hideit said:
the threads and replies on "favorite ammo for P3AT" left me cold
i didn't come away with a good feeling on what grain of bullet and FMJ or JHP
Bullet grain is not too important to me.
I'm not very concerned with "numbers" as far as ammunition is concerned. I have seen too many tests where the test results ran in the face of the numbers. Numbers may be an "indication" of an actual result, but not a very good one from what I have seen.
I prefer actual tests under similar conditions with various rounds.
I base my choice of .380 ACP ammo in my P3-AT mainly on actual tests using a P3-AT in various simulations.
I don't discount numbers entirely; it's just that they're not the primary reason for my choices.
A good example of this is the comparison between Cor-Bon DPX and Remington Golden Saber in .380.
They both are very close in actual performance in most tests, one beating the other by a hair from test to test. But they are far different in numbers. The first is light and fast, the second is heavy and slow, yet they both perform similarly.
Cor-Bon DPX -- 80 GR .- 1050 FPS - 196 FTLBS
Remington Golden Saber -- 102 GR. - 940 FPS - 200 FTLBS
Another example… I have seen tests that seem to prove that there is such a thing as “over-velocity”. Where an expanding bullet reaches a certain velocity, then the expansion begins to actually diminish. Essentially making the round LESS effective at HIGHER velocities, going in the face of what the numbers might initially suggest. Most would assume - “The higher the velocity the better!” ----- WRONG!!!!
So, to pick an expanding round based on velocity may be a big mistake.
This is the reason I have studied so many actual tests, under various conditions, in various test media, using a sample of .380 ammunition in the P3-AT as well as similar .380 pistols to come to my personal conclusions for carry ammo. During my study I compiled a list of URLs to these tests which the Forum Administrators have been kind enough to make a sticky at the top of the “P3-AT” section.
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1199737660
do readers use one bullet for practice and carry with another grain and style of bullet?
I do for one...
For carry I a mix of Remington Golden Saber JHP and Santa Barbara TCMJ. My life depends on my carry ammo so cost is not much of a factor. I want the best performing round(s) I can get!;
For range I use the least expensive (cost is important here) round I can find than runs reliably, fairly cleanly, and is "combat" accurate - out of MY gun.
Bobo