.380 Auto ACP vs .40 S&W Ammo Comparison - Ballistics Info & Chart – Foundry Outdoors

.380 Auto ACP vs .40 S&W Ammo Comparison - Ballistics Info & Chart

The following ammunition cartridge ballistics information and chart can be used to approximately compare .380 Auto ACP vs .40 S&W ammo rounds. Please note, the following information reflects the estimated average ballistics for each caliber and does not pertain to a particular manufacturer, bullet weight, or jacketing type. As such, the following is for comparative information purposes only and should not be used to make precise predictions of the trajectory, performance, or true ballistics of any particular .380 Auto ACP or .40 S&W rounds for hunting, target shooting, plinking, or any other usage. The decision for which round is better for a given application should be made with complete information, and this article simply serves as a comparative guide, not the final say.

For more detailed ballistics information please refer to the exact round in question or contact the manufacturer for the pertinent information. True .380 Auto ACP and .40 S&W ballistics information can vary widely from the displayed information, and it is important to understand that the particular characteristics of a given round can make a substantive difference in its true performance.


Caliber Type Velocity
(fps)
Energy
(ft-lb)
.380 Auto ACP Handgun 980 190
.40 S&W Handgun 1070 420






Velocity


As illustrated in the chart, .380 Auto ACP rounds - on average - achieve a velocity of about 980 feet per second (fps) while .40 S&W rounds travel at a velocity of 1070 fps. To put this into perspective, a Boeing 737 commercial airliner travels at a cruising speed of 600 mph, or 880 fps. That is to say, .380 Auto ACP bullets travel 1.1 times the speed of a 737 airplane at cruising speed, while .40 S&W bullets travel 1.2 times that same speed.

Various calibers



Energy



Furthermore, the muzzle energy of a .380 Auto ACP round averages out to 190 ft-lb, while a .40 S&W round averages out to about 420 ft-lb. One way to think about this is as such: a foot-pound is a unit of energy equal to the amount of energy required to raise a weight of one pound a distance of one foot. So a .380 Auto ACP round exits the barrel with kinetic energy equal to the energy required for linear vertical displacement of 190 pounds through a one foot distance, while a .40 S&W round exiting the barrel has energy equal to the amount required to displace 420 pounds over the same one foot distance. As a rule of thumb, when it comes to hunting, muzzle energy is what many hunters look at when deciding on what caliber of firearm / ammunition to select. Generally speaking, the higher the muzzle energy, the higher the stopping power.

Again, the above is for comparative information purposes only, and you should consult the exact ballistics for the particular .380 Auto ACP or .40 S&W cartridge you're looking at purchasing.








Please click the above links to take a look at all of the .380 Auto ACP and .40 S&W ammo we have in stock and ready to ship, and let us know any parting thoughts in the comment section below.





Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.

We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.

We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings.



3 Comments

Rocky Whitbeck - Aug 04, 2020

Send me prices on ammo please

Joe Osisek - Oct 19, 2021

how soon for some 380 ammo???

Can I buy ammo on line - Mar 04, 2023

Can I buy ammo on line

Leave a comment

Comments have to be approved before showing up