Hornady Critical Defense .380 Auto 90gr FTX Ballistics
Nickel-Plated Brass Case • FTX • MPN: 90080
Hornady Critical Defense .380 Auto 90gr FTX Ballistics
Nickel-Plated Brass Case • FTX • MPN: 90080
Trajectory @ 25yd Zero
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 1000 fps | 199 ft-lb | — |
| 5 yds | 989 fps | 195 ft-lb | -0.2" |
| 10 yds | 979 fps | 191 ft-lb | -0.0" |
| 15 yds | 970 fps | 188 ft-lb | +0.1" |
| 20 yds | 961 fps | 184 ft-lb | +0.1" |
| 25 yds ⊕ | 952 fps | 181 ft-lb | +0.0" |
| 30 yds | 943 fps | 178 ft-lb | -0.2" |
| 35 yds | 935 fps | 174 ft-lb | -0.5" |
| 40 yds | 927 fps | 171 ft-lb | -0.8" |
| 45 yds | 919 fps | 169 ft-lb | -1.3" |
| 50 yds | 912 fps | 166 ft-lb | -1.9" |
| 55 yds | 904 fps | 163 ft-lb | -2.6" |
| 60 yds | 897 fps | 160 ft-lb | -3.4" |
| 65 yds | 890 fps | 158 ft-lb | -4.3" |
| 70 yds | 883 fps | 156 ft-lb | -5.3" |
| 75 yds | 876 fps | 153 ft-lb | -6.4" |
| 80 yds | 870 fps | 151 ft-lb | -7.6" |
| 85 yds | 863 fps | 149 ft-lb | -9.0" |
| 90 yds | 857 fps | 146 ft-lb | -10.5" |
| 95 yds | 850 fps | 144 ft-lb | -12.0" |
| 100 yds | 844 fps | 142 ft-lb | -13.7" |
Product Overview
Hornady's Critical Defense in .380 Auto fires a 90gr FTX bullet at 1,000 fps for 200 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle. The nickel-plated brass case aids extraction and visibility in low light. This is one of the most widely carried .380 defensive loads on the market, and the FTX bullet was designed specifically to address the expansion problems that plague traditional hollow points in this caliber.
The FTX bullet has a red polymer tip seated inside the hollow point cavity. When a standard JHP passes through heavy denim or layered clothing, the cavity can clog with fabric and act like a ball round, punching straight through without opening up. The polymer tip in the FTX prevents that. It initiates expansion on contact regardless of what the bullet passes through first. Hornady also uses a low-flash propellant in this load, which helps preserve night vision if you ever have to fire indoors or in a dark parking lot.
Critical Defense is a go-to choice for everyday concealed carry in pocket .380s. It feeds reliably in short-barreled pistols like the Sig P238, Ruger LCP series, and similar subcompacts. The reduced flash powder makes it a practical option for bedside guns as well. If you carry a .380 and want a defensive round that actually expands when it matters, this load has one of the better track records in gel testing through fabric barriers.
- Polymer FTX tip prevents hollow point clogging through heavy clothing barriers
- Low-flash propellant reduces muzzle flash in low-light defensive situations
- Nickel-plated cases for smooth feeding and easy chamber checks in the dark
- Consistent expansion in gel testing even from short 2.8-inch barrels
- 40 fps slower than the Speer Gold Dot .380, producing 16 fewer ft-lbs of energy
- Premium pricing puts it well above practice ammo, making regular training expensive
- The FTX tip adds mechanical complexity compared to a simple JHP design like the Remington HTP
- Slightly longer overall cartridge length can cause feeding issues in a small number of older .380 pistols
All Hornady Critical Defense .380 Auto 90gr FTX Prices
| DEALER | QTY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 500 | $471.60 | $0.00 | $471.60 | $0.94 |
| Sentry Ammo | 500 | $454.22 | $17.99 | $472.21 | $0.94 |
| Black Basin Outdoors | 250 | $253.61 | $0.00 | $253.61 | $1.01 |
| Sentry Ammo | 250 | $240.32 | $13.99 | $254.31 | $1.02 |
| Sentry Ammo | 25 | $27.97 | $11.99 | $39.96 | $1.60 |
Firearms Chambered in .380 Auto
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