blocks. The host, demonstrating high authority and expertise, details the testing methodology and results, emphasizing the risks of ricochet. None of the tested pistol calibers fully penetrated the concrete block's second wall, suggesting their limitations for certain penetration scenarios.

This review of the Taurus TX22 .22 LR pistol details its features, including a 16+1 capacity and excellent trigger. While initial testing with CCI Mini-Mags was flawless, subsequent tests with various ammunition types revealed cycling issues and culminated in a catastrophic failure. The failure was attributed to a squib load followed by a second shot, causing a barrel bulge and ruptured casing, highlighting potential ammunition inconsistencies. The review provides a detailed look at disassembly and damage assessment.

This video from Buckeye Ballistics provides an experimental comparison of three popular rimfire calibers: .22LR, .22WMR, and .17HMR, using cantaloupes as ballistic mediums. The host, an experienced shooter, demonstrates the distinct terminal ballistics of each round, highlighting how bullet construction and velocity affect target interaction. The comparison offers practical insights into the performance differences between these rimfire cartridges on soft tissue simulants.