.380 Federal HST Disappointing Test

[CPTKILLER]

I use Federal 9mm HST in my MK9 and EMP. I was curious about the Federal .380 HST since I use a CZ 83 as a backup pistol in .380.

Here is the Federal .380 HST Test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhByLwyvGpA

The results were largely unacceptable to me.

For now the Buffalo Bore .380 Hardcast +P remains my Go To ammo for now.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video...spart=iry&tt=b

I do realize the limitations with this ammo also. I am still looking for a good .380 Standard Pressure Defense round. Federal .380 HST is not it despite the ad in American Rifleman.

[kerby9mm]

Coincidentally I also have an emp9 & a kahr mk9. I read a while ago that fmj hardball had the best penetration as far as a 380. I don't have any 380's anymore.

[b4uqzme]

There's lots of discussion about .380 SD ammo. I tend to agree that HPs don't penetrate enough.

[happypuppy]

It looks like the Leigh round is probably the best bet for the 380.

[leftysixty]

Try Hornady Critical Defense, I have actually shot critters with the 9mm & .40 cal loads. They work quite well and I've been told that the .380 version also works well.

[RonW]

Recently the LAPD approved the S&W Bodyguard .380 as their official backup pistol. Their approved carry ammo is Hornady critical defense. I've shot Hornady CD and its fairly accurate, low muzzle flash. I like it however, Shooting the bull tested many different types of .380 & experienced very good results in most if not alll loads that feature the Hornady XTP bullet. Precision one was the best in both clear gel & denim. Hornady's critical defense in his testing, he called it, "Critical dud". Federal's hydra shoks in .380 tested very well and that is what I carry in my Bodyguard.

On a side note I see no purpose in using .380 +p, (if they even truely exist) in a small carry pistol. +p's make no sence. For what reason would someone use +p's in a .380 other than to get a higher velocity so it can get better penetration and if that's is your objective then you're better off investing in a small sub compact 9mm such as a Kahr PM9 for example.

[Longitude Zero]

.380 = 9 mm short and weak.

[DavidR]

.380 = 9 mm short and weak.

380 = in my pocket
9mm = in my safe

[Shoop]

Freedom Munitions is still doing free shipping through today and sells a nice XTP load in .380acp that I carry. Runs great in my CW380. Not bad for 32 cents delivered, cheap enough to actually train and do reliability tests with.

[SlowBurn]

Recently the LAPD approved the S&W Bodyguard .380 as their official backup pistol. Their approved carry ammo is Hornady critical defense. I've shot Hornady CD and its fairly accurate, low muzzle flash. I like it however, Shooting the bull tested many different types of .380 & experienced very good results in most if not alll loads that feature the Hornady XTP bullet. Precision one was the best in both clear gel & denim. Hornady's critical defense in his testing, he called it, "Critical dud". Federal's hydra shoks in .380 tested very well and that is what I carry in my Bodyguard.

I suspect Shooting the Bull's test of Hornady CD was an outlier. According to many other testers including both Mouse Gun Addict and the recent comprehensive Lucky Gunner testing http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self...-tests/#380ACP Horndady CD had about the best overall results among the 380 defensive rounds tested.

As for Federal HST in 380, it didn't feed in my P380 and I gave the remainder of what I didn't use testing to a friend with a Glock 42.