380 caliber range

Stephen A. Camp · 09-21-2005, 06:51 PM

Hello. I recently received some of this ammunition from Corbon. It is a standard pressure load, something appreciated by many shooters who prefer not loading their handguns with anything +P rated.

The 80-gr. DPX is centered between Federal Classic 90-gr. JHP on the left and Federal 95-gr. FMJ on the right.

It uses a homogeneous copper alloy bullet with a large hollow cavity; there is no jacket and the bullet is designed to perform to the FBI protocol of at least 12" penetration. Not having access to ballistic gelatin nor a constant-temperature laboratory, I do not know how well it will meet such testing, but am extremely hopeful after my own "backyard ballistics" informal testing.

This expanded DPX bullet was fired into water using a Bersa Thunder pistol having a 3.5" barrel. Expansion was remarkably consistent whether fired into water or super-saturated newsprint.

Ten shots were fired approximately ten feet from the chronograph screens and the average velocity from my Bersa Thunder was 1067 ft/sec, slightly higher than Corbon's nominally-listed 1050 ft/sec.

When fired into both water and super-saturated newsprint, expansion was very consistant and uniform. These bullets did not fragment and I could find no loss in bullet weight from recovered bullets.

Accuracy was very good and these cartridges ran smoothly in the Bersa. There was no "hesitation" at all in feeding and ejection was positive. There were zero malfunctions.

Using a rest and a two-hand hold from a seated position, this five-shot group was about average for the DPX and Bersa at 15 yards. Certainly this is farther than most might deem necessary for this type/caliber firearm, but if it is satisfactory at this distance, it should be fine closer in as well. There was no evidence whatsoever of anything other than bullets impacting the target that were stabile in flight; no tipping or out-of-round holes.

Only forty shots were fired and that's not a definitive test for reliability at all, but it does appear that this round should feed in most .380 autoloaders.

If this ammunition might be useful to you, please contact Corbon via their website at www.corbon.com for pricing and availability. If it is not on the market yet, it should be very soon.

For those interested in a more detailed report, follow the link below:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Bersa%20Thunder.htm

Best.

Jim Higginbotham · 09-22-2005, 02:25 PM

thanks Steve...as always, good info!
Jim

M. Hall · 09-22-2005, 08:41 PM

While I have no plans to carry this caliber, until forced into it for whatever
reason, I do appreciate the abilities of the load, as well as the excellent
report! Thanks again Stephen!

Witherspoon · 09-23-2005, 02:24 AM

Good stuff, as always, Stephen. Thanks for your efforts.

SparxSP · 12-26-2007, 12:23 PM

In another test, I read of consistent 11-12" penetration with this round. Between that, and the kind of expansion results that you experienced, how anyone can consider this round to be inadequate for self defense is just beyond me. You gotta change with the times (and the technology), but.....that's just me.
Thanks for the "ammunition".

09-21-2005, 06:51 PM	#1
Stephen A. Camp Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southwest Posts: 2,371	Informal Test: Corbon .380 DPX using Bersa Thunder ... Hello. I recently received some of this ammunition from Corbon. It is a standard pressure load, something appreciated by many shooters who prefer not loading their handguns with anything +P rated. The 80-gr. DPX is centered between Federal Classic 90-gr. JHP on the left and Federal 95-gr. FMJ on the right. It uses a homogeneous copper alloy bullet with a large hollow cavity; there is no jacket and the bullet is designed to perform to the FBI protocol of at least 12" penetration. Not having access to ballistic gelatin nor a constant-temperature laboratory, I do not know how well it will meet such testing, but am extremely hopeful after my own "backyard ballistics" informal testing. This expanded DPX bullet was fired into water using a Bersa Thunder pistol having a 3.5" barrel. Expansion was remarkably consistent whether fired into water or super-saturated newsprint. Ten shots were fired approximately ten feet from the chronograph screens and the average velocity from my Bersa Thunder was 1067 ft/sec, slightly higher than Corbon's nominally-listed 1050 ft/sec. When fired into both water and super-saturated newsprint, expansion was very consistant and uniform. These bullets did not fragment and I could find no loss in bullet weight from recovered bullets. Accuracy was very good and these cartridges ran smoothly in the Bersa. There was no "hesitation" at all in feeding and ejection was positive. There were zero malfunctions. Using a rest and a two-hand hold from a seated position, this five-shot group was about average for the DPX and Bersa at 15 yards. Certainly this is farther than most might deem necessary for this type/caliber firearm, but if it is satisfactory at this distance, it should be fine closer in as well. There was no evidence whatsoever of anything other than bullets impacting the target that were stabile in flight; no tipping or out-of-round holes. Only forty shots were fired and that's not a definitive test for reliability at all, but it does appear that this round should feed in most .380 autoloaders. If this ammunition might be useful to you, please contact Corbon via their website at www.corbon.com for pricing and availability. If it is not on the market yet, it should be very soon. For those interested in a more detailed report, follow the link below: http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Bersa%20Thunder.htm Best.

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380 caliber range

bersa ammunition

bersa thunder 380 dpx

bersa thunder 380 jhp test

bersa thunder 380 super

corbon 80gr dpx

corbond dpx1 80 gr 380 gel test

gelatin 380 dpx test

stephen camp bersa thunder

09-22-2005, 02:25 PM	#2
Jim Higginbotham Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 503	thanks Steve...as always, good info! Jim

09-22-2005, 08:41 PM	#3
M. Hall Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,141	While I have no plans to carry this caliber, until forced into it for whatever reason, I do appreciate the abilities of the load, as well as the excellent report! Thanks again Stephen!

09-23-2005, 02:24 AM	#4
Witherspoon Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 524	Good stuff, as always, Stephen. Thanks for your efforts.

12-26-2007, 12:23 PM	#5
SparxSP Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8	In another test, I read of consistent 11-12" penetration with this round. Between that, and the kind of expansion results that you experienced, how anyone can consider this round to be inadequate for self defense is just beyond me. You gotta change with the times (and the technology), but.....that's just me. Thanks for the "ammunition".