Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns .380 Inceptor 56 gr. bullets

Has anyone tried the ARX Inceptor 56 gr. polymer/metal bullets in the .380? I just ordered some from Midway.

ARX load data shows them at 1,200 fps out of a 3.75" barrel. Now, that's fast... And, I would think LOUD...

And with this new design, terminal performance doesn't depend on bullet expansion, the bullet shape is engineered to cause a wide wound cavity.

That could turn the little .380 into a tiger.

I have a S&W Walther .380 PPK that's very accurate.

I fitted rose wood grips, got Errol Case in MO to do his magic.

Sights are dead on at 10 yds or so with reloaded Hornady 90 gr. FTX. Not sure where the lighter 56 gr. ARX will group. Word is they're accurate.

DF

ttt

Ruger used to market that round and I think one in 9mm. I have only "heard" that the bullet doesn't do well on barrier penetration tests....

Have you checked to see if there are any test videos over on YouTube?

I'm carrying the Underwood Xtreme Defender ammo with the 65 grain Lehigh all copper bullet that is basically the same concept...

Bob

Evidently they are pretty friable. One Midway poster didn’t like them, said they broke feeding in his Glock.

I don’t know. Ordered some to try. Will check out your bullet.

DF

also look into Liberty Civil Defense

Will do, thanks.

DF

I think I have some of the Liberty in .32 for a KelTec....very interesting round.

I may look at 85-90gr FMJ-flat points with the little 380, just try to punch holes and break bones, iirc Buffalo Bore loads a little hard cast load for the 380, that might work too if the pistol would run it.

I have not tried them in 380, but have used them in 9mm and 45 Auto. FYI, the Inceptor Polycase and Ruger ARX lines are the same bullet. Polycase also sells the same bullet without flutes as a frangible; that's what we use on steel at the local indoor range.

My opinion, based on my own observations and testing of these, is that they just suck. The general concept seems similar to the Lehigh ED and EP bullets, but actual performance is very different. The Inceptor/ARX bullets don't penetrate well on any sort of hard barrier, and act pretty much identically to round nose FMJ in the various test media I tried. I didn't bother trying them in meat, since there's enough correlation with the test media to see they wouldn't do well.

You might consider the 65gr Defender bullet from Lehigh if you want to use something like this in a 380; I don't anything at 380 speed/power to be impressive but at least it will penetrate better than the Inceptor bullet. (Just for fun, I've tried that bullet in 9mm +P+ loads - 1,860 fps from a Glock 19!)
I think I'd do as gunner500 suggests though if I had to carry a 380 - a solid flat point might be your best bet.

Haven't decided on the .380 as a carry gun, just playing with it because it shoots so well with reloaded Hornady 90 gr. FTX.

I may have to get some Lehigh 65 gr to try. I was impressed with the ARX data, 1,200 fps from a small pistol has got to be a hoot to shoot.

Ear protectors of course. That's gotta be mega loud...

DF

DF,

A pal of mine carries the ARX in his LCP II all of the time. He picked up one of the 125 round combo packs from Cheaper Than Dirt. We ran a few of the 56 gr fluted rounds and a lot of the 60 gr round noses thru an LCP II, an LCP and a Kahr 380 without any function problems at all. Loud? Well, yeah. Accuracy? As best I recall they shot close to point of aim at 7 yards. I'm sure they'll be better in your PPK.

I started a thread on the Buffalo Bore hard cast on April 10 of this year. I also am preparing to start threads on some follow-up with that load and with Lehigh Xtreme Penetrators in .380.

I picked up this El Paso Saddlery pig skin lined flap holster for the PPK. Got it used. Not a concealed carry type holster, just different and I think it's pretty cool. Quality is excellent.

DF

For any of you guys who cast your own, the little Lee 95 RF bullet is a good choice for a hard cast flat nose. I use it in 9mm with very mild loads that are just a little above .380 power and it's a great little bullet for that application, and very accurate.

Can you give us that link?

DF

Here you go. https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...t-mixed-media-test-glock-42#Post13728758

Nice! I'll try to check check it out, modem/modum? is crapping out on this computer, I also saw the video threads, haven't watched the videos, but will guess the Buffalo Bore hardcast will out penetrate the Lehigh defense, i'll try to watch them and see.

Oh yeah! That was my guess from the water jug tests I ran a while back.

Gunner, I don’t see you packing a little bitty pistol.

1911 Commander .45 ACP prob as small as you’d go.

Am I close?

DF

I think he likes the Sig P365 a lot