Top 5 380 ACP Self Defense Ammo

The 380 ACP is one of the most common concealed carry calibers and there are countless ammo options available here at MidwayUSA. Follow along for our top 5 380 ACP ammo choices and some factors to look for when making your next ammo purchase.

Characteristics

Most 380 ACP loads feature bullets between 80 and 100 grains and a velocity between 900 to 1000 fps. The 380 ACP will deliver a muzzle energy of around 200 foot pounds. This is not quite as powerful as cartridges like 9mm or 45ACP, but still carries plenty of power for self-defense. The smaller frames of 380 handguns also makes them a great choice for concealed carry.

Recoil

One of the biggest advantages to 380 ACP ammo is the low recoil. The recoil is very minimal and is great for small framed shooters or beginners. Because of the low recoil, the 380 can be much more accurate for quick follow-up shots compared to bigger calibers.

Bullet Styles

Jacketed Hollow Point

Jacketed hollow point bullets are the most commonly used for concealed carry with the 380. They offer impressive expansion and some models have serrations that create an even more destructive wound channel. Options like the Sig Sauer Elite Performance and Federal Personal Defense Punch are great jacketed hollow-point options.

Other Styles

While Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo is the most popular by far, more and more shooters are utilizing other styles, such as polymer-tipped bullets and fluted bullets. Polymer-tipped bullets offer great controlled expansion, while fluted bullets offer impressive wound channels at lower weights and higher speeds.

Hornady Critical Defense 380 ACP Ammo 90 Grain Hornady FTX Polymer Tip Box of 25

Hornady Critical Defense 380 ACP Ammunition was purpose built for concealed carry guns and designed to deliver reliable and controlled expansion regardless of target every time. Critical Defense Ammunition is loaded with Hornady's bullet which has a soft polymer insert that delivers superior controlled expansion and large, deep wound cavities over a wide range of velocities. Each round is loaded into a nickel case for increased visibility in low-light situations and premium low flash propellants that deliver proven performance, even in very short-barreled handguns that will not disrupt your vision. This ammunition was designed by Hornady to expand every single time. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

Features

Unaffected by thick and heavy clothing, including denim and leather
Bullet delivers superior controlled expansion and large, deep wound cavities over a wide range of velocities
Clean burning and efficient propellants reduce recoil in lightweight handguns, and perform consistently at all temperatures
Minimal muzzle flash protect night vision
Feeds reliably in pistols
Bullets are custom designed for individual loads
Effective, consistent, reliable self-defense ammunition

Notice From Hornady: Temporary suspension of nickel plated cartridge cases for Critical Defense® Handgun Ammunition 5/25/21

Unfortunately, everyone is faced with production bottlenecks and supply chains are stressed. In particular, the freight system is delayed longer than normal. Our current turnaround time on nickel plating cartridge cases is 4+ weeks. This delay has created a significant bottleneck in the production of ammunition.

Due to these issues, we will suspend nickel plating on all Critical Defense handgun ammunition to help reduce production time. We will resume nickel plating when things return to normal.

What Customers Are Saying

Excellent ammunition! ...

Excellent ammunition! This fired without any failures or jams from my somewhat finicky Walther PPK/S. It was also very accurate - 7 shots into one large hole at 7 yards - repeatable. It is very clean burning with low muzzle flash. This is by far my new favorite 380 round.

- Caden, 2/25/2010

About Hornady

“Ten bullets through one hole” is the philosophy that brought Hornady® Manufacturing from a two-man operation in 1949, to a world-leading innovator of bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture today. Change is their constant and daily challenge. They outperform their competitors by ensuring the products they make are the ones their customers need right now, and accurately predict what they’ll want in the future. They recognize trends, and respect when to leave well enough alone. Their workforce includes an ample number of hunters and competitive shooters, as well as veterans and former law enforcement officers. At Hornady® Manufacturing, ammunition is more than their livelihood. It’s a major part of their daily life.

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Federal Personal Defense Punch 380 ACP Ammo 85 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point

Federal Premium Personal Defense Punch Ammunition draws from decades of experience designing the world’s finest defensive handgun loads. The bullet’s skived jacket and soft lead core produce the best expansion and penetration for the price, while its brass and sealed primer deliver the reliable feeding and ignition you need to protect yourself. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

Features

Jacketed hollow-point bullet design provides a balanced mix of effective penetration and expansion
Out-performs comparably priced competitor rounds
Brass case with primer seal

What Customers Are Saying

My carry load for the 380 acp

Bought this directly from Federal. Because only one gel test review existed online I made my own and shot it. (Knox gelatine). Consistent penetration to 13, 14, and14.5 inches through 4 layers of denim and gel. One test included a fresh antelope scapula in front of the gel: 13 inches. Every bullet has expanded, every one has penetrated at least 13 inches.

- Eric the potgut hunter, 8/13/2021

About Federal Premium

Federal Cartridge Company, as we know it today, started in 1922 when Charles Horn purchased Federal Cartridge and Machine out of receivership. Federal’s first products were shotshells, followed by rimfire in 1924. In 1976, Federal Premium was launched, combining boutique bullets with premium propellants and nickel-plated brass to create the “best of the best” in centerfire ammunition. Over a century later, MidwayUSA offers a complete spectrum of Federal ammunition, ranging from shotshell offerings like: Top-Gun, High Over All, Game Loads, Gold Medal Grand, and Prairie Storm; and centerfire rifle ammunition such as Fusion, Power-Shok, Gold Medal Match, Meat Eater; to centerfire pistol ammunition: HST, Punch, and American Eagle. Federal continues to manufacture rimfire ammo in the form of AutoMatch, Champion, and Game-shok. Federal supports handloaders with standard: small pistol, small rifle, large pistol, large rifle, 209 shotshell primers, and the Gold Medal-series match primers.

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Sig Sauer Elite Performance 380 ACP Ammo 90 Grain Sig V-Crown Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 20

SIG V-Crown defensive rounds combine perfected material specifications and fine-tuned design innovations, including a stacked hollow point cavity, to deliver exceptional on-target energy with maximum weight retention and optimal expansion for ultimate stopping power. SIG V-Crown ammunition creates a consistent V-shaped main cavity on top of a deep narrow trail with superior weight retention, maximum expansion, optimal penetration depth time after time. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer-primed, reloadable nickel-plated cases.

Features

Designed to match Sig Full Metal Jacket ammunition
High Quality components
Reloadable nickel-plated brass cases

Note: Due to availability of components, this ammunition may or may not be shipped in nickel plated brass.

What Customers Are Saying

Very good ammo at a great price

Tested in wet-pack (soaked paper with a 5/8" sheet of southern pine plywood packed about 1" from the front of the block to simulate bone/cartilage), Sig V-Crown bullets expanded perfectly when fired out of my Ruger LCP, overall performance was comparable to several other premium choices but at a much lower price. The photo shows two of the expanded V-Crown bullets next to a Hornady Critical Defense 90gr, the Critical Defense expanded noticeably less and penetrated only an extra half inch (I placed the red tip on top of the Hornady bullet for the photo, it was not still attached when I dug it out of the wetpack). Sig V-Crown is outstanding ammo at a good price in every caliber I have tried so far (.380 ACP, 9mm +P 124gr, 357 Sig, 40 S&W 180gr, 45 ACP 230gr).

- Matt, 11/2/2018

About Sig Sauer

Born from the Swiss Wagon Factory company in 1853, the Sig Sauer brand we know today is one of the most recognized and trusted brands in the firearms and outdoor industry. In their world-class facilities, they build the toughest, most precise rifles, pistols, suppressors, optics, ammunition, and airguns, while offering the finest firearms training — all as a fully integrated system. They offer models such as the P365 Pistol, Tango Rifle Scope, MCX Rifle, and ROMEO-X Reflex Sight. They do this because they share the same drive to be the best, the same love of freedom, the same unwillingness to compromise — as those who choose their brand. SIG SAUER--NEVER SETTLE.

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Winchester USA 380 ACP Ammo 95 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 50

Winchester USA Ammunition produces outstanding quality and dependability at an affordable price. This 380 ACP load contains a 95 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point bullet designed with more weight in the base to increase accuracy without sacrificing the reliable expansion produced by the hollow point. The resulting ammunition is a great choice for Personal Defense. Count on the Classic White Box to deliver the performance and reliability you desire. This ammunition is new production, reloadable brass cases.

What Customers Are Saying

Perfect for PPK/S

the profile of the bullet ensures reliable feeding and function in my PPK/S.... a gun that is known for being finiky about it's ammo. I have put 2 boxes thru it, both slow and rapid fire, with not a single jam. This is now the only SD round I will run in the Walther.

- Diver JIm, 5/13/2016

About Winchester

Winchester is The American Legend, a brand built on integrity, hard work, and a deep focus on its loyal Customers. Considered one of the world’s leading ammunition and firearms manufacturers, Winchester has built its reputation on delivering innovative products, providing top-shelf Customer service, and demonstrating industry leadership. Along with ammunition and firearms, Winchester offers many gun parts and accessories as well as tools, apparel, safes and storage, air guns, and more. We offer a huge selection of Winchester products, including the Model 70 Rifle, Super-X Ammunition, SX4 Shotgun, and AA Target Ammo. From our research and development efforts to our manufacturing processes, we understand the value of product quality and performance. With a reputation steeped in tradition, we have earned the moniker ‘The American Legend’ by delivering on our commitment to excellence in everything we do.

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Hornady American Gunner 380 ACP Ammo 90 Grain Hornady XTP Jacketed Hollow Point

The American Gunner line of ammunition is a collection of tried-and-true, versatile loads that are popular with shooters for their target shooting, hunting or self-defense needs. Made with premium components, American Gunner ammunition combines generations of ballistics know-how with modern components and technology. Preliminary offerings feature legendary XTP (eXtreme Terminal Performance) bullets that have been favorites for decades. Designed for hunting, self-defense and law enforcement applications, the XTP bullet is exceptionally accurate, and is the choice of many top competitive shooters around the world.

Features

XTP (eXtreme Terminal Performance) bullets are exceptionally accurate and deliver excellent versatility and superior ballistic performance
Propellants are matched to each load to ensure optimal pressure, velocity, volume and consistency from lot to lot
High quality primers and Hornady cases combine to deliver consistent shooting in the field.

What Customers Are Saying

Qualified Terminal Performance

I recently purchased a Sig P238. It was my first 1911 style and my first 380 caliber. Being a new caliber to me, I watched all the youtube videos for the caliber... I think I've seen them all, from recommendations of using ball for EDC to the super expensive ammo with lots of tactical sounding names in their names. These affordable, XTP bullets are the only ones I found that had multiple tests showing them to meet minimum penetration and with adequate expansion. This style of bullet can be found in other offerings, but these are affordable and they perform. I've only bought a few boxes so far--some for testing and some for carry... and I've not had any malfunctions. Do some research on the internet and youtube... there are a lot of hollow points in this caliber available, but these have been shown to perform.

- TD, 7/16/2017

About Hornady

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