Best 380 Self-Defense Ammo: Small Package Protection

Many argue that the 380 Auto doesn't have enough knockdown power for self-defense. The same used to be said about the 9mm.

However, with recent bullet technology improvements, calibers that were once underpowered can be used for personal protection. I prefer to carry a 9mm Shield, but my wife would rather carry a 380 Kimber, so I began the search to find the best 380 self-defense ammo.

You'll find my discoveries below based on ballistics, price, and reliability, though not all three did not equally weigh into my decision.

Best 380 Self-Defense Ammo

Best 380 Self-Defense Testing Procedure

To determine which is the best 380 ACP Self-Defense ammo, I took several brands with varying bullets to the range to test accuracy, reliability, and affordability.

Disclaimer* some guns like certain ammunition better than others. A Ruger LCP will like a different bullet type and brand than a Sig Sauer, which likes different ammo than a Glock.

That's why buying several different brands and bullet types to test is the best option. You might find that Federal Hydra-Shok works better than Federal Punch, or it can't shoot either of those without malfunctioning, but it shoots Speer Gold Dot flawlessly.

I was using a Kimber 380 Auto for testing purposes, so you might experience varying results.

During the ammo testing process, I consider many critical factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Was the round designed for self-defense
• Ballistic performance
• Price
• Performance at the range
• Accuracy

The best self-defense round must be designed for personal defense. Many excellent target shooting rounds on the market don’t make good self-defense rounds, so the ammo that made this list was all designed for personal protection.

While I’m not a huge numbers guy, ballistic performance still matters. However, the rounds with the highest velocity and highest energy are not always the best.

Self-defense ammo is pricey so I don’t let the cost factor into my decision too much, but I understand we all want to get the most bang for our buck.

How well these rounds performed at the range is another important consideration I used when determining how to rank the following ammo. If it shot well and didn’t malfunction, it had a head start on the ammo that malfunctioned and jammed.

If you can’t hit the target, it doesn’t matter how well the bullet performs ballistically or if it never jams. So, I had to ensure these rounds were accurate by shooting a small target and punching tight groups.

My Top Picks For The Best 380 Self-Defense Ammo

Hornady Critical Defense 380 ACP 90 Grain JHP

Hornady 380 ACP Ammo - 25 Rounds of 90 Grain JHP Ammunition (Cases Not Nickel-Plated)

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$27.49

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Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point with Polymer Tip
• Bullet Weight: 90gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,000 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 200 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Hornady Critical Defense is trusted by many concealed carriers, myself included. Neither my wife nor I have ever had a malfunction when shooting this ammo. That's not to say it's impossible, but malfunctions are definitely rare, so I know when I need it most, it will fire.

I’ve found these rounds to be incredibly accurate and capable of very tight groupings. When I miss with this ammo, I know I did something wrong. It was not the ammo’s fault.

The ballistics are comparable to all other bullets of this grain, so you're not sacrificing anything ballistically when choosing to carry these rounds.

The polymer-tipped bullet makes it unique when compared to most other 380 ACP bullets. A polymer tip helps aid in accuracy and bullet expansion once it penetrates the target. Though it might not seem like much, the plastic tip helps this round stand above the rest.

If you still want to stick with the trusted Hornady brand but aren't convinced that polymer-tipped bullets are for you, then check out Hornady American Gunner 380 ACP 90 Grain JHP. The bullet weight and ballistics are identical; the main difference is the lack of the plastic tip.

The one downside to this ammo is the price; it’s some of the most expensive on the market because it’s some of the most technologically advanced self-defense ammo. It's not cheap ammo, but Hornady 380 ACP 90 Grain JHP is worth every penny when your loved one’s lives depend on it.

Fiocchi 380 ACP 90 Grain JHP

Fiocchi 380 ACP Ammo - 50 Rounds of 90 Grain JHP Ammunition

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Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point
• Bullet Weight: 90gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 975 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 190 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 380 ACP 90 grain JHP ammunition is inexpensive compared to self-defense rounds from ammo companies like Hornady, Federal, and Remington, so you can practice with these rounds without breaking the bank.

Even though they're easy on the wallet, they still offer ballistics that you'd expect from more expensive 380 ACP pistol ammo at a common bullet weight. While Fiocchi is rarely the first ammo brand people think of, it's a common brand, especially for budget-friendly ammo options. It’s often my go-to brand for the range despite being lesser known amongst American shooters.

I love that these rounds are loaded in the USA, so they should go boom when you pull the trigger.

The one downside is that Fiocchi is still a lesser-known ammo company in the US, so your buddies might look at you a bit strange when you tell them about your recent ammo purchases.I don’t mind the strange looks from time to time, especially when the ammo performs as well as Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 380 ACP 90 grain JHP.

Black Hills 380 ACP 60 Grain HoneyBadger

Black Hills 380 ACP Ammo - 20 Rounds of 60 Grain HoneyBadger Ammunition

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$32.99

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Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: HoneyBadger
• Bullet Weight: 60gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,150 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 176 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Though Black Hills Ammunition is a small company compared to others on this list, like Federal and Hornady, it makes high-quality ammo, and I love its innovative bullet designs.

The lightweight projectile offers CCWers solid ballistics, and the HoneyBadger bullet is intentionally designed to get excellent penetration while generating devastating injuries to the bad guy's vitals.

The biggest drawback of these rounds is the price. Since Black Hills created a unique projectile and they produce the ammo in smaller batches to ensure a higher quality standard, they cost more than Speer Gold Dot, Remington HTP, Barnes TAC-XP HP, and Hornady Critical Defense.

Federal Punch 380 ACP 85 Grain JHP

Federal Punch 380 ACP Ammo - 20 Rounds of 85 Grain JHP Ammunition

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Specs

• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point
• Bullet Weight: 85gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,000 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 189 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Federal Premium Punch is a self-defense round crafted by a trusted brand in the shooting community. Which means I trust it will go bang every time I pull the trigger.

The 85-grain bullet has a high muzzle velocity of 1,000 fps and still packs enough punch to stop a threat in a defense situation. It’s a JHP designed for personal defense.

I’ve found that the nickel-plated brass casing is smoother than traditional brass casings, which reduces the potential for the spent case to get jammed or not eject properly. These rounds cycled very well through my wife’s Kimber, as I didn’t encounter any problems with them at the range.

I especially love supporting companies that make their products in the US, even if they're more expensive. Because they're high-quality rounds, they're not cheap, so you won't want to take these rounds target shooting.

Winchester SilverTip 380 ACP 85 Grain JHP

Winchester Silvertip 380 ACP Ammo - 20 Rounds of 85 Grain JHP Ammunition

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Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point
• Bullet Weight: 85gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,000 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 189 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

For decades, Winchester SilverTip .380 ACP rounds have been trusted for self and home defense. Winchester Ammunition is one of the premium ammo brands, so you know you're purchasing reliable rounds.

SilverTip handgun ammo was designed for defense situations giving you the power to defend your family and yourself. You're supporting the US economy when you purchase these rounds because they're made in the USA.

The biggest drawback is that these bullets are time-tested.

How is that a bad thing?

The bullets use old designs and technology, so if you're looking for the latest, greatest ammo, this isn't for you. However, if you're looking for repeatedly proven ammo, pick up a box and test it out for yourself.

Is 380 Good for Self-Defense?

Yes, the 380 is good for self-defense, despite what some naysayers claim. The myth that bigger is always better has been disproven for a while, thanks to accurate ballistic measurements of various calibers.

While more powerful calibers such as the 9mm Luger or 45 ACP will have more inches of penetration during ballistic gel tests, that shouldn't discredit the 380 ACP from entering the discussion of a viable concealed carry weapon (CCW).

The 380 ACP has less recoil than larger calibers, making it more accurate with follow-up shots. It's also less likely to over-penetrate, keeping the bystanders safer in a defensive situation. When using proper defense ammunition, such as a JHP, the wound channel created by the bullet is more than enough to stop a threat.

Parting Shots

When you use the best 380 self-defense ammo in your pocket pistol, which is Hornady Critical Defense 90 Grain JHP, in my opinion, you won't have to worry if you have enough power to stop the threat.

Instead, you can focus on protecting your loved ones and yourself.

Written by

Wes Littlefield