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9-9-06 a.m. Ruger .380 Lightweight Compact Pistol with approximately 50 rounds of misc. ammo thru it without cleaning (or malfunction). Approx. 75 degrees, 90% humidity (raining outside), instument 15' from muzzle. Bench rest, target at 7 yards.

Magtech 95 grain FMJ: Avg. 840 fps (830, 838, 840, 833,861). 1 1/2" group at POA (combat/center hold).

Winchester White Box, 95 grain FMJ: Avg. 859 fps (831, 884, 843, 887, 852). 1 1/2" group 1/2" below POA.

(old) Federal Hydra-Shock. Avg. 895 fps (887, 892, 915, 891, 892). 2 1/2" group 1 1/2" below POA.

Speer 90 grain Gold Dot: Avg. 929 fps (948, 926,927, 922, 924). 2" group 2" below POA.

Buffalo Bore "+P", 100g hardcast flat nose: Avg. 1071 fps (1089, 1044, 1068, 1077, 1077). 1 1/2" group 3" below POA.

the Buffalo Bore almost makes the LCP look like a real gun :) ... kidding!

Some good testing! Hope we can get the report on some more ammo types. Thanks for the data! Us other LCP owners appreciate it

Very interesting results. Thanks for taking the time to test and post.

If I were to choose a cartridge based on the above data, I'd go with the Magtech since it's closest to POA. The other rounds may be slightly more effective if they hit their mark but my aim is not going to change based on what ammo is in the gun. Under stress, I will aim like I practice and not take into consideration that THIS ammo in THIS gun shoots low, etc.

HighVelocity wrote:If I were to choose a cartridge based on the above data, I'd go with the Magtech since it's closest to POA.

Did you notice that this ammo is FMJ?

Yes, I noticed it was FMJ. I don't think over penetration is going to be an issue in this case.

HighVelocity wrote:Yes, I noticed it was FMJ. Maybe at these velocities .380 doesn't expand?
I don't think over penetration is going to be an issue in this case.

I was thinking of expansion. Also, I think the POA is going to be different handheld vs. benchrest.

All strings with from the same position - wrist on sandbag. The Gold Dots and the BB stuff were the last two and I admit sight picture (ha!) was getting a little shakey. I'm not so sure the some of the "low" part might not have also been a little subconscious anticipation of the recoil.

Greybeard wrote:I'm not so sure the some of the "low" part might not have also been a little subconscious anticipation of the recoil.

That happens with me too often! Those are pretty tight groups for a such little pea shooter.

Again, I don't think expansion is going to be an issue either. This is a 380 we're talking about. Hit were I aim and penetrate enough to get to the important parts. Those are my main concerns when talking about a minor caliber.

Thanks for the very interesting info. I have been using the Cor-Bon 90gr JHP in my LCP, I would like to know how it would stand up to your test. They were out of the Cor-Bon the last time I was a the gun shop and had to settle for 90gr Federal Hydra-Shok. I had heard that the Speer 90 grain Gold Dot was good.
I haven't tried the Buffalo Bore "+P", wow!

Thanks,

-geo

I just happend to stop by Denton County Sports and the Cronograph was still set up and Greybeard offered to let me to use it (thank you), so I figured I would also post my results I wish I knew it was there and I would have brought additional ammo, oh well cannot look a gift horse in the face. Rather than spell out the individual shot results I will just provide an overview.

Sig Mosquito, 22LR
Winchester superX plated holllow Point 40 gr 10 rounds average 1047.6
Winchester xpert hollow point (bulk ammo) 36 gr 10 rounds 1049
Eley Tenex (no other info on the box) 10 rounds 896.6

Sig P250 9mm
Remington UMC 115 gr mc 12 rounds 1045.3
This is where I wish I had different kinds of ammo with me,

I wouldn't worry about POA vs. POI. We're talking a 3 yard pistol, so unless POI if off by a foot or more at 3 yards, it's accurate enough.

bryang wrote:Thanks for the very interesting info. I have been using the Cor-Bon 90gr JHP in my LCP, I would like to know how it would stand up to your test. They were out of the Cor-Bon the last time I was a the gun shop and had to settle for 90gr Federal Hydra-Shok. I had heard that the Speer 90 grain Gold Dot was good.
I haven't tried the Buffalo Bore "+P", wow!

Thanks,

-geo

I saw the Buffalo Bore +P at Cabela's the other day....first time I saw that brand. Is it really that good?....

KBCraig wrote:I wouldn't worry about POA vs. POI. We're talking a 3 yard pistol, so unless POI if off by a foot or more at 3 yards, it's accurate enough.

Are you saying that as long as you're carrying this type of pistol, you won't take a shot over 3 yards, no matter what?