[robhic]

I know these days ANY ammo is hard to find. But what are your favorite types/brands for the 380?

After some research on smaller caliber rounds, I've decided that for using my Bersa 380 CC I will use a dedicated 7 rd magazine +1 in the chamber. I also plan on using Buffalo Bore 100gr +P HCL bullets for 24" penetration. I also have some BB 90 & 95gr +P HP rounds that look like they, too, would be OK for carry. Penetration on those is 10-12" which is pretty good. I guarantee my Thunder won't get a steady diet of +P ammo. It jumps like a dog shot in the behind with a BB gun! No, +P will only see CC use purposes.

I got a whole bunch of different ammo because it was hard to find. I've used BB, some Lawman and a bunch of Russian-made stuff. It has all worked very well and the pistol seems to have no issues with it. I have some Polycase ammo on order that has a non-metal casing which should be interesting to shoot.

What are your favorites and/or which ammo seems to perform best for you? When these dark days are over (hopefully soon!) and ammo isn't so scarce, I'm curious what types ammo seem to perform best in the Bersa.

 

[Tony1990]

I have never used Buffalo Bore ammo but I have heard good things about it. As for the +P ammo I won't use it since I believe on the smaller guns it can reduce the guns usefulness. In my Bersa Thunder 380 I have fired several thousand of non +P rounds thru it and all i have ever done is clean it, add new rear sights and replaced a bad non Bersa magazine.
My ammo: I prefer PMC bronze 90gr FMJ. I also like Lawman 95gr FMJ and Fiocchi 95gr ammo. As for my carry ammo in my Bersa Thunder 380 and my Bersa 380CC I only use Winchester PDX1 personal protection ammo. I have had very good luck with this ammo however since the ammo is getting very hard to find and then it cost a lot more I got a lot of other ammo when I could find it. If I can not find the ammo I like I buy the ones available.
If I can find the Buffalo Bore ammo ( non +P ) I will try it. Did you get it in a gun store or online ????

 

[Gretschguy]

For carry purposes, I have Remington 88gr H.P.s., Hornady 90 gr DPX, Winchester 85 gr Silvertip, and Speer 90 gr Gold Dot H.P.s. They all are 100% reliable in my Beretta m84.
Through the Bersa BT380, I've only shot a few of the Remmy's because of the ammo shortage, but they were 100% reliable. I've only had the Bersa since September 2012. I've put about 90 F.M.J.s and 17 Remingtons through it. In fact, I like the Bersa so much that I'll probably end up selling the Beretta. The Beretta, being a double-stack, is just too fat for me to carry discretely. (Fat grip, Fat guy= Major printing.)
At .380 distances and carry situations, even F.M.J. would work. When it's cold (more clothing), I'll switch to a little heavier caliber, using the Taurus PT-908 in 9mm as my "companion". I live in Florida, so how "cold" is it going to get?
Different tools for each situation. Options, I Love Options.

 

[Tony1990]

I like that "Fat grip, Fat guy= Major printing".

 

[robhic]

As for the +P ammo I won't use it since I believe on the smaller guns it can reduce the guns usefulness ... As for my carry ammo in my Bersa Thunder 380 and my Bersa 380CC I only use Winchester PDX1 personal protection ammo ... If I can find the Buffalo Bore ammo ( non +P ) I will try it. Did you get it in a gun store or online ????

1) Interesting point about usefulness. How do you think +P reduces usefulness? Strong recoil? You got me curious.

2) I didn't know PDX ammunition was available in 380. Thanks for that info. I am interested....

3) I got the BB ammunition from Midway (Shop Shooting Supplies | Reloading | Gunsmithing | Hunting gear ? MidwayUSA). It ain't cheap! It was around $26 for 20 rds. Expensive but quite hot. I've used the ammo in other calibers and it is good stuff. Not cheap, but good. I got some .357 rated at 1700fps!

Thanks for the information.

 

[robhic]

At .380 distances and carry situations, even F.M.J. would work. When it's cold (more clothing), I'll switch to a little heavier caliber ...

That was my thinking in getting the 100gr +P rounds for CC. Penetration is king! And 24" is a good start. I had a guy who is a professional hunter/guide in the Rocky Mountain area say the hard cast lead was his preference. He asked when was the last time I was attacked by a block of gelatin? Penetration was better and more important and he believed the higher 24" penetration of the HCL was better than the 10-12" of the HP in the smaller 380 caliber.

 

[Tony1990]

1) Interesting point about usefulness. How do you think +P reduces usefulness? Strong recoil? You got me curious.

2) I didn't know PDX ammunition was available in 380. Thanks for that info. I am interested....

3) I got the BB ammunition from Midway (Shop Shooting Supplies | Reloading | Gunsmithing | Hunting gear ? MidwayUSA). It ain't cheap! It was around $26 for 20 rds. Expensive but quite hot. I've used the ammo in other calibers and it is good stuff. Not cheap, but good. I got some .357 rated at 1400fps!

Thanks for the information.

My concern with the +P ammo is that it stands for increased pressure and some of the older guns may not handle the increased pressure when fired. Increased pressure may mean more repairs or not as time goes on. Anyway I feel comfortable carrying my Bersa 380CC with my 95gr bullets at this time.
Go to this website for more information on the +P ammo so you can make your own decision as to using the +P. I believe the newer guns can handle the +P's but do check with the manufacture before using them.

http://www.handgunsmag.com/2010/09/24/ammunition_demystplusp_0306-7/

You may have to copy the web address since it did not turn blue.

 

[robhic]

My concern with the +P ammo is that it stands for increased pressure and some of the older guns may not handle the increased pressure when fired. Increased pressure may mean more repairs or not as time goes on. Anyway I feel comfortable carrying my Bersa 380CC with my 95gr bullets at this time.

I agree with what you say. I also read the article. Interesting. Thanks for posting it. I absolutely do NOT plan on using any +P ammo with regularity! Plus it costs a LOT! I emailed Bersa's US distributor and asked them about +P. They said it was OK but not too much. No problem. I have a Taurus 357 that I keep loaded with +P HP ammo. Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

Also, with my Bersa CC, I am going to try some of that 100gr HCL ammo just to try it. And I plan to keep a dedicated 7 rd mag loaded with the 100gr cartridges. Not for use but for when and IF I carry the Thunder CC ONLY! It will rarely see a +P round at the range.

 

[Gretschguy]

I have some Winchester White Box 125 gr JHP in .38 Special +P's. I have no .38 Special revolvers, only .357 magnums. I may try some in the Taurus m605.
I don't believe that I'll use +P .380's in my Bersa. Currently, mine has Remington 88's (190 ft/lbs M.E.) in the magazine. If I feel the need for a warmer load in my BT380, I'll load up with Hornady C.D. (200 ft/lbs M.E.). .380 A.C.P is my minimum S.D. caliber. The cartridge is only meant to stop an attacker, not to be a death ray. I like my BT380 and I don't want to beat it to death. Bufalo Bore makes a standard pressure Hardcase 100 gr that is rated a little warmer @ 210 ft/lbs M.E. The heavier non-expanding projectile should penetrate a little deeper. I've not seen a report about it, though.
I have a couple of other platforms for more serious threats. Options, I love options.

 

[bersastud]

Their is no official PLUS P in 380 SAMMI sets the specs for PLUS P and neither 380 or 32 Its BB ad hype . Yes his ammo is little hotter than Corbon but still their is no PLUS P

I carry Corbon DPX in my Bersa . I also have some BB JHP that I bought to see if really all that hot It haslightlyty more recoil than the Corbon . But I feel nothing to get excited about. Both will work .

My self I don't want a bullet that penetrates 24" One of the reasons the 380 had such a bad rep as a SD caliber was over penetration with the ball ammo. A bullet that passes thru the target is not dumping its energy in the target Just making a hole at approx 700MPH(approx 1000fps) how long did it take to go thru a person. I want my rounds to stay in the target heart and lungs about 4 inches in . 10 t0 12" is enough If a arm got in way well shoot again You can shoot more than once.

 

[Keltyke]

I want to actually SEE the BB penetrate 24". I often carry a Bersa Thunder .380, and it's loaded with Corbon DPX.

 

[bersastud]

It should in Jell do 24" Hard cast at around 1050fps . Ball will do about that maybe a little less. Heck 25 auto ball will go 13 to 16 inch in the jell .

I will keep using my Corbon DPX love the copper bullet

I want as I have said my bullet to stay in body not just zip thru with a .355 hole

 

[huston]

Great info there fellas. Just joined the site. I own a Firestorm Mini 9 and a Thunder 380 cc. Got a couple of those Pro Mags and seem to have a problem with them. The Firestorm shoots whatever you put in it, but that 380 jams sometimes. I'll have to narrow the problem by getting more range time in.

 

[Tony1990]

Great info there fellas. Just joined the site. I own a Firestorm Mini 9 and a Thunder 380 cc. Got a couple of those Pro Mags and seem to have a problem with them. The Firestorm shoots whatever you put in it, but that 380 jams sometimes. I'll have to narrow the problem by getting more range time in.

Welcome to the Bersa Pistol Forum from The Lone Star State. Glad to have you on board huston.
I don't believe I have ever seen a Firestorn mini 9, do you have a pic to post of it. As for the Pro Mags I have heard good and bad things about them plus one of our members swears by them. They work just fine for him. Is your BT380cc new or well used?? If new was it well cleaned and lubricated and does the original Bersa mag works??

 

[Tony1990]

Yesterday in the DFW area of Texas the temperature was 72 degrees ( Great day to be out ) so I went ammo hunting. Academy, Walmart & Cabela's had ammo but not any PMCs 380 or Fiocchi 32 just mostly Remington's, Winchester flat nose and DRT Frangible Ammo. Looks like I will have to keep looking to replace my range ammo that I used. I may get to go to OK within the next week so maybe I can pick up a couple of box's of ammo then.
Anyone from OK have any idea how ammo availability are in OK.

 

[huston]

The Firestorm Mini is the same pistol as the Bersa Thunder 9 UC made by Bersa. The Pic of my Avatar shows three pistols, the one on top being the Firestorm Mini 9. The BT .380 was used but looked excellent. Only came with on Mag , so I picked up a couple of those Pro Mags and that's when the problems began. Since then I have picked up two bersa mags and have not had a problem

 

[Tony1990]

Here is a picture of the Firestorm Mini 9. And like the Bersa the firestorms are made the same and are very good guns. I have a Firestorm 22 LR and really enjoy shooting it.

 

[tnbersa380owner]

I have just gotten some of the BB ammo and I love it, it is what I will use when I carry. I will shoot what ever I can find to practice but will only carry BB

 

[klmspider]

somewhat of an old thread, but I am new to Bersa (love it, for what it is). I doubt that I'll carry it for concealed. I have a P3AT, and that means maximum concealment. I have a Boberg XR-9S, when a bit more weight and power seems a good choice. The Bersa was bought for reliable fun with a broad choice of ammo. When I want to carry a 380 acp for concealed defense, I'll go with Critical Defense (Hornady). I --DON'T want too much penetration [remember, "every bullet has an attorney attached"]. I want to stop the threat and not get an unintended victim! I won't be carrying anything real hot, as in a self situation, I want to be able to recover as quickly as possible, in case an additional shot is necessary. That means, the reliability of hits and shot placement trumps impressive ballistics. To this point, I haven't found any ammo the Bersa won't shoot with reliability, except when I under-charged some reloads (my bad). With that said, it is still better functioning than a tilting-barrel pistol of the Browning-style operation.

 

[Tony1990]

I have just gotten some of the BB ammo and I love it, it is what I will use when I carry. I will shoot what ever I can find to practice but will only carry BB View attachment 100 View attachment 101 View attachment 102 View attachment 103 View attachment 104

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