.380 ACP vs 9mm Luger
Typical factory loads side by side: speed, energy, BC, twist, range and what each one is built for.
The short answer
With typical loads, the 9mm Luger is about 200 ft/s faster at the muzzle (950 vs 1,150 ft/s).
The 9mm Luger carries about 102% more energy at the muzzle (364 vs 180 ft-lbs), which usually also means more recoil.
The 9mm Luger's typical bullet has the higher BC (0.15), so it holds speed better and drifts less in the wind at long range.
On the same size target, the 9mm Luger has the longer point-blank range (109 yd), so you can hold dead-on a bit farther without adjusting.
Side by side
| .380 ACP | 9mm Luger | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Designed by John Browning for small pocket pistols. Mild recoil in tiny guns; meant for close-range self-defense. | Georg Luger's military round, now the most popular handgun cartridge. Self-defense, police and competition with manageable recoil. |
| Typical load | 90 grJHP · 3.75" barrel | 124 grJHP · 4" barrel |
| Muzzle speed | 950 ft/s | 1,150 ft/s |
| Muzzle energy | 180 ft-lbs | 364 ft-lbs |
| Typical BC (G1) | ≈ 0.10typical, varies by brand | ≈ 0.15typical, varies by brand |
| Twist rate | 1:16 | 1:10 |
| Practical range | 15 yd | 25 yd |
| Point-blank range | 92 yd6" vital zone | 109 yd6" vital zone |
| Recommended platform | Small or mid-size pistolSnappy in tiny pocket guns | Compact or full-size pistolMild; micro-compacts are snappier |
Which one fits you?
.380 ACP: Designed by John Browning for small pocket pistols. Mild recoil in tiny guns; meant for close-range self-defense.
9mm Luger: Georg Luger's military round, now the most popular handgun cartridge. Self-defense, police and competition with manageable recoil.
For most hunters, the right pick is the one you can shoot accurately and comfortably, in a rifle that fits how you hunt. Good shot placement and a bullet built for your game matter more than small differences on paper.
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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.