.380 Auto Trajectory Calculator

See how .380 Auto stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every handgun caliber side by side.

The .380 Auto is a compact pistol cartridge designed for concealed carry and backup guns. With a 95-grain bullet at 980 fps and a 25-yard zero, expect about 2.0 inches of drop at 50 yards, 6.7 inches at 75 yards, and 14.2 inches at 100 yards. Muzzle energy runs around 203 ft-lbs, dropping to 147 ft-lbs at 100 yards. The .380 is best suited for self-defense at typical pistol distances under 15 yards.

Use the calculator to match your specific load. Click "Modify Calculation" to enter your bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient. Loads range from 85-grain to 102-grain, with JHP being common for carry and FMJ for practice. You can also factor in wind and atmospheric conditions.

.380 Auto Trajectory Chart

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.380 Auto Ballistics Data

Range (yd) Elevation (in) Elevation (MOA) Elevation (MIL) Windage (in) Windage (MOA) Windage (MIL) Time (s) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lbs)
0 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.001 980.0 202.64
5 -0.2 3.74 1.088 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.016 970.32 198.66
10 -0.01 0.07 0.022 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.032 961.29 194.98
15 0.09 -0.58 -0.169 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.048 952.57 191.46
20 0.1 -0.46 -0.134 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.063 944.13 188.08
25 0.0 -0.02 -0.005 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.079 935.95 184.84
30 -0.19 0.59 0.173 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.095 928.0 181.71
35 -0.48 1.3 0.38 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.112 920.26 178.69
40 -0.88 2.08 0.606 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.128 912.73 175.78
45 -1.38 2.91 0.846 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.145 905.39 172.96
50 -1.98 3.77 1.097 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.161 898.23 170.24
55 -2.69 4.66 1.357 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.178 891.23 167.59
60 -3.52 5.58 1.624 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.195 884.37 165.02
65 -4.45 6.52 1.897 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.212 877.65 162.53
70 -5.5 7.48 2.176 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.229 871.08 160.1
75 -6.66 8.46 2.461 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.246 864.64 157.74
80 -7.93 9.45 2.75 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.264 858.32 155.45
85 -9.33 10.46 3.043 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.281 852.12 153.21
90 -10.84 11.49 3.341 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.299 846.02 151.02
95 -12.48 12.52 3.643 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.317 840.02 148.89
100 -14.24 13.58 3.949 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.335 834.11 146.8

Take this table to the range

The .380 Auto reference load above as a wallet-size DOPE card: the same zero, standard conditions, holds in MOA, a 10 mph wind column, and a blank column to write in what the rifle actually does.

Download it as it is, or customize the size (turret cap, armband, index card), the columns, the wind speeds and units.

Customize this card

Print at 100% (“Actual size”). Laminate it or use waterproof paper for the field.

Available .380 Auto Ammunition Ballistics

Product Velocity (fps) BC 25yd Drop 50yd Drop 75yd Drop 100yd Drop
Aguila .380 ACP 95gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 945 0.082 0.0" -2.2" -7.3" -15.7"
Ammo Inc Signature .380 Auto 100gr TMC Ammo Ballistics 890 0.095 0.0" -2.5" -8.1" -17.3"
Ammo Inc Streak .380 Auto 100gr TMC Green Ammo Ballistics 890 0.095 0.0" -2.5" -8.1" -17.3"
Ammo Inc Streak .380 Auto 100gr TMC Red Ammo Ballistics 890 0.095 0.0" -2.5" -8.1" -17.3"
Armscor .380 Auto 95gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 920 0.082 0.0" -2.3" -7.8" -16.5"
Black Hills .380 Auto 60gr HoneyBadger Ballistics 1150 0.08 0.0" -1.5" -5.2" -11.4"
CCI Blazer Aluminum .380 Auto 95gr TMJ Ballistics 945 0.082 0.0" -2.2" -7.3" -15.7"
CCI Blazer Brass .380 ACP 95gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 945 0.082 0.0" -2.2" -7.3" -15.7"
Federal American Eagle .380 ACP 95gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 980 0.1 0.0" -2.0" -6.7" -14.2"
Federal Range and Target .380 ACP 95gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 980 0.103 0.0" -2.0" -6.6" -14.2"
Federal Train + Protect .380 Auto 85gr VHP Ballistics 1000 0.098 0.0" -1.9" -6.4" -13.8"
Fiocchi .380 Auto 95gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 960 0.077 0.0" -2.1" -7.2" -15.4"
Hornady American Gunner .380 Auto 90gr XTP JHP Ballistics 1000 0.099 0.0" -1.9" -6.4" -13.7"
Hornady Critical Defense .380 Auto 90gr FTX Ballistics 1000 0.099 0.0" -1.9" -6.4" -13.7"
PMC Bronze .380 Auto 90gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 961 0.1 0.0" -2.1" -6.9" -14.8"
PPU .380 Auto 94gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 951 0.08 0.0" -2.2" -7.3" -15.6"
Remington HTP .380 Auto 88gr JHP Ballistics 990 0.097 0.0" -1.9" -6.5" -14.0"
Remington UMC .380 ACP 95gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 955 0.077 0.0" -2.2" -7.3" -15.6"
Sellier & Bellot .380 Auto 92gr FMJ Ballistics 955 0.169 0.0" -2.0" -6.7" -14.1"
SinterFire .380 Auto 75gr FMJ Lead-Free Ammo Ballistics 1025 0.085 0.0" -1.8" -6.3" -13.5"
Speer Gold Dot .380 Auto 90gr JHP Ballistics 1040 0.101 0.0" -1.7" -5.9" -12.8"
Tula .380 Auto 95gr FMJ Ballistics 1017 0.082 0.0" -1.9" -6.4" -13.8"
Underwood .380 Auto 68gr Xtreme Defender Ballistics 1300 0.087 0.0" -1.1" -4.0" -9.2"
Underwood .380 Auto +P 90gr XTP JHP Ballistics 1200 0.099 0.0" -1.3" -4.6" -10.1"
Winchester PDX1 Defender .380 Auto 95gr JHP Ballistics 1000 0.095 0.0" -1.9" -6.4" -13.8"
Winchester Service Grade .380 ACP 95gr FMJFN Ammo Ballistics 955 0.082 0.0" -2.1" -7.2" -15.4"
Winchester USA .380 ACP 95gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 955 0.082 0.0" -2.1" -7.2" -15.4"

Zeroing the .380 Auto

Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 95gr G1 .100 at 980 fps, with a 0.5" sight height over the bore, at standard conditions (59°F, sea level, no wind for drop; 10 mph crosswind for drift). Handgun zeros are short because the sight sits close to the bore and the bullet arcs little inside 50 yards; the choice is really about where you want the crossover. Change the bullet, velocity or sight height in the calculator above to solve your own load.

.380 Auto zero comparison

.380 Auto 95gr reference load zero comparison at 0.5" sight height over bore
10-yd zero 15-yd zero 25-yd zero
Near zero 10 yd 15 yd 11 yd
Far zero 26 yd 17 yd 25 yd
Max ordinate +0.1" 0.0" +0.1"
Max ordinate distance 18 yd 16 yd 18 yd
Hold-dead-on window (4" vital zone, ±2") 0–50 yd 0–47 yd 0–50 yd
Sight in at 25 yd +0.0" (+0.0 MOA) -0.2" (-0.6 MOA) 0.0" (+0.0 MOA)
Drop at 50 yd -2.0" -2.3" -2.0"
Drop at 100 yd -14.2" -14.9" -14.2"
Energy at 50 yd 170 ft-lb 170 ft-lb 170 ft-lb
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How to read it: filled circles are the near and far zero, where the bullet's path crosses the line of sight;the triangle is the peak (max ordinate). The shaded band is the 4" vital zone, ±2" either side of the line of sight. The dashed line marks the edge of the hold-dead-on window. The chart is zoomed to where the zero matters; the tables below run to 100 yards.

Key terms

Near zero
Where the bullet first climbs up through the line of sight. It starts below the sight, because the sight sits above the barrel.
Far zero
Where it falls back down through the line of sight. A "200-yard zero" is the far zero; the near zero comes with it.
Max ordinate
The highest the bullet gets above the line of sight, between the two crossings. This is what makes a zero shoot high in the middle.
Point blank range (MPBR)
The zero that keeps the whole arc inside a vital zone for the longest distance, so you can aim at the centre and hold dead-on.

.380 Auto with a 10-Yard Zero

Zeroed at 10 yards with a 0.5" sight height, the 95gr load crosses the line of sight on the way up at 10 yards, peaks +0.1" at 18 yards, crosses back down at 26 yards, and is -2.0" at 50 and -14.2" at 100 yards. This load is subsonic from the muzzle.

Download CSV
.380 Auto 95gr reference load, 10-yard zero, 0.5" sight height over bore
Range (yd) Drop (in) Drop (MOA) Drop (MIL) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Wind drift, 10 mph (in)
0 -0.5" 0.00 0.00 980 203 0.1
5 -0.2" -3.71 -1.08 970 199 0.1
10 0.0" -0.05 -0.01 961 195 0.1
15 +0.1" +0.61 +0.18 953 191 0.2
20 +0.1" +0.49 +0.14 944 188 0.3
25 +0.0" +0.04 +0.01 936 185 0.4
30 -0.2" -0.57 -0.17 928 182 0.6
35 -0.5" -1.28 -0.37 920 179 0.7
40 -0.9" -2.06 -0.60 913 176 0.9
45 -1.4" -2.88 -0.84 905 173 1.1
50 -2.0" -3.75 -1.09 898 170 1.4
55 -2.7" -4.64 -1.35 891 168 1.6
60 -3.5" -5.56 -1.62 884 165 1.9
65 -4.4" -6.50 -1.89 878 163 2.2
70 -5.5" -7.46 -2.17 871 160 2.5
75 -6.6" -8.43 -2.45 865 158 2.9
80 -7.9" -9.43 -2.74 858 155 3.2
85 -9.3" -10.44 -3.04 852 153 3.6
90 -10.8" -11.46 -3.33 846 151 4.1
95 -12.5" -12.50 -3.64 840 149 4.5
100 -14.2" -13.55 -3.94 834 147 5.0

95gr G1 .100 at 980 fps, 0.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. This load is subsonic from the muzzle, so there is no transonic zone to cross.

.380 Auto with a 15-Yard Zero

Zeroed at 15 yards with a 0.5" sight height, the 95gr load crosses the line of sight on the way up at 15 yards, peaks 0.0" at 16 yards, crosses back down at 17 yards, and is -2.3" at 50 and -14.9" at 100 yards. This load is subsonic from the muzzle.

Download CSV
.380 Auto 95gr reference load, 15-yard zero, 0.5" sight height over bore
Range (yd) Drop (in) Drop (MOA) Drop (MIL) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Wind drift, 10 mph (in)
0 -0.5" 0.00 0.00 980 203 0.1
5 -0.2" -4.33 -1.26 970 199 0.1
10 -0.1" -0.66 -0.19 961 195 0.1
15 0.0" -0.01 0.00 953 191 0.2
20 0.0" -0.13 -0.04 944 188 0.3
25 -0.2" -0.57 -0.17 936 185 0.4
30 -0.4" -1.18 -0.34 928 182 0.6
35 -0.7" -1.89 -0.55 920 179 0.7
40 -1.1" -2.67 -0.78 913 176 0.9
45 -1.7" -3.50 -1.02 905 173 1.1
50 -2.3" -4.36 -1.27 898 170 1.4
55 -3.0" -5.25 -1.53 891 168 1.6
60 -3.9" -6.17 -1.80 884 165 1.9
65 -4.9" -7.11 -2.07 878 163 2.2
70 -5.9" -8.07 -2.35 871 160 2.5
75 -7.1" -9.05 -2.63 865 158 2.9
80 -8.4" -10.04 -2.92 858 155 3.2
85 -9.9" -11.05 -3.21 852 153 3.6
90 -11.4" -12.08 -3.51 846 151 4.1
95 -13.1" -13.11 -3.81 840 149 4.5
100 -14.9" -14.17 -4.12 834 147 5.0

95gr G1 .100 at 980 fps, 0.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. This load is subsonic from the muzzle, so there is no transonic zone to cross.

.380 Auto with a 25-Yard Zero

Zeroed at 25 yards with a 0.5" sight height, the 95gr load first crosses the line of sight at 11 yards, peaks +0.1" at 18 yards, returns to zero at 25, and is -2.0" at 50 and -14.2" at 100 yards. This load is subsonic from the muzzle.

Download CSV
.380 Auto 95gr reference load, 25-yard zero, 0.5" sight height over bore
Range (yd) Drop (in) Drop (MOA) Drop (MIL) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Wind drift, 10 mph (in)
0 -0.5" 0.00 0.00 980 203 0.1
5 -0.2" -3.74 -1.09 970 199 0.1
10 0.0" -0.07 -0.02 961 195 0.1
15 +0.1" +0.58 +0.17 953 191 0.2
20 +0.1" +0.46 +0.13 944 188 0.3
25 0.0" +0.02 0.00 936 185 0.4
30 -0.2" -0.59 -0.17 928 182 0.6
35 -0.5" -1.30 -0.38 920 179 0.7
40 -0.9" -2.08 -0.61 913 176 0.9
45 -1.4" -2.91 -0.85 905 173 1.1
50 -2.0" -3.77 -1.10 898 170 1.4
55 -2.7" -4.66 -1.36 891 168 1.6
60 -3.5" -5.58 -1.62 884 165 1.9
65 -4.5" -6.52 -1.90 878 163 2.2
70 -5.5" -7.48 -2.18 871 160 2.5
75 -6.7" -8.46 -2.46 865 158 2.9
80 -7.9" -9.45 -2.75 858 155 3.2
85 -9.3" -10.46 -3.04 852 153 3.6
90 -10.8" -11.49 -3.34 846 151 4.1
95 -12.5" -12.52 -3.64 840 149 4.5
100 -14.2" -13.58 -3.95 834 147 5.0

95gr G1 .100 at 980 fps, 0.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. This load is subsonic from the muzzle, so there is no transonic zone to cross.

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