Best .380 Ammo In 2024

Ever wonder about the best .380 ammo for your concealed carry? If you’re nodding, you’re in the right spot.

The .380 ACP, a classic designed by John M. Browning over a century ago, packs more punch than some give it credit for. Sure, it’s not a heavyweight contender like the 9mm, but in the world of compact, easy-to-conceal handguns, it’s a reliable choice.

Ideal for self-defense, the .380 ACP offers a balance of power and portability, making it a favorite among concealed carry aficionados.

Top of my list? Hornady Critical Defense 380ACP. These rounds excel in reliability and performance, two non-negotiables in self-defense scenarios. But remember, it’s not just about having the best ammo. How you use it matters.

I’ve spent ample time at the range and in training courses, understanding the nuances of various .380 rounds. From my experience, these picks stand out for their precision and dependability.

Each recommendation has its own set of unique features tailored for different self-defense situations. Whether it’s about minimizing recoil, maximizing impact, or ensuring flawless feed into your firearm, these rounds cover all bases.

Curious about the specifics? Keep reading as we dive deeper into what makes these .380 rounds a cut above the rest and why they deserve a slot in your ammo box.

Image	Product	Price
	Best Overall – Hornady Critical Defense 380ACP	Check Price
	Best for Training – Speer Lawman Training .380 ACP	Check Price
	Best Value – PMC Bronze .380 Auto FMJ	Check Price
	Best for Self-Defense – Sig Sauer Elite Performance V Crown	Check Price
	Best for Terminal Performance –Remington 380 ACP	Check Price

Best Overall – Hornady Critical Defense 380ACP

This is one of the most reliable bullets for small firearms. It shoots with a muzzle velocity of up to 910 feet per second at 50 yards, which says a lot. The bullets also feature a unique and patented FTX design.

FTX bullet technology improves penetration through thick layers of clothes. All while still having the bullet functioning as a jacketed hollow point. This means that while you gain velocity and penetration power, you don’t miss the rapid expansion.

It’s unlike most traditional bullets you come across. The stopping power, whether against human attackers or large game animals, is dependable.

Apart from the overall design, what’s characteristic of the Critical Defense 380ACP is its silver-nickel casing plating. It minimizes corrosion and improves feeding. At the same time, these bullets are much smoother and therefore cut like a hot knife through butter. Thus, the superior high-velocity rating.

Best for Training – Speer Lawman Training .380 ACP

This is one of the best .380 rounds for training and self-defense purposes. The bullet weight of 95 grains gives it good velocity and power. The muzzle velocity rated 950 fps is among the highest in this ammo category. Note that this drops to 920 fps, and further down, after 25 yards.

The bullet design is a TMJ or total metal jacket. It’s quite different from an FMJ, as its base style is different. These rounds provide a sense of consistency when shooting from a small caliber handgun.

Its defining characteristic is the brass-covered base. This creates a total plated jacket, which covers the whole core.

The fully covered base provides an extra boost to accuracy. That’s why I also prefer this for training and match shooting.

I find the packaging advantageous too. Each box comes with 50 bullets – quite a bargain, considering the quality of the rounds.

Testing the Speer Lawman .380 ACP bullets shows the best results in barrels up to 3.75”. This is enough to make the rounds compatible with a large selection of small-caliber concealed firearms.

Despite their primary purpose, training, I find the Speer Lawman bullets quite proficient for self-defense too. Even though the rate of expansion is not too impressive, the bullet’s velocity and penetration are on point.

Best Value – PMC Bronze .380 Auto FMJ

Similarly priced per round, the PMC Bronze .380 is another one of my favorites. These rounds come in brass casings and in a full metal jacket style. This bullet design offers superior penetration, especially when combined with good muzzle velocity.

Speaking of which, the velocity of these rounds is 961 feet per second at around 25 yards. The bullet weight is 90 grains and the weight retention is top-notch too. Although these are fast, heavy rounds, the rate of expansion is close to nothing.

This means that the rounds are likely to cause smaller entry and exit wounds. That said, they can still shatter or ricochet once they hit bone.

The ammo also has a very good reputation for not malfunctioning. No one wants to fire duds. PMC also does a good job of making sure the .380 FMJ rounds are compatible with a variety of popular handguns.

I personally recommend these bullets for a Bersa BP380. But, I also consider them perhaps the best 380 ammo for Ruger LCP handguns.

Best for Terminal Performance – Remington 380 ACP

The Remington 380 ACP comes in at a lower grain of 88gr. Compared to other alternatives, it’s lighter but not necessarily less powerful. Its superior muzzle velocity of 990 feet per second is complemented by the muzzle energy of 191 ft/lbs.

Make no mistake, these rounds have stopping power. It’s suitable for both protection and performance applications. I also like that the bullet type is a hollow point. As previously mentioned, this allows the jacket to expand.

As a result of the expansion, the entry wound widens. Furthermore, it prevents over-penetrating which can also benefit in home defense or on-the-street defense situations. The casing material is standard brass.

Although you get 50 rounds in each box, the price per bullet is slightly higher. At least when compared to other popular 380 ACP choices.

That said, the quality and track record of Remington ammunition is reflected in the pricing. In the end, what you may appreciate the most is the instant knockdown power. That’s due to the rapid jacket expansion that causes severe damage upon impact.

Best for Self-Defense – Sig Sauer Elite Performance V Crown

Sig Sauer makes some of the best ammunition there is. And the Elite Performance V Crown is no exception. These 380ACP bullets come in a jacketed hollow point style that favors rapid expansion and the widening of entry wounds.

If you want to cause significant damage with your concealed pistol, this is the ammo to do it with. These rounds have superior weight retention and consistent penetration. The V-shaped top cavity offers a uniform and controlled expansion rate.

Another cool feature is the nickel casing. It has good corrosion resistance and facilitates reliable bullet feeding and extraction. In other words, it minimizes the risk of a misfire.

With the muzzle velocity rated at 980 fps and the muzzle energy at 192 ft/lbs., the stopping power is unquestioned. But, in all honesty, these bullets don’t come cheap. As great as they are for .380 pistols, they are also pricier than other alternatives.

A variety of factors determine the effectiveness and stopping power of .380 caliber bullets.

To discover the ideal .380 ammo for your handgun, experiment with different loads to see what performs best, as not all ammunition behaves the same in every gun. This practical approach not only enhances your shooting experience but also leads you to the most reliable and effective ammo for your firearm.

I find that certain combinations are best for certain purposes. That’s despite some .380 ammo selections having better overall performance than others.

Penetration

The projectile’s ability to travel through its target is one of the first things to look at. Not all .380 bullets penetrate as deep. Some may even break too soon after impact.

Of course, .380 ammo can have sufficient stopping power. But penetration also has to do with how much damage you want to inflict.

Generally speaking, a projectile that can travel at least 12” through ballistic gel is acceptable.

Expansion

The secondary element to any .380 round is its expansion. This determines how much the projectile expands after impact. More expansion translates into more significant damage.

Still, it’s not as important as penetration.

Type of Projectile

When researching the best .380 ammo for self-defense, understand that there are different types of projectiles. The type or design of the projectile can have a purpose. Yet it can also be a simple gimmick for aesthetic purposes.

For example, FMJ (full metal jacket) rounds don’t expand, despite having a penetration rating that’s off the scale. A stable balance between penetration and expansion can be found in classic-bonded and jacketed hollow point rounds (JHP).

The former type of rounds tends to favor fully automatic firearms. The latter, JHP, comes with weakening scores on the jacket. This allows for easier expansion after impact and prevents over-penetration.

It also creates a wider wound channel, which should compensate for the overall lack of velocity and stopping power.

Round Weight Retention and Barrel Length

These two factors affect the velocity and the ability to do damage. Weight retention is the ammo’s capability to retain weight after impact. And also, after it expands.

At the same time, weight affects travel speed. Also, consider the barrel length when choosing .380 ammo. Most of my experienced friends use .380 ammo with pocket pistols. These tend to have barrels of just under 3”.

Why is it important?

Because it should give you an idea of how to choose your grain. A 90-grain round is a good fit for pocket pistols. It has sufficient weight retention and enough penetration to hit critical areas.

But, a 77-grain or 50-grain round may not be as good. The velocity is impressive, but the ability to penetrate isn’t.

Defensive ammo has two main goals – defense against people and against animals. The same round won’t necessarily be best-suited for both. However, this type of round has a design that allows you to put an end to a threat.

Some gun owners consider the .380 round to be less lethal than other options. It’s obviously intended for small, concealed firearms. But it’s far from not deadly.

In fact, one of the biggest advantages of .380 rounds is their reliability. I also find it easy to manage the cartridges. And, it’s also easy to pair this type of round with accurate and powerful handguns.

Although it may lack in overall performance compared to a 9mm Luger, it’s still more than enough in most situations.

Avoid Over-Penetration

Another reason why I recommend using the best .380 ammo for personal defense is this. You can avoid over-penetrating your target. One of the biggest issues with discharging your weapon in training or real-life self-defense situations is hitting unintended targets.

The FBI recommends going with bullets that can’t penetrate more than 18”. And .380 rounds almost always adhere to this requirement. Although this may indicate a lack of power, if you shoot with accuracy, you can still stop a threat.

But with a .380, you can also do it a bit safer.

Don’t Sleep on the Recoil Either

I once shared this common misconception. Small guns and small rounds result in little recoil. In reality, things are different. Most beginner shooters understand quickly that a small pistol can still have plenty of kickback.

Why? It has to do with the gun design.

Tiny guns have less mass. This means that there’s not a lot to absorb the recoil. Of course, in some situations, a more massive frame can limit the recoil. And it’s true that it’s easier to get comfortable with .380 handguns instead of any of the larger caliber alternatives.

Navigating the vast landscape of .380 ACP ammunition can be daunting, especially with the plethora of options available.

While researching and testing, I considered various brands and products, including some popular contenders like Winchester and Remington. However, some missed the mark due to inconsistent performance or reliability issues, crucial factors for self-defense ammunition.

The Hornady Critical Defense 380ACP, however, stands out. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill hollow-point round. It’s a game-changer, offering superb penetration and velocity coupled with significant expansion. What sets it apart is its consistent performance, even through tough barriers like denim or leather. This reliability under various conditions is why it tops my list.

Let’s be real: the .380 ACP isn’t the be-all-end-all of self-defense cartridges.

In an ideal world, we’d have something with the power of a .357 Mag that’s as easy to carry as a .380. But we deal with the reality of concealability and comfort.

That’s where the .380 ACP shines, especially with loads like the Hornady Critical Defense.

Practically speaking, the value of this ammo is in its balance of power, reliability, and concealability. It’s a formidable option for those needing a discreet yet effective self-defense tool.

In conclusion, while the .380 ACP may not be the ultimate self-defense cartridge, it holds its own in the real world, where convenience and concealability matter.

With advancements in ammunition technology, particularly exemplified by the Hornady Critical Defense, the .380 ACP remains a solid, dependable choice for personal protection.