Hi guys. I'm looking at a .380 for a pocket gun/ccw. The 9mm is just a little bigger than I want to carry.
Question is what would be the max powder load and bullet size for a self defense load? It appears the .380 factory loads use a 90-95 grain bullet and the 9mm uses a 115 grain bullet. If I can put a 115 or bigger grain bullet in a .380 then I don't have a problem buying the .380. Then adjust for the powder load. I also haven't seen any data on what kind of pressure these pocket pistols such as the S&W, Ruger, Kahr, Kel-tec, Beretta, and others will take.
The .380 uses a .17 mm long case and the 9mm uses a .19 mm long case. I don't suppose that the two extra millimeters allows that much more room for a larger powder load does it?
I checked the Hodgdon online report. Shows the .380 as max loads all under 16,000 psi while the max for the 9mm appears to be about 33,000 psi. They shows .380 loads with 90, 95, & 100 grain bullets and the 9mm loads as 90 to 147grain bullets. Velocity varies with the .380 from about 800 to 970 fps and the 9mm at 850 to 1400 fps. Looks like about all the .380 rounds are subsonic (under 1000 fps) while the 9mm can get some faster rounds although the 9mm with a 147 grain bullet can get about 1100 fps.
If I could get the equivalent of the 9mm factory load (115 grain) in the .380 and still get at least 800 fps for 25 yards, that would make me feel secure. Probably ditch the jacket and go with a lead round nose flat point or a semi wadcutter so I have something that will flatten on impact.
I still think the .380 is more of a pocket gun that fits my pockets and the 9mm is just a little big for pocket carry. My .45 fits in my back pocket but the barrel sticks out about 3 inches. I'll have to find something like one of those trucker wallets to carry that thing back there or maybe make something from leather.
Thanks