[Guest]

Hi, all.

Anybody know of a high quality .380 FMJ with a +P loading? Or something similar? Looking for defense, so reloading isn't really an option. I like the idea of Pow'R Ball, but I want more than 70grns in such an already weak caliber. Any sugestions? ~Pistolero

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Imported from Spain, the Santa Barbara 95-gr. FMJ appears to be a jacketed flat point with lead exposed, but it does not expand.

From a Bersa Thunder, it averages 1029 ft/sec

From a SIG-Sauer P230: 1079 ft/sec

From a Walther PP: 1161 ft/sec

It is not marked +P, but it obviously is on the warm side for 380 ACP.

Best.

 

[Guest]

Yes, and you might want to go to a higher than OEM factory strength recoil spring in your little auto if you're going to shoot much of such stuff.

 

[erich]

RE: Santa Barbara - I want to try it in my P232 (the 230-series was designed for the 9mm Ultra/Police, so it can probably handle it as well as any other gun), but I can't find any for sale. I haven't checked online for a couple of weeks, though - thanks for the reminder!

 

[Guest]

Excellent. Thanks, everybody. I'm kinda new to this .380 thing. .45 shooter mostly.

 

[oldgranpa]

As Stephen points out, if you can find some SantaBarbra, it's pretty hot. I'd avoid it, however, since we found that rounds in the magazine will "setback" a little bit under recoil, raising the chamber pressure. As Stephen points out, the velocity is pretty high already. And as noted, it does not expand even though bare lead is exposed at the point.

Another "hot" 380 round is CorBon's 90gr. JHP (not the DPX). It gets pretty good results from a longer barrel pistol like the Sig P230 and 232. But in shorter barrels, like the KelTec P3AT, NAA Guardian, or SeeCamp, the round does not expand, meaning FMJ would be just as good.

In early tests, PowrBall did poorly in shorter barrel 380 pistols. And was not too good in my P232 tests either.

You can see some of the results here at the following link.....

http://www.handgunsandammo.proboards36.com/index.cgi?board=terminal&action=display&thread=1142649407

Cheers,
og

BTW, there is no official +p rating for .380 by SAAMI specs.