Velocity/Energy vs. Penetration

[SureShot]

Hay guys, just got a new Ruger LCP (BUG GUN) and started looking for a SD carry round. So far I like what I’m reading about Cor-Bon and Extreme Shock. Then I started thinking which is more important high velocity – high energy or a lower energy but a deeper penetration. So I decided to ask all of you on here, and get all of your thoughts on this, and maybe some recommendation. I’m hoping you can give me ideals I haven’t thought of.
Thanks, Stay Sate
Paul
Proud NRA, TSRA and GRRN member

[m25operator]

Corbon is always a best bet, and Buffalo Bore for very hard hitting, HOT ammo, the .380 has come a long way. the Buffalo Bore, may sting a bit. The new extreme defense from Hornaday should be strong as well.

[tombogan03884]

I'm no ballistics expert, but it seems to me that as long as the round will punch through bone to strike vital organs there is no need for "Deep penetration".
In my opinion there is a big difference between a hunting round, which will be used in the more secluded areas game animals are found in where you want deep penetration to drop the animal as quickly and humanely as possible, and a SD round that is most likely to be used in a far more heavily populated area where A) your objective is more focused on stopping the attack rather than necessarily "killing" the attacker , and B) you will be responsible for the entire path of every round you fire. in this case the through and through wound that leads to a Trophy buck being DRT, can land you in prison if it goes through the guy trying to rob you and injures some one across the street.

[MikeBjerum]

My opinion -

Find a "self defense" round that is readily available in your area.  You want to know that the ammunition you are using will go bang and operate in your gun every time.  You need to shoot it a lot to know that it works, and you do not want to worry about how the new ammunition is going to work in your gun.

I used to use Remmingtion jhp, because that was all I could count on getting every time I needed it.  Next I went to Federal hydra-shock.  I have mostly switched to Hornady critical defense and tap.  I have found no difference between the two Hornady choices, but I like the polymer tip in the critical defense.  I'm not sucked in by the polymer helping in any given way - I like that bright orange tip when I am checking magazines and cylinders.  However, each change came after the ammunition was well stocked in my area.  At this time I would not switch back to Remmington, because it is not well stocked around here any more.

As far as penetration and energy - All fights are going to occur at close range.  Even a .380 will fight its way through clothing and tissue at twenty to thirty feet.  Regardless of the speed of the bullet and the mass in the bullet, you want to make sure that bullet expands and makes as big a hole as possible.  The bigger the hole - the more tissue damage and bleeding.  

If you are worried about "knock down" power - You have the wrong gun in a .380 or 9 mm or .38.  If you want the pure shock of the hit to "knock down" you need to look at the .357 magnum and .45 acp for carry.

I carry both big and small, but I look at accuracy and bullet performance to bleed them rather than the punch to knock them down.  Since I'm going to shoot until they go down it doesn't bother me to plan on using an entire magazine of .380's.

Happy research and practice!

[tombogan03884]

Something I forgot to mention in my first post is that you also need to consider the threat you are most likely to face.
If you are some sort of Cop, or soldier who may be facing threats that are potentially wearing some level of protective gear your needs will be different from some one like me, who's most likely threat is an aggressive dog while I'm walking to work.

[Sponsor]

[twyacht]

Availability [You have to have it with you.]
Reliability [It has to 'go bang.']
Penetration [It has to reach important bits.]
Placement [You have to hit important bits.]

If a bullet penetrates 18" without expanding, vs. a bullet that penetrates 9" with full expansion, which does more damage?

Ah, the eternal question....

For a .380, of which I have two. PPK/S, and P3AT, the up close BUG, has to just be reliable. Period. The Bad Guy in your face with a weapon in the supermarket parking lot, ATM, 7/11,, etc,...won't care.

Cor-Bon, Speer, Hornady, Rem. Golden Sabres, are all top shelf winners for JHP's, However, 5rds. of Magtech FMJ's at point blank range, even in .380, will change an attitude very quickly. (carry a reload)... Either way, .380 ammo has evolved, just like the .38 and 9mm. What was once considered a "marginal" caliber, is very adequate for SD, as long as it's reliable, and you focus on the target.

Here in the heat of S. Fl, my Kel-Tec, is just a habit of carry, with Speer Gold Dots. For its design and purpose, I never feel vulnerable, and damn sure won't be a victim. Some days, I carry a larger platform, but TEST your pistol with your choice.

BTW, don't keep your carry ammo for years, rotate it, shoot it, get another box. As my old instructor used to say: Inspect every carry round, rotate it to keep it fresh, maintain your mags, after all, you and your families lives may depend on it.



S

[kmitch200]

The wifes LCP got loaded up with Hornady XTPs.
The gun likes them, they're available and while XTPs may not open up a bunch, they almost always open up some in my experience, and they penetrate well enough to reach vital stuff.

Let's hope we never have to find out in the real world!

[SureShot]

Thanks Guys, lots of good advices.

Paul
Proud NRA, TSRA member