Federal Hydra Shok vs. Federal HST?

5740 Views 13 Replies 12 Participants Last post by hsvhobbit, Jan 9, 2006

ShooterJD

Discussion Starter · Dec 25, 2005 (Edited)

I have been using Federal Hydra Shok .45 acp ammo as my duty ammo as a Pa. State Constable for the past 2 years. As a Constable we must supply all of our own equipment. I would like to know if anyone has used the new Federal HST ammo in .45 acp. I will have to qualify early in 2006 and the ammo used then must be carried on duty. When we shoot, 25 yards is the farthest distance we must qualify at. I am mainly interested in the accuracy and of course stopping power of the HST round. In case any one is interested my main duty gun is a Kimber Eclipse with an internal extractor and my second gun should I need to replace the first is a Kimber Eclipse but with the dreaded external extractor. Both guns run great no problems. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks, ShooterJD

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Chuck S

· #2 · Dec 25, 2005

Good luck finding a defination of stopping power!

You can find much data on the web on the penetration and expansion of different cartridges from different length barrels. Minimum of 12" penetration is paramount. Reliable expansion is next on the list. Locate the data for your barrel length.

Here's a good place to start: Portland Police Department 2002 Ammunition Report

-- Chuck

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Cameron

· #3 · Dec 25, 2005

Apparently the Hydra Shok was the best thing since sliced bread back in the 80's. Since then there have been advancements in hollow point design and construction. Better designed bullets are the Federal Tactical HST and Bonded, Winchester Ranger T-Series, Speer Gold Dots, and Remington Golden Sabers.

However, if my .45 was loaded with Hydra-Shoks I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

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dldarrow

· #4 · Dec 25, 2005

ShooterJD said:
I have been using Federal Hydra Shok .45 acp ammo as my duty ammo as a Pa. State Constable for the past 2 years. As a Constable we must supply all of our own equipment. I would like to know if anyone has used the new Federal HST ammo in .45 acp.
In case any one is interested my main duty gun is a Kimber Eclipse with an internal extractor and my second gun should I need to replace the first is a Kimber Eclipse but with the dreaded external extractor. Both guns run great no problems. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks, ShooterJD

Federal has HST1+P and HST2 which is standard pressure. We have been shooting the HST1+p for awhile now. It is one of the best, if not the best in ballistic testing using the FBI protocol. It will however prematurely age your gun. We have been breaking guns and magazines with a steady diet of the +P. Kimbers fared especially poorly in the breakage department. I am in the process of suggesting that we, the full time SWAT unit on our department, switch to ball ammo for training, but keep the +P for operational use.

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special-ed

· #5 · Dec 25, 2005

I have noticed the Federal Hydra Shok 230 gr. is getting hard to find,
Anyone know a supplier for this ammo that I can buy a quantity of it?
Any one know if they are still manufacturing Hydra Shok 230 gr.?

My suggestion is stick with what you have been using.

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kaltesherz

· #6 · Dec 26, 2005

I just started shooting HST +P's in my Kimber and it's been fine so far, what kind of parts are failing? And at what round count? I doubt I'll be putting that many +P rounds through it, but it'd like to look for any increased wear. The new HST's look like they have alot of potential, but they're really too new to know...

-Alex

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fecmech

· #7 · Dec 29, 2005

Has anyone chrono'd the Fed HST 230 gr .45 ammo? In that Portland test link By Chuck the HST for .45's was showing approx 650 fps! If that in fact is the case one would think it would be great defensive ammo, very light recoil with excellent expansion and penetration. That does'nt square with dldarrow's post about being tough on guns. Anyone know the real numbers on that ammo?? Nick

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Lt. Commander

· #8 · Dec 29, 2005

www.ammoman.com

Scott

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WmCC

· #9 · Jan 2, 2006

Hello,

Unfortunately the .40 cal, 165g HST that we tested plugged completely and failed to expand, (10/10), when fired through four layers of denim. The equivelent Ranger T's and Gold Dots did fine.
We will be testing the .45 cal offerings soon. I hope that they do better.

Regards,
Bill

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Rob96

· #10 · Jan 3, 2006

special-ed said:
I have noticed the Federal Hydra Shok 230 gr. is getting hard to find,
Anyone know a supplier for this ammo that I can buy a quantity of it?
Any one know if they are still manufacturing Hydra Shok 230 gr.?

My suggestion is stick with what you have been using.

Still being made. I can go into any shop around me and get it.

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Obiwan

· #11 · Jan 6, 2006

Federal has made noises about discontinuing them

But there are so many people that still buy them that they may have dragged their feet.

They are definitley old technology.....modern hollowpoints perform much better

The HS have a real problem through denim

FBI testing with the post removed performed the sam e(not real good) as whole bullets.

They were very hi tech....20 years ago

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Rob96

· #12 · Jan 7, 2006

Even still, gel isn't peole. You still see reports where the Hydrashoks that have been used in deadly force encounters are perfroming very well.

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special-ed

· #13 · Jan 7, 2006

I e-mailed Federal customer service and inquired if they are still produced, but got no reply.
They may be old technology, but so is the 1911 I shoot them with

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hsvhobbit

· #14 · Jan 9, 2006

Old doesn't mean ineffective. Hydrashock is still my carry ammo. It shoots well and works in my weapons. That said, I just bought a few boxes from ammoman.com and there was certainly no issue with availability.

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