Federal 90 Gr. Hydra-Shok .380 ACP

[snatchel]

Any of you guys had bad experiences with this stuff in .380? I found a box on clearance (open box) at Walmart tonight and picked it up for $14. Figured there was nothing to loose. I'll take it out to the range this weekend, but in the mean time I am wondering if any of y'all have had any experience with it out of a LCP. Feeding/Etc....

[2farnorth]

I used it in my Bersa for a long time until I ran out of it. I did test it on some milk jugs full of water and had an impressive response. At 7 yards the first jug literally exploded and the 2nd split and had a large hole through it. Never found the slug. I quit carrying them due to an occasional feed problem. I blame that on the large sharp edged cavity that would occasionally catch on the junction of the barrel and ramp. I've since smoothed that out but haven't bought any more of the Hydra shoks yet.

[snatchel]

I used it in my Bersa for a long time until I ran out of it. I did test it on some milk jugs full of water and had an impressive response. At 7 yards the first jug literally exploded and the 2nd split and had a large hole through it. Never found the slug. I quit carrying them due to an occasional feed problem. I blame that on the large sharp edged cavity that would occasionally catch on the junction of the barrel and ramp. I've since smoothed that out but haven't bought any more of the Hydra shoks yet.

That is exactly what I am nervous about. The feed ramp on the LCP isn't that steep, so I think I may be ok. I guess I won't know for sure until I run a couple of mags through it at the range.

[Oldgringo]

That's what I carry in my Sig P230 SL and it works okay. I've never had to shoot anybody as yet, so I can't speak to that aspect of your question.

[snatchel]

That's what I carry in my Sig P230 SL and it works okay. I've never had to shoot anybody as yet, so I can't speak to that aspect of your question.

I think we should find a volunteer to settle the .380 opinion.

[CC Italian]

I shot some when I had a Bersa .380cc. Went through four water jugs. I never recovered the bullet either. I tested a lot of .380 rounds before I got rid of mine and the best one out of my Bersa was the Barnes 80 grain copper. Expand every time I tested it. Many didn't expand in water and or I didn't recover the bullet so I don't know what to tell you there. I hear the critical defense is a winner in .380 with 9-10 inches of penetration and .45 caliber + expansion. Oh yeah and if your wondering the Barnes did better then the gold dots in .380. But like I said that was just water jugs and no denim. The ballistic gel is a better judge then my water jugs!

http://www.shootingillustrated.com/inde ... -shok-jhp/

I never recovered one so maybe it does expand. There are other .380 loads on this website but I wonder how they do against clothing? Either way you got a 35.5 caliber hole to start with.

[Jumping Frog]

Any of you guys had bad experiences with this stuff in .380? I found a box on clearance (open box) at Walmart tonight and picked it up for $14. Figured there was nothing to loose. I'll take it out to the range this weekend, but in the mean time I am wondering if any of y'all have had any experience with it out of a LCP. Feeding/Etc....

I wouldn't carry any round in any gun if I haven't first put at least 100 of them down range to function test them in my gun.

[snatchel]

Any of you guys had bad experiences with this stuff in .380? I found a box on clearance (open box) at Walmart tonight and picked it up for $14. Figured there was nothing to loose. I'll take it out to the range this weekend, but in the mean time I am wondering if any of y'all have had any experience with it out of a LCP. Feeding/Etc....

I wouldn't carry any round in any gun if I haven't first put at least 100 of them down range to function test them in my gun.

I think you misunderstood me. I do not intend to carry the hydra-shoks at this point. I found a box with a price tag of next-to-nothing (relatively speaking) and was curious how they ran. I broke the LCP in with WWB, and have been carrying it loaded with WWB since. My point was just to see if anyone had run it through their LCP, and if they had any issues with it feeding.