:: Bersa Talk ::

We have lots of new members and many might wonder why I say Corbon DPX for carry. Here is a earlier test.. This test is by Stephen A Camp . Gun tester and Author . Also a member of BT

This has been posted her before but is a good test and read for New Bersa owners  and CCW 's

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

 

Mike mine DPX in 380 9mm and 45acp.

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Bersa Thunder,
PPK/S,
1990 Colt Mustang,
380 Kel Tec
380's Rule

"Just say "Lay A Way"

"WWJBD" What Would James Bond Do?

"Hokey religions and plastic glocks are no match for a good 1911 at your side, kid."

I know that some think this board is a shill for Corbon.  I carry DPX in my .380s, 9mm and .45s.  A buck a round to save my life or that of a loved one is no issue.  At first I wasn't as convinced, but after looking at the data and test...I have decided to trust my life with Corbon.

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Buzz

T380 plus others

In case people don't know I get NOTHING from Corbon I buy and pay same as you.  I just belive you should have a good carry round and Corbon line up  for most part is that. Their are a few of their offerings I don't care for . But in 380 the DPX and 90grHP are your 2 top choices . If they are of course relieable in your pistol.  Corbon has a rounded nose and has never been a problem in any of my pistols

 

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Bersa Thunder,
PPK/S,
1990 Colt Mustang,
380 Kel Tec
380's Rule

"Just say "Lay A Way"

"WWJBD" What Would James Bond Do?

"Hokey religions and plastic glocks are no match for a good 1911 at your side, kid."

I didn't know a thing about CorBon DPX until I got on this board and started reading MichaelT's data on the subject.  Now, it's all I carry in any of my pistols except the .22mag.  I would not feel disarmed carrying Golden Sabres, but I prefer DPX when I can get them.  They feed well in all my pistols and I have confidence in their ability to put down the BG.

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Seadog
In Omnia Paratus

How does one explain away the brassfetcher.com gel test?  DPX 80gr didn't do so well, did it! 

Of course, this was shot from a 2.75" Kel-Tec barrel, and with a Thunder .380 one has a longer barrel-perhaps better penetration?

I was surprised to find such a comment in the last sentence, though.  'underwhelming penetration depth'.  'Testing was halted'.  I just don't 'get it'.  But it turned me off to the 80gr DPX. 

I ended up ordering from Midway (on a 'birthday' special) the regular 90gr Cor-bon HP instead, with some Rem GS, and some FMJ, including Fiocchi 95gr.  I also ordered from Midway the Federal Personal Protection newest rounds in 90gr., supposedly reduced recoil HS. 

I also bought WWB FMJ and Remington at WalMart.   

Brassfetcher: 

Cartridge: .380ACP 80gr. Cor-Bon DPX Firearm: Kel-Tec P3AT with 2.75" barrel length Block calibration: 10.3cm at 593 ft/sec Single shot fired into gelatin block penetrated to 9.4" (corrected). Expanded diameter was 0.558". Testing was halted due to the underwhelming penetration depth.

http://brassfetcher.com/380DPX.html

I am very surprised that he did not shoot more rounds into ballistic gelatin when he observed such 'underwhelming penetration' with the Cor-Bon 80gr. DPX.

Perhaps a compromise in a Thunder 380 might be to have some FMJ, and then Fed Hydra Shok and perhaps a Cor-bon or two in ONE mag IF they will feed reliability given that recipe?

There seems to be a lot of 'hype' about various rounds, especially the Cor-Bon as the wunderround!  I take everything with a grain of salt. 

Haven't received my ammo yet.  I have a BT 380 on layaway, and due to laws out here in CA, won't be able to pick it up until end of next month due to 'one handgun' a month rule.

 

 

 

This makes no sense.

Cartridge: .380ACP 80gr. Cor-Bon DPX

Firearm: Kel-Tec P3AT with 2.75" barrel length

Block calibration: 10.3cm at 593 ft/sec

Single shot fired into gelatin block penetrated to 9.4" (corrected). Expanded diameter was 0.558". Testing was halted due to the underwhelming penetration depth.

 

Penetrated corrected 9.4 " and expanded to .558 . Most 380 HP would love to reach 9.4" and expand to almost 60 caliber.  Yet this was bad and test was halted  because of penetration depth.

I think did dam good for coming from a Kel Tec.  I'll take 9.4" and .558 " from sub 3" barrel 380 anyday..

In fact here another test I found in my files I don't remember where I found this as been in files since DPX first cane out.

 

10% Ballistic Gelatin Tests for:
Corbon .380 80 gr DPX

Testing Platform:
Keltec 3AT

Barrier:
Bare Gelatin


TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 8.375”
Recovered Weight: 80.2 gr.
Expansion*: .714 cal.
Velocity: 914.7 fps

* Expansion measured at widest point.

10% Ballistic Gelatin Tests for:
Corbon .380 80 gr DPX

Testing Platform:
North American Arms .380

Barrier:
Four Layers of Denim


TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 7.375”
Recovered Weight: 80.7 gr.
Expansion*: .716 cal.
Velocity: 988.8 fps

* Expansion measured at widest point.



10% Ballistic Gelatin Tests for:
Corbon .380 80 gr DPX

Testing Platform:
Walther PPK

Barrier:
Four Layers of Denim


TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 7.50”
Recovered Weight: 81.0 gr.
Expansion*: .725 cal.
Velocity: 1085 fps

* Expansion measured at widest point.


Calibration BB Data:
596.9 fps.
3.625 pen.

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Bersa Thunder,
PPK/S,
1990 Colt Mustang,
380 Kel Tec
380's Rule

"Just say "Lay A Way"

"WWJBD" What Would James Bond Do?

"Hokey religions and plastic glocks are no match for a good 1911 at your side, kid."

So why did the brassfetcher man say 'underwhelming' penetration? 

Do note that when he tested various FMJ rounds penetration on many occasions was 16".   That can not be ignored.

For carry, do you ever combine FMJ and HP rounds in a single mag in your BT380?  Does anyone have any comments pro or con on that one?

The Fed 90gr. Hydra-shoks tested seemed to have better penetration than the Cor-Bon DPX with the 'fetcherman'.

 

 

I wrote the brassfetcherman an email, the contents of which follow:

"  re:  Corbon 80gr DPX 380 acp

Dear brassfetcher:

You found:

"Single shot fired into gelatin block penetrated to 9.4" (corrected). Expanded diameter was 0.558". Testing was halted due to the underwhelming penetration depth."

We're somewhat perplexed by your comments in your last sentence.

Why were the tests of this load halted and why do you consider this an underwhelming penetration in this caliber?

Please see our thread:

http://bersatalk.com/forums/thread/53620.aspx


Your response would be appreciated.  And, thank you for your site!

regards,
rumblefish "

GREAT job rumblefish!!!!  Hopefully we'll hear back from'em, 9.4" and .558" sounds damn good too me for a 380 round. 

Myself and the Ol'lady carry HydraShok mainly because they feed so well in our Bersa 380's without any problems  never tried the Corbon DPX, no one around here that I have seen carry the DPX ammo only the regular 90gr Corbon is on the shelf. 

   

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Colt Goverment MK IV 70 Series
Colt Commander XSE LightWeight
Colt Detective Special's (2)
Colt New WoodsMan
Ruger Vasquero
Taurus 24/7
Taurus 605
Bersa Thunder Deluxe
NAA Mini 1 5/8" 22Mag/22LR Combo
S&W 1911PD Commander

Here is the response that I received from the brassfetcherman.  I have copied and pasted it from my email client.

"Rumblefish,

Thank you for writing with your concern over the test results that we
found with the .380ACP Cor-Bon DPX load.  Please allow me to explain the
wording in question.

That particular test was part of a series of .380ACP ammunition that was
paid for by a person looking for an 'optimum' .380ACP fired from a
Kel-Tec P3AT handgun.  Their definition of what was 'optimum' was : an
expanding bullet that expanded consistently and penetrated to 12.0" or
deeper in ballistic gelatin.  Along those lines, penetration of 9.4" was
considered to be far below the standard that they were looking for, and
since it was their money, we decided to try other JHPs in this caliber.

Personally, I would have liked to test more of this cartridge, in the
off chance that the tested bullet was a statistical anomaly and that the
bullet could really penetrate further and/or expand to a larger size.  
That part was not our call, though, in this case.

Thank you and best regards,
John"

Rumblefish, thanks for that follow-through / follow-up.  Good to know.

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Bersa T380CC
Kel-Tec P32
Ruger Bisley .45 LC
Ruger Blackhawk .357 Magnum
Ruger Mark II w/bull barrel
Ruger SP-101 w/2-1/4" barrel
S&W M&P 9c
Taurus PT1911 .45 ACP
Thompson/Contender calibers up to .357 MAXIMUM
Remington 700 .308 Win w/bull barrel + Leupold Scope
Ruger #1 .243 + Tasco scope

kyredneck:

GREAT job rumblefish!!!!  Hopefully we'll hear back from'em, 9.4" and .558" sounds damn good too me for a 380 round. 

Myself and the Ol'lady carry HydraShok mainly because they feed so well in our Bersa 380's without any problems  never tried the Corbon DPX, no one around here that I have seen carry the DPX ammo only the regular 90gr Corbon is on the shelf. 

   

I use DPX in .380 & .45 looking at a 9mm will also test in it.I had to ask the range to order some DPX they just carried Cor-Bon 90gr.Little pricey but I dont care, SD has no price('cept for the BG)

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And my gun is cocked and loaded,I hope I get me some sleep tonight.
Tommy Bolin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqKZEoY1rgU

Thanks for the follow-up, Rumblefish.  It sounds like the person requesting that test had already made up their mind against DPX and were set on another round.  Or maybe they just didn't want to pay for those very expensive DPX rounds.  In any case, it has not changed my mind.  I have complete confidence that DPX will work just fine in my P3AT and BT380.  I don't know too many people who will stand up for very long to 9.4 inches of penetration from a 60 cal. bullet.

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Seadog
In Omnia Paratus

Seadog-

Sounds like as if you're 'sold' on the DPX. 

I may carry a 'combo' of FMJ and either the DPX, Fed Personal Defense Hydra-Shok, or GS.

Cheers,

Good Price on Cor-Bon .380 ACP 90gr 1050fps 20/ct ($14.95 + ??? s/h)

http://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/corbon.html

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Blessings,

Mark



"The great object is, that every man be armed... Every one who is able may have a gun." - Patrick Henry