.380 ACP Ballistics Charts: Velocity, Energy & Trajectory

The .380 ACP has been a popular compact handgun cartridge for more than a century. Also known as .380 Auto and 9x17mm, the cartridge is especially associated with compact and lightweight semi-automatic pistols.

Understanding .380 ACP ballistics can help shooters compare different factory loads and understand how bullet weight, velocity, energy and distance affect projectile performance. Although .380 ACP is generally associated with relatively short-range handgun use, different factory loads can produce noticeably different ballistic results.

The .380 ACP ballistics charts below provide representative examples using published manufacturer data. Actual performance can vary depending on the firearm, barrel length, ammunition lot and environmental conditions.

For additional information, read our Best .380 ACP Ammo guide, learn about the History of .380 ACP Ammo, or browse currently available .380 ACP Ammo at Vizard's Guns & Ammo.

.380 ACP Ballistics at a Glance

Modern .380 ACP ammunition is available with numerous bullet weights and projectile designs.

Speer describes standard .380 Auto bullet weights as ranging approximately 80 to 120 grains, with 85-to-95-grain bullets commonly producing muzzle velocities around 950 to 1,100 fps, depending on the load and test conditions.

The familiar 95-grain FMJ remains one of the cartridge's common configurations. Defensive ammunition frequently uses bullets around 90 grains, although heavier and lighter loads are also available.

Here are manufacturer-published examples showing how individual .380 Auto loads can differ:

These figures come from manufacturer ballistic tables and shouldn't be interpreted as results from identical test conditions. Barrel length alone can significantly affect measured velocity.

95-Grain .380 ACP Ballistics Chart

The 95-grain FMJ is a useful starting point for understanding traditional .380 ACP ballistics because it is a common configuration for range and training ammunition.

Federal publishes the following ballistic data for its 95-grain Champion FMJ .380 Auto load:

Federal's published data illustrates the gradual loss of velocity and energy as the projectile travels downrange.

At the muzzle, the load produces approximately 1,020 fps and 220 foot-pounds of energy. At 50 yards, published velocity has declined to approximately 930 fps, while energy has fallen to approximately 180 foot-pounds.

By 100 yards, Federal lists approximately 860 fps and 155 foot-pounds.

Another 95-Grain .380 ACP Ballistics Example

Not every 95-grain .380 ACP load produces identical ballistics.

Remington publishes the following figures for one of its 95-grain FMJ .380 Auto loads:

The difference between this load and Federal's 95-grain load demonstrates an important point:

Bullet weight alone does not determine .380 ACP ballistics.

Two cartridges can both contain 95-grain FMJ bullets while producing different velocities and energies because the complete factory loads aren't identical.

88-Grain .380 ACP Ballistics

Lighter bullets are also available in .380 ACP.

Remington publishes ballistic information for an 88-grain jacketed hollow point .380 Auto load:

This load starts with a lighter projectile than the traditional 95-grain FMJ example while producing a higher initial velocity than Remington's 95-grain FMJ load.

Again, that doesn't automatically make one load "better." Projectile construction and intended application differ.

102-Grain .380 ACP Ballistics

Heavier .380 ACP bullets provide another useful comparison.

Remington's published data includes a 102-grain brass-jacketed hollow point with the following figures:

This demonstrates the relationship between projectile mass and velocity.

The 102-grain bullet begins at a lower published velocity than the lighter 88-grain example, yet its greater projectile mass contributes to its energy figure.

How Bullet Weight Affects .380 ACP Ballistics

Bullet weight is measured in grains, with 7,000 grains equaling one pound.

In general, lighter bullets can be driven at higher velocities, while heavier bullets may travel more slowly. But that is only a general relationship.

Factory ammunition is engineered as a complete system.

Projectile construction, powder selection, pressure, barrel length and other factors affect the final ballistic performance of an individual load.

This is why comparing actual manufacturer data is more useful than assuming every 90-grain or 95-grain .380 ACP cartridge will perform identically.

.380 ACP Velocity

Velocity describes how quickly the projectile is traveling and is normally expressed in feet per second (fps).

Speer notes that .380 Auto bullets in the common 85-to-95-grain range may produce muzzle velocities around 950 to 1,100 fps, depending on the ammunition.

Manufacturer examples show this variation clearly.

Federal publishes 1,020 fps for its 95-grain Champion FMJ load, while Remington publishes 955 fps for one of its 95-grain FMJ loads and Fiocchi publishes 960 fps for its 95-grain Range Dynamics FMJ ammunition.

Therefore, there isn't one universal ".380 ACP velocity."

The specific factory load matters.

.380 ACP Muzzle Energy

Muzzle energy describes the projectile's kinetic energy as it exits the barrel and is normally expressed in foot-pounds (ft-lbs).

Velocity has a particularly important effect on kinetic energy because velocity is squared in the energy calculation.

That means relatively modest changes in velocity can produce meaningful differences in calculated energy.

Manufacturer-published examples in this article range from approximately 191 to 220 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, but that should not be treated as the absolute performance range for every .380 ACP load on the market. Different ammunition can fall outside those figures.

.380 ACP Velocity and Energy by Distance

Federal's 95-grain FMJ data provides a straightforward example of how velocity and energy change as distance increases:

The projectile continuously loses velocity because of aerodynamic drag.

Because kinetic energy depends heavily on velocity, energy decreases as well.

This is one reason ballistics tables include multiple distances rather than simply listing muzzle velocity.

.380 ACP Trajectory

Trajectory describes the projectile's flight path relative to the firearm's line of sight.

Federal's published handgun ballistic tables show increasing trajectory drop as distance increases for its .380 Auto load. However, trajectory figures depend on sight height, zero distance, ammunition and other assumptions used to generate the table.

For most discussions of .380 ACP, the more useful point is that trajectory becomes increasingly curved as distance increases.

Like every projectile, a .380 ACP bullet begins losing velocity after leaving the muzzle while gravity continually acts on it.

This effect becomes progressively more noticeable as distance increases.

Why Barrel Length Matters With .380 ACP

Barrel length deserves particular attention with .380 ACP because many firearms chambered for the cartridge have short barrels.

Published ammunition velocity is obtained using specific testing equipment and barrel lengths.

A compact handgun with a shorter barrel can produce a different velocity than the manufacturer's published figure.

Hornady explains that individual firearm chambers and barrels can cause ammunition to produce velocities faster or slower than published figures. The company notes that the only way to determine actual performance from a particular firearm is to measure it with a chronograph.

Therefore:

Ballistic charts should be treated as reference data, not a guarantee of the exact velocity your firearm will produce.

Why Published .380 ACP Ballistics Differ Between Manufacturers

If you compare several boxes of .380 ACP ammunition, you'll probably encounter different velocity and energy figures even when the bullet weights appear similar.

There are several reasons.

Different loads use different projectiles and cartridge designs. Manufacturers may also use different test barrels and conditions.

Individual firearms introduce another set of variables.

Hornady identifies chamber dimensions and barrel characteristics among the reasons actual velocity may differ from published figures.

This is why the manufacturer's data for the specific ammunition load is more useful than assigning one velocity number to the entire .380 ACP cartridge.

FMJ vs. JHP .380 ACP Ballistics

FMJ and JHP ammunition shouldn't be compared solely by muzzle velocity.

FMJ, or full metal jacket ammunition, is commonly used for range practice and training.

JHP, or jacketed hollow point ammunition, is generally engineered with a hollow cavity and is commonly marketed for defensive applications.

Projectile construction can affect how a bullet behaves after impact even when two cartridges have similar muzzle energy.

That distinction involves terminal ballistics, which is different from external ballistics.

External ballistics examines the projectile during flight. Terminal ballistics examines what happens after the projectile reaches a target. Hornady similarly distinguishes external and terminal ballistics in its educational materials.

90-Grain vs. 95-Grain .380 ACP Ballistics

Both 90-grain and 95-grain bullets are common choices in modern .380 ACP ammunition.

A lighter 90-grain projectile may produce greater velocity in some loads, while a 95-grain bullet carries slightly more mass.

However, grain weight alone doesn't tell you which load has greater velocity, energy or overall performance.

Speer, for example, offers a 90-grain Gold Dot .380 Auto defensive loading while its Lawman training ammunition uses a 95-grain projectile.

These products were developed for different applications.

When comparing them, examine the complete manufacturer's specifications rather than simply comparing the number printed next to "grains."

How Far Can .380 ACP Maintain Velocity?

Manufacturer data shows that .380 ACP projectiles continue traveling well beyond ordinary handgun distances, but velocity and energy steadily decline.

Federal's 95-grain FMJ example starts at 1,020 fps and retains approximately:

970 fps at 25 yards
930 fps at 50 yards
890 fps at 75 yards
860 fps at 100 yards

Energy decreases from approximately 220 ft-lbs at the muzzle to approximately 155 ft-lbs at 100 yards.

This illustrates why distance should always be considered when reading a ballistic chart.

Understanding .380 ACP Ballistics Charts

When comparing .380 ACP ammunition, pay attention to several pieces of information:

Bullet Weight: Usually expressed in grains.

Bullet Type: FMJ, JHP or another projectile design.

Muzzle Velocity: Projectile speed as it leaves the test barrel.

Downrange Velocity: Estimated or measured projectile speed at specified distances.

Muzzle Energy: Calculated kinetic energy at the muzzle.

Downrange Energy: Remaining kinetic energy at various distances.

Trajectory: The projectile's path relative to the line of sight.

Test Barrel Length: Important context when comparing published velocities.

Looking at all of these values provides a much better understanding than comparing muzzle velocity alone.

.380 ACP Ballistics FAQ

How fast is a .380 ACP bullet?

It depends on the ammunition. Speer describes common 85-to-95-grain .380 Auto loads as producing approximately 950 to 1,100 fps at the muzzle, while individual factory loads vary.

How much energy does .380 ACP produce?

It varies by load. Manufacturer examples examined here produce roughly 191 to 220 ft-lbs at the muzzle, although other commercial loads can produce figures outside that range.

What is the most common .380 ACP bullet weight?

90-grain and 95-grain bullets are among the most common, although .380 ACP ammunition is available with lighter and heavier projectiles.

Does a shorter barrel reduce .380 ACP velocity?

It can. Actual velocity varies with barrel length and the individual firearm. Manufacturer-published velocities therefore shouldn't be assumed to match every compact pistol exactly.

Is .380 ACP the same as .380 Auto?

Yes. .380 ACP and .380 Auto refer to the same cartridge. It is also commonly known internationally as 9x17mm.

Explore More About .380 ACP

Want to learn more about .380 ACP ammunition? Explore our Best .380 ACP Ammo guide to learn about common bullet weights, FMJ and JHP ammunition, and factors to consider when comparing modern .380 Auto loads.

Learn how the cartridge developed more than a century ago in our History of .380 ACP Ammo guide, covering John Moses Browning, the Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless and the evolution of .380 ACP into the modern era.

Ready to browse ammunition? Shop our current selection of .380 ACP Ammo at Vizard's Guns & Ammo.

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