Author Topic: Self defense rounds (Read 2856 times)

GH1 · « **on:** November 01, 2009, 11:13:14 PM »

Can anybody reccommend a S.D. round that will function well in my K-T .380?
GH1

Savage · « **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2009, 12:37:26 AM »

Guns are individuals. What works in mine may not work in yours. Having said that, I currently use the Winchester "Personal Defense" in mine. (Think that's the name) These function fine in both my P3ATs, and perform as well in wet pack as any I've tested. The PMC Starfire, and Corbon functioned and performed about the same. My pistols have not been particular about what they have been fed. Don't know if the "Power Ball" round is available in .380, but if so it should function in any pistol that feeds ball. In general, I don't think the two buck a round ammo performs any better than the fifty cent stuff.
Savage

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2009, 02:58:15 AM »

These days with .380 ammo it's more a matter of what you can find in stock really. It seems to be about the most difficult round to find in stock anywhere.

Savage · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2009, 10:08:11 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard on November 02, 2009, 02:58:15 AM

These days with .380 ammo it's more a matter of what you can find in stock really. It seems to be about the most difficult round to find in stock anywhere.

Ain't it the truth!!
I forget how difficult it is now days to find ammo for the .380. A couple years ago, I bought 100rds of hollow points and 500rds of the S&B JFP. That's likely a 10yr supply no more than I shoot my .380s.
Savage

95Road King · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2009, 01:20:29 PM »

I have about 40 rds. of Federal Hydra-Shock I bought years ago. Thats what I keep in my .380. Gun functions perfect with them. I use cheap fmj for practice. Don't shoot it that much anyway.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2009, 04:02:08 AM »

sporting guide sold me a 90 grn critical defence rnd that i like..it expands well which is the weakness of the little caliber.. ive tested it an it does expand well to mabe 40 cal.mabe even 45 ..
to get a rnd to expand its pretty thin in the expanding part of the front but they found a good balance,,
so it ll do the job if you do..
my one problem with all handguns is that i think ive got the ability to hit what i shoot at ,,then test it an realize without weekly practice im not really a great shot. slim

canon6 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2009, 09:23:00 AM »

slim rem 7, all shooting, but especially handgun shooting is a perishable skill.
With out regular , meaningful, practice the muscle memory can fade fast.
I hurt myself in '95 and was unable to shoot with my dominate hand for @5 months,
when I did get back it was learn it allover again.HTH Doug

Tonk · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2009, 05:18:50 AM »

Now for those who might be a bit curious, we purchased some of that Hornady "self-defense" ammo back during the summer months to run tests I had planned to do. To make a long story short, the Hornady ammo did NOT go BANG. I called Hornady and they told all about "limp wristing" a pistol etc.

I told them were had several types of "self-defense" ammo when the tests were being made and we used several new pistols such as Glock, Sig, Ruger, Kel-Tec and Kahr in those tests on .380-auto and 9mm ammo etc. I took some of the unfired rounds back to the gunstore and they stated, they would inform Hornady and that Hornady would get back to me. Now that never happened to date! So I will NOT purchase any ammo from Hornady.........especially the Self-Defense Ammo!!!
We had no problems with Cor-Bon, Pow-R-Ball, Federal or Remington ammo

GH1 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2009, 11:50:55 AM »

I just picked up a box of Golden Sabers, I'll give them a try when I go to the range thursday. I'll probably run some Hydra-Shocks through it as well. I'll give a full report on friday.
GH1

GH1 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:04:47 PM »

Yesterday I was able to shoot Golden Sabers & Hydra-Shoks through my K-T with no trouble, along with the FMJ target loads that were giving me a problem last week. I don't know if the jamming went away because of all the rounds I put through it, or because of the polish job I did on it. I really don't care either way, I'm just happy I can run some good SD rounds through it.
GH1

OSOK · « **Reply #10 on:** November 13, 2009, 09:52:28 AM »

I've never had any luck getting the Golden Sabre's to expand. Cor-Bon is my first choice, and the Magtech. The advantage of magtech is the price, but there is no question about Cor0Bon expanding.

Tonk · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2009, 05:17:28 AM »

GH-1, now is you can get your hands on some of that Pow-R-Ball self defense ammo it would be the Cat's Meow!!! I used it in a test and also have the wife's .40cal S&W loaded up with that ammo. They put a plastic insert in the hollow point that really aids in the feeding of the round and that is a big plus especially for those KEL-TEC'S that are troublesome sometimes causing a Jam.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 01, 2009, 07:39:12 AM »

the winchester flat nosed rnd is sure an makes a .380 hole.about the best you can expect from the .380..
my hornady critical defence +p works well in my keltec.... the design of that particular round is very tapered an feeds well.

Tonk · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2009, 03:48:08 AM »

Now hear this shooters!!!

We tried for the second time to shoot HORNADY SELF DEFENSE AMMO out of our pistols and this ammo did not fire 30% of what was in the box. I have had it with Hornady so called self defense ammo period. So don't waste your money and I would NOT bet my LIFE on their ammo ever period.

Savage · « **Reply #14 on:** December 03, 2009, 08:19:19 AM »

Tonk,
If you have had multiple misfires in more than one gun with this ammo, I'd bet Hornady would jump all over themselves to make it right. Never tried any of the Critical Defense stuff, but it seems to work for others I know who like it.
Savage

U S Male · « **Reply #15 on:** December 09, 2009, 08:06:22 AM »

I was able to get a box of the Double Tap 90 grn HP's a few weeks ago for my 6 month old Kel Tec 380 and they shoot with authority. They advertise that 90 grn bullet to go 1000 fps out of the KT 380 and I don't doubt it...when you shoot it, it really goes BANG! I feel comfortable with it in my pocket holster. It goes with me everywhere I go and most of the time I forget it's in my pocket because of its size....beats the heck out of a .22, .25 or .32......Dave

NOTE: I have tried a lot of different ammo since i've had the KT 380 and have yet to have a problem.

coues2506 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2010, 03:50:57 AM »

I don't think hollow points can be depended on to expand and pentrate to the vitals. Especially when you may have to shoot through a winter coat or leather jacketed purp. I reload a hard cast round nose. I want to be sure the bullet gets where it needs to go. Penetration is where it's at. That WW flat nose 95gr looks good too.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 14, 2010, 12:23:30 AM »

yep winter clothes is a real concern ,if you are using the keltec .380..
id rather have my 38+p gun an ammo then..
i did read some article somewhere about hornadys critical defence .380,being better suited
to penetrate winter clothing..i tested it through multiple layers of old clothing..
it seemed to hold up an penetrate pretty well..
one poster here had total failure to function,with it though.. so best try it for yourself
in your gun..slim
ps the best penetrating ammo ive found was the winchester flat nosed solid rnd..
but finding it is the problem.. it use to be on wal mart shelves all the time ,but ive not seen any for sale
in a long while..this means i can t afford to use it to practice .. not a good thing..
ive got mabe 200 rnds total stock..for a self defence gun thats not much..
if you can t get ammo for it ..it don t even make a good paper weight.. :)good luck..

rybo · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2010, 04:25:41 PM »

I just bought some hornady critical defense rounds and they functioned fine(everything does in my 3at) but they were THE most accurate round out of that little gun. AMAZED me.

jeep08ham · « **Reply #19 on:** September 28, 2010, 06:55:48 PM »

I personally have used almost every type of self defense ammo available. I find the one that that stands head and shoulders above all else is the Hornady Critical Defense ammo. Best groups and always reliable. For those that say it does not go bang, you best check your firearm as it could be what is wrong. Have shot almost 2,000 rounds of CDA from Hornady and not one jam or failure to fire. Trust it with my life and so does our PD.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 29, 2010, 03:59:43 AM »

well after some penetration test.. my final decision was that the winchester 95 grn. flat nose
is what i want in my p3at..thats the one that i know i get the best penetration out of..
there is harder hitting rnds probably..but im a little wary of putting the higher pressure protection rnds in this gun..that winchester 95 grn flat nosed is gonna make a deep hole.380 in size..i wore one out ,trying to get as good as i could with it..keltec sent me a new one with my old numbers stamped on it..its never
blinked yet .. it likes that rnd ,so i do too.. good luck.

Reed1911 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 20, 2010, 01:41:25 PM »

On Hornady rounds not firing, I'd check the chamber and the mouth of the ammo. It almost sounds like the chamber may be allowing the case to move forward, Hdy tends to load like we do with a solid crimp and some autos are finicky about chambering them.