Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Federal Ammunition Unveils New Deep-Penetrating .380 Hollow Point Ammo

https://www.military.com/daily-news...p-penetrating-380-hollow-point-ammo.html

At SHOT Show next week, Federal Ammunition will display its new expanding .380 auto ammunition, which the bullet maker pledges to be the first of its kind to consistently meet FBI protocol recommendations for penetrating at least 12 inches through bare ballistic gelatin as well as through heavy clothing.
"In response to the growing popularity of ultra-compact handguns by citizens of all ages, genders and demographics -- particularly among shooters looking for a downsized yet effective defender -- Federal Premium has expanded its award-winning Hydra-Shok Deep lineup with a new 99-grain .380 Auto load," according to a Jan. 14 news release from Federal.

In tests, bullets were shot through materials such as 10% ordnance gelatin, laminated automotive safety glass, plywood, wallboard and heavy clothing specified by the FBI," Federal Handgun Ammunition Product Manager Chris Laack said in the release.
"While our larger caliber ammunition is designed to meet and exceed these requirements, the smaller .380 Auto is designed to offer the best possible blend of performance in a compact handgun platform," Laack said.

Testing showed typical results of up to 13.5 inches of penetration in bare gel and up to 14 inches through heavy clothing, the release states. Test gun barrel lengths were from common, compact handguns ranging from 2.75 inches to 3.5 inches. The bullet and load are also fine-tuned to ensure delivery of consistent performance across all handgun platforms to stay within that 13-inch to 14-inch goal range, according to the release.

An image of Federal Ammunition’s new Hydra-Shok Deep .380 ammunition after it has expanded. (Courtesy of Federal Ammunition)
"These are achievements the industry has never seen before in the .380 Auto cartridge," the release states.
The new Hydra-Shok Deep .380 will be on display at Federal's booth at SHOT Show 2020, which runs Jan. 21-24 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. Federal plans to have the new ammunition ready to ship some time this spring. It's slated to retail for about $26 for a 20-round box.
-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.coxmilitary.com.

Rename this one to Extra Deep:

I remember a youtube video awhile back where a guy tested 25 brands of .380 ammo per the FBI criteria. I believe Performance One was top dog, the Fiocchi Extrema XTP came in second. The Fiocchi run about $17 for 25 bullets.

I have them in .380, 9mm, and .40 S&W. The nickel plated cases are sharp looking.

This isn’t the test but shows the Fiocchi Extrema.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2YKzpYm9hY

In that series of tests the conclusion was any load using an XTP was the load to rely on.

Super Vel, best there is.

https://supervelammunition.com

Now if only Federal would consider my requests to re-introduce .257 Roberts ammo. I've emailed them several times, but as Phil Collins sang, "no reply at all." I can't be the only potential customer out there.

easy to load up a bunch of the XTPs and they work on deer. We still carry the factory hornady flex tip rounds though and might up grade to this new stuff in a year or so.

Good enough for a mook’s face.

Nash Buckingham had a comment about using a 10 gauge when pass-shooting ducks- - - - - -"Don't send a boy to do a man's job!" 95 grains against 230- - - -the big guy wins every time!
Jerry

I didn’t realize they were still around.

Hmmm... Light for caliber and pushed faster with 100% weight retention. I have heard that song before.

I am skeptical of any round that does not undergo any barrier testing other than against clothing material. We all know that people and critters have cartilage and bone. While we know that a .380 will not meet the 4 other FBI barrier tests, I think that the manufacturers should run them anyway. The consumer then gets an apples to apples comparison. Leaving out the "bad" part of the testing creates a false sense of effectiveness. The .380 is one of those rounds where a person may believe there is more benefit from adequate penetration (but not overpenetration) than from expansion. Until we get barrier test results (or actual shooting results involving critters or people)), it is very hard to evaluate.

sadly I believe penetration is about all you can hope for in a 380, forget expansion

LOL!!!!!

Where did you ever hear that???

LMFAO!!!!

you just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. True then, true now

I've got this stuff,..100 grain copper plated HP,..fairly warm,..100 round bag for under $30.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...59128/legend+380+acp+jhp+100gr+100rd+bag

From Super Vel website:

(Cost is $19.95 for 20 while federal is $26.00 for 20)

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Utilizing a solid copper hollow point for reliable expansion and maximum stopping power, Super Vel's .380 ACP "Pocket Rocket" is the most potent self-defense load possible for what is essentially a low-pressure, low-velocity cartridge designed originally for blow-back pistols. John Browning invented the .380 ACP (9x17mm) in 1908 for his Model 1908 pistol. Our solid copper hollow point travels at 1,100 feet per second (from a Walther PP) but expands reliably for the best terminal performance. Packaged in a 20-count "classic yellow" Super Vel box, our "Pocket Rocket" is ideal for small .380s whether for pocket or purse.

Ballistics Data

Bullet: 80 gr. Solid Copper Hollow Point
Velocity: 1,100 fps
Muzzle Energy: 215 ft/lbs

https://supervelammunition.com/380-acp-pocket-rocket-80-gr-schp-20-count-box/

They were brought back from the dead, by Cameron Hopkins, who used to edit and write for The American Handgunner magazine, about five years ago, IIRC. I read something about it on FB, or someplace like that.

I used to know a guy who worked for Super Vel when they were in Shelbyville, IN, and owned by Lee Jurras.

probably the same person that asked: “hey man you ever thought about stabbing someone...in the neck” ??

lmao