Cartridge profile · Introduced 1908 · Pistol

.380 ACP

Designed by John Browning for small pocket pistols. Mild recoil in tiny guns; meant for close-range self-defense.

Good for: Pistol, Self-defense

A typical factory load is a 90 gr JHP bullet at about 950 ft/s, with roughly 180 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle.

Typical load
90 grJHP · 3.75" barrel
Muzzle speed
950 ft/s
Muzzle energy
180 ft-lbs
Typical BC (G1)
≈ 0.10typical, varies by brand
Twist rate
1:16
Practical range
15 yd
Point-blank range
92 yd6" vital zone
Recommended platform
Small or mid-size pistolSnappy in tiny pocket guns

On the Handgun Cartridges chart

Made for
Designed by John Browning for small pocket pistols. Mild recoil in tiny guns; meant for close-range self-defense.Pistol · Self-defense
Typical load
90 grJHP · 3.75" barrel
Typical muzzle fps
950ft/s
Typical muzzle energy
180ft-lbs
Typical BC (G1)
≈ 0.10typical, varies by brand
Twist rate for typical load
1:16
Practical range
15 yd
MPBR (iron sights)
92 yd6" vital zone · Near zero 4 yd · Far zero 77 yd · Min PBR 0 yd · Max PBR 92 yd · Sight-in @25 2.42" high
Recommended platform
Small or mid-size pistolSnappy in tiny pocket guns

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Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.

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