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Other than $3 a box, what's the difference? Is one really superior to the other?

Hydrashok is a nearly twenty year old bullet design where as HST is Federal's most recent and "current" offering to the LE market. Both are designed to provide reliable feeding in most weapon systems and consistent expansion in tests conducted under FBI protocols. Aside from being the newer bullet, the HST is said to live up to the hype of superior performance versus the older Hydra-shok.

I have a stock of HST and it does feed more consistently and smoother than Hydra-shok in both of my Gov't Model 1911's as well as my .40S&W Glocks. Accuracy and recoil between both bullets was close enough that I wouldn't say one was better in that department. I don't do newspaper or gelatin testing and I fortunately haven't had the need to test terminal ballistics so I can't offer a comment there beyond say Federal claims the HST is MUCH better.

Well, that's encouraging, since the HST is the cheaper of the two offerings.

KC5AV wrote:Well, that's encouraging, since the HST is the cheaper of the two offerings.

I use federal HST LE Tactical 230Gr +P .45 in my Baby Eagle. I get them from http://www.ammunitiontogo.com for about 23.95 for a box of 50. I think they have the best price going.

Yeah, that's where I just ordered a box of the 165gr. .40S&W from. I'm going to test it out next time I'm at the range. If my gun likes it, I'm going to probably order about 500 rounds of it.

KC5AV wrote:Yeah, that's where I just ordered a box of the 165gr. .40S&W from. I'm going to test it out next time I'm at the range. If my gun likes it, I'm going to probably order about 500 rounds of it.

I usually recieve my order in about 3 days. They are very fast in getting the orders out. I have been very pleased with them so far. Even with the shipping and sales tax I make out like a bandit compared to what academy is selling boxes of 20 for.

Would there be any real advantage in getting the bonded version of the HST? It's a few dollars more expensive. Is it worth it?

mdek wrote:Would there be any real advantage in getting the bonded version of the HST? It's a few dollars more expensive. Is it worth it?

If you work in high risk environments and expect to routinely be put in a position where you might have to shoot through automotive glass, autmotive steel body panels, sheetrock, plywood, or other such obstructions, then may be the bonded HP is a worthy investment. Most of us regular folks won't be able to appreciate the difference because regular bullets penetrate all those barriers just fine with plenty of energy to put people down. It's probably worth noting that there are a lot of DRT suspects who were shot through all those barriers with plain JHP and "ball" ammo.

It sounds like a good round to carry so does anyone have a picture of the two rounds as I carry a alum.framed gun and any round that had a sharp profile nose seems to dig in to the ramp and make a ruff spot. I am looking for a new round to replace the Win. Ranger as its getting harder to find.

Thanks in advance for any help

Doc

Texasdoc wrote:It sounds like a good round to carry so does anyone have a picture of the two rounds as I carry a alum.framed gun and any round that had a sharp profile nose seems to dig in to the ramp and make a ruff spot. I am looking for a new round to replace the Win. Ranger as its getting harder to find.

Thanks in advance for any help

Doc

I hope this helps. Sorry for the picture quality.

thank you for post the pictures, that helps a lot in making the choice, I need to found rounds that don't have sharp edges that dig in to the Alum. feed ramp.

Again Thanks for your help.

Doc

I wonder how they would compare to the Hornady TAP FPD .230g? These work well in my Ruger, and Ive never had one ftf.

G.C.Montgomery wrote:If you work in high risk environments and expect to routinely be put in a position where you might have to shoot through automotive glass, autmotive steel body panels, sheetrock, plywood, or other such obstructions, then may be the bonded HP is a worthy investment.

If you expect to routinely be put in a position where you might have to shoot, period, you might be better off putting that money into 00 buckshot...and 12ga slugs for the heavier barrier situations. Some things just aren't meant to be done with handguns.

KD5NRH wrote:

G.C.Montgomery wrote:If you work in high risk environments and expect to routinely be put in a position where you might have to shoot through automotive glass, autmotive steel body panels, sheetrock, plywood, or other such obstructions, then may be the bonded HP is a worthy investment.

If you expect to routinely be put in a position where you might have to shoot, period, you might be better off putting that money into 00 buckshot...and 12ga slugs for the heavier barrier situations. Some things just aren't meant to be done with handguns.

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 3&p=161836


While I don't disagree, my comment was specific to handguns because sometimes handguns are all you will have for immediate use when working in those environments. Police officers working traffic or regular patrol come to mind.

With respect to law enforcement, interviewing people on the street while keeping a long gun in a high state of readiness without creating the unwanted perception of a threat to the party you are interviewing is a difficult prospect. There are times that this is acceptable but most of the time, it's not...At least not in this country. A holstered handgun allows you to speak at conversational distances and still readily deploy a weapon if needed.

Think about it...When officers interview subjects and/or suspects on the street while employing long guns, the officer conducting interviews at conversational distances rarely has a long gun in his hands or even slung over his shoulder. The long gun is usually in the hands of another officer at a distance that allows the second officer to stand off and easily see his partner, the "interviewie" and any potential threats long before his parter can react.

Personally, if I knew I was going to have to shoot through all that stuff, I'd have a proper .30cal rifle. I like to be able to shoot through things...This is why my primary long arm is an FN-FAL clone rather than an AR15 or even a shotgun.