.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.

[muggsy]

I don't place much stock in ballistic gel tests. I believe in autopsy reports. When hollow points plug they behave much like ball ammunition. Ball ammunition has been responsible for more autopsy reports than all of the hollow point ammunition combined, but then again it's been in use since 1908. Over penetration beats under penetration every time it's tried.

[Barth]

I've read that Hornady Critical Defense is the approved LAPD .380 round as well.
Don't personally own a .380.
Would likely go for FMJs in that caliber.
S&W 342 ti (11.1 oz) Centennial is my pocket pistol.
It's 13.5 oz loaded with five 135 gr 38 Special +P Speer GDHP Short Barrel.
The Speer GDHP SB round performs remarkably well in FBI Protocol testing.

[Don F]

I currently run CCI Lawman 90g HP ammunition in my .380s. It is the old version of Speer Gold Dot 90g HP. I've anchored a lot of raccoons and possums with the Lawman ammunition and put down one deer that was hit by a car.

I've never tested the ammunition in 10% gelatin, but everything I've shot to date stopped moving right away.

[berettabone]

I had a few issues with the HST in my MK...............I haven't figured out whether it was me or the ammo. Had a few really bad FTF's/jams. I've been carrying Critical Defense all summer and into the fall. I do know that the Critical Defense round is shorter than the HST. Because I feel that the HST length may be causing some issues, I'll stick with the Hornady for now. As far as ammo goes, I would have no problem carrying HST in any other firearm.

[Barth]