Ep. 13 Beretta Cheetah 80x 380 Ammo Testing: 99 gr Federal Hydra Shok Deep & 90 gr Fiocchi JHP

[@RonWayneOfficial]

Awesome testing & data! A joy to watch. 🤠👍

[@triggerbarPhD]

Thanks so much Ron!! Have a great day!!

[@stephen.mcguire]

Really appreciate the series on 380, great stuff thanks!

[@triggerbarPhD]

Thank-you!! Much appreciated!!

[@StevenMMan]

Any day on the range is always a good day. Having fun is the key. Best nemesis to staying activity participating is too make same ol same. So glad to see a change up Mountain man

[@triggerbarPhD]

Thanks my friend! Yah I have to. I do this for fun. As you know to this is a hobby for us and without fun, it’s like a job with no pay.

[@JosephJones.357sig]

Another great test, you should have said you were trying to hit the other wound track. Now that is some great shooting. LOL. If I had to pick, the Federal Hydrashok Deep would be my pick for self defense. I really like your " tactical " drill. Thanks for the test, hope you have a wonderful day my friend.

[@triggerbarPhD]

Thanks Joe! LOL yes I should have dubbed over and said, and now for my next trick we will test hitting another bullet dead on. 😂🤣😂. Trying to do some training with all of this shooting. Man I need to work on my malfunction clearing!! Thanks again!!

[@GreyShooter]

Exactly! I like Robin Hood, hitting an arrow with an arrow! Good show! 😁👍

[@ram218313]

good video and the round did okay with barriers even though the Beretta had issues. thanks for video

[@triggerbarPhD]

Thanks Ram! Yes I was overall happy with it but need to figure this beretta out or just get a good FMJ.

[@ram218313]

@ hopefully you figure it out.

[@ChrisFromThe740]

Great video Trigger Bar

[@triggerbarPhD]

Thanks Chris!!

[@ChristianGrest]

Some awesome testing as always! You’ve went way way down the .380 road. Obviously it’s still a viable SD option.

[@triggerbarPhD]

Thanks Christian. Some might say off the deep end! Lol. It’s been a fun series. Moving on a bit but I’ll be back..

[@bradbranch6462]

GREAT TESTING TRIGGER BAR, you're performing a much needed public service to our community with your extended testing in this series no doubt! I've been trying to resist the temptation to go down the rabbit hole on my Tokarev 7.62 x 25 simply because of the unavailability of various types of ammo. I really have to resist the urge to get a set of dies and build my own.... But for the time being, a couple 50 rnd boxes of S&B FMJ at 1560 fps will work just fine in the bug-out bag. Keep up the good work brother!

[@triggerbarPhD]

Hi Brad! I saw that your video came out and I started watching but kids and grand kids distracted me! I’m getting back to it. Was fascinated by the new 752(is that right)? I need to watch your first video on it.

[@bradbranch6462]

@@triggerbarPhD 742 remington

[@triggerbarPhD]

Thanks! I’m gonna head down that rabbit hole!

[@bradbranch6462]

@ 👍👍

[@DanTheWolfman]

Not chamber loaded drop safe, but ppu makes jhp that goes 16" Clear so likely 13" at that high velocity in Organic that is good.

[@urielmaldonado2677]

Always wanted to see the expansion and velocity of the 80x. I got the tactical urban with a 4.5 inch barrel so this gives me some insight on its performance. I plan to use it for my "in the city/suburbs" carry, with hornandy ftx that is NOT barrier blind

[@triggerbarPhD]

Nice. I think they only make the Hornady critical defense in 380, not the critical duty. Are you reloading or using the critical defense? I do have a video with just gel and no clothing or MDF for the critical defense and the beretta, the bodyguard 2.0 and a kimber micro 380 (all of my 380 ACP handguns).

[@urielmaldonado2677]

@triggerbarPhD whoops should've mentioned, yes im using the critical defense, with a slated velocity of 1000 fps out of s 4 inch test barrel. I'll have to look at your video comparing the three handguns

[@craigm1954]

Thanks again TB, another informative one. Quick question, the very first shot, HS Deep, you mentioned tumble. At least from the side view it looked to have been stable, and formed a spiral pattern? But, no big deal. If it's a range toy, which is a great thing, maybe you can try someone's 84 Mecgar mag to see to see if it works in your 80x. Good quality, factory type equivalent.

[@triggerbarPhD]

Great idea on the 84 mecgar mag. I’ve also thought of seeing if I can get a stronger spring.

[@triggerbarPhD]

I wish I had shown the top view, you would have seen that it was 2d and not 3d. My bad in not showing that.

[@craigm1954]

@@triggerbarPhD Not at all, I was only curious.

[@Mark-et8vh]

I am really digging these tests - very informative. I am leaning toward getting a Bodyguard 2.0, but haven’t decided if I’m going to give up my Bodyguard 1.0 yet. I’ve been carrying it and training with it for years. Double the capacity though? It’s tempting. I didn’t see them listed when I was scrolling through, but I wonder if of course, about the ammo I carry. I inherited police issued Winchester 95gr RA380T 95gr JHP. I’d be happy to send you some for testing. I’d just need to know how many you’d need. I’m sure you’re probably getting burned out on .380 testing, but if you’d like to try some, I’d be happy to pitch in. Happy New Year!

[@triggerbarPhD]

I have tested some Winchester JHP but I don’t think it was the RA380T. It was their elite defender. I have some sliver tip that I have bought already that I plan to test with too. Would that work? Id love to test out the rounds you have. I can’t seem to find any online, do you know if they are making it still? You can find my email address in my channel but it’s my channel name (triggerbarphilospher) at gmail.com. At a minimum for the gel I’d recommend 4-5 rounds for a couple of barrel lengths. Then if you want me to test reliability and accuracy that’s up to you. I typically would do 5 rounds for chronograph and 5 rounds for accuracy for a couple of guns. But up to you! No worries if it doesn’t work but thanks again!

[@DanTheWolfman]

While I would like to see Trigger test it, this is the ORGANIC GEL data from Winchester to LE in 2016...you need to understand Clear is not organic....Heavy clothing only 7.85" .64, Windshield only 4.5". I would not run that but in boxes may be worth a bit for Nostalgic ammo collectors some day. The 130+ Ranger T .38 round is very good for snubs though just shy of 11.3 .617", before HSD and punch, one of the best still is actually. While that's shy of 12", would likely do ok most civilian scenarios...7.85" NOT NEARLY Enough

[@DanTheWolfman]

It's good testing! Your Fackler style box in nice! As someone that just ran my new to me Beretta 84BB I appreciate this. Ran ppu jhp need to function test with punch. Are your mags Mec Gar branded that came with it. Thanks again for mentioning both Sam and I. Are you measuring to the end of the penetration or at the bounce back which happens more the larger the expanded bullet I believe because of air suction created in the Synthetic stuff. I'd like to know how far the fiocchi did clothing no mdf and mdf shots went to the end of track. The Fiocchi is pretty impressive actually for 50 rd boxes like the 124 I tested, or the 147 for pccs. Not HST or HSD good, but pretty good even if jacket comes off late in track. You are getting better, don't be hard on yourself. A little more penetration would be nice but I'm glad w got clothing no mdf and with mdf here most 380s won't expand or get way too shallow if they do. Another few and 380 Finale Vids with Real World Simulation, might do well like to see punch and some kind of xtp be that UW+ again, or Fiocchi, or precision one. Actually, AZ Arigunner just tested Atomic be interesting to see that, I am not sure that was an XTp but HOT yet not listed +p. Also, your Retreat Drills are good training, try to lift your heels back like moonwalking at SWAT school they tried to trip us shot at feet while criss crossing each other and jumping in front of us. You don't want to fall on arse when a road rager with mechete or pipe is charging you etc. Also, it is hard not to dip barrel too much while doing so, I do retreat drills and realistic stuff towards the end of my vids for those that take this seriously.

[@triggerbarPhD]

Thanks Dan I appreciate the feedback. Yes, I do need to do the test with and without the MDF. I tried to measure both before bounce back and with the bounce back. I’ve seen a test correlating organic gelatin and the clear ballistic gel and in 380, for the round they tested, the bounce back was there it ended in the same place as the organic gel. One test. One bullet. Not a depth of scientific data to confirm but it definitely has me thinking so I report both. Thanks for all your help and for the work you are doing. We are starting to get at this data so I’m excited!

[@DanTheWolfman]

@triggerbarPhD so we're the two Fiocchi about 11.5" at end of track? More better but for .380 not bad. People don't realize Critical Defense in most calibers only goes 11.25" in Organic according to Hornady. I want 13" Organic huge expansion but under .38 gets very difficult

[@triggerbarPhD]

11.5” at the end of the track and 10.5” where it stopped. The one without the MDF (unintentional by me) was at 14.0” and then about to 13.0” with bounce back.

[@DanTheWolfman]

@triggerbarPhD that's pretty solid actually behind hsd, Punch, then that, then anything w XTP likely, check @AzAirgunner test of Atomic I'm not positive that's am xtp unless it claims tk be on box?

[@RichB804]

Had an interesting experience. I was at the range and my friend was shooting his sig p365 380 with a 12 round mag and he said give it a try so when I put my hand around it and actually it felt pretty good even though the pistol is so small anyway I could shoot it very accurately and I actually liked it quite a lot so much that I went out and bought one. Only have around 250 rounds through it but with all the 380 testing you have done which self-defense ammo would you suggest I try first? Great job on this video by the way as always.

[@triggerbarPhD]

Hey, it fits your big hands! That’s great. Whichever you find cheapest in this order: federal hydra shok deep, underwood extreme defender 68 gr, Hornady Critical Defense, underwood XTP JHP, Speer Gold Dot and Fiocchi Defense Dynamics.

[@wastool]

Smith and Wesson claims the Bodyguard has a 1 in 10 twist. Just FYI

[@triggerbarPhD]

Yes! Thank-you. I have a few videos showing how that increased twist rate does a lot better.

[@UncleDanBand64]

I would run a Cheetah, I used to carry sometimes the Walther p3at. Currently my only 380 is the max. In that short bullet. I just go ball. I bet that gun would run 100% with ball. 380 is kinda minimum just better than a sharp stick. The bigger 380's are really a no man's land like the Cheetah, Walther and the bigger Ruger. I forget the big Ruger model. I have been thinking about that bigger Ruger. Yeah, they are almost G19 size but, slimmer and lighter. The Cheetah is probably as heavy as a G19 but, they are like shooting a 22. With the walther my split times were crazy fast.

[@triggerbarPhD]

I agree with you on all accounts. It’s as big and heavy as most 9mm compacts. I have it because I love the 92, sort of a collector item for me. I just picked up that ruger (security 380). I think it serves a purpose as an easy rack, low hand strength defensive tool. Video coming shortly. I ran 1000 rounds of mostly ball in the beretta, it ran great. jHP not so much.

[@UncleDanBand64]

@triggerbarPhD Is the Ruger the Security 380? I have really been threatening to get it. 15 plus 1 I think.

[@craigm1954]

@@triggerbarPhD Before I got my trade-in 84, I was seriously considering a Girsan tip-up version. Basically, minimal to no cocking effort for the first round, then SA for the rest. I thought it was an interesting knock off that they decided to put in production, but reports seemed to point towards a bit unreliable, and no clear way to break it down. I kind of assumed good quality on the 84BB I ordered, rolled the dice and got lucky. It's in good condition, not great but exceeded expectation. I had sort of given up on this pistol, then I impulse purchased when the price wowed me. No regrets, lol.

[@GreyShooter]

Great test, Trigger-Bar. Don't be hard on yourself. This series is fun, and I'm really enjoying it. Thanks again.🫡👍🇺🇲

[@triggerbarPhD]

Thanks GreyShooter! I appreciate the support! It’s been by far my most successful series in terms of people watching and it’s been fun to do. I’m taking a break for a few videos but will get back to it. It’s one of those things the more you dig in to, the more you realize you have to learn and can improve!!

[@Disastrous.Affect]

Great testing🫡 I got the new 1cm wireless hole puncher,😁 I posted a short.🫡

[@triggerbarPhD]

Thanks DA! I saw this last night and went to your video! Looks like a great new one!! 10mm is the best mm!!