Kid44
Member
Is the Federal Hydra-Shok designed for self defense or designed as a hunting round?
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Federal Hydra-Shok
- Thread starter Kid44
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Hydra Shok was a Burczynski design intended for defensive uses. For its day it worked pretty well with big expansion vs other designs. By today's standards, it's not all that great although probably still a fair choice in .45acp.
kraynky
Member
Interesting how quickly the advancement in PD has grown. They can't sell new SD ammo if they don't change it. Since I settled on the Hydra-Shok as the reliable and accurate SD ammo for my pistols years ago, and thankfully haven't had the need to use it as such, I don't buy it regularly.
What are they going to sell me if they don't "improve" it and make my current stash obsolete?
I'm still carrying it myself. I reload my range ammo. I did stray from the 9mm a few years ago because I decided that I didn't trust it. The newer 9mm ammo offerings did bring me back into the fold however.
But I don't have anything I can use on Zombies I guess.
What are they going to sell me if they don't "improve" it and make my current stash obsolete?
I'm still carrying it myself. I reload my range ammo. I did stray from the 9mm a few years ago because I decided that I didn't trust it. The newer 9mm ammo offerings did bring me back into the fold however.
But I don't have anything I can use on Zombies I guess.
I use them, ever since they came out with them. Were a wierd shape back then, still have a round of it.
hooksnatcher
Member
I use Hydra-Shok as my "carry" cartridge in my 9mm's, .40's, .357's and my .380. It has been the most reliable in terms of feeding/ejecting in my semi-autos.
Arik
Member
Then why make hydra shock if the older HP were just as good? Or the ones before that? Just drill a hole in the center and it's fine! Basically they don't need to sell new if there is nothing better. How long had GD gone without a change? Here's a change for you....hydra shock jacket and core are not bonded. Bonded bullets retain their mass better. There has been much debate regarding the bullets unreliable expansion when fired through clothing or medias other than ballistic gelatin. In ballistic gelatin, the bullet typically displays very rapid expansion resulting in a larger but more shallow wound channel than would be typical from most other bullet configurations in the same caliber and of similar weight
Hydra Shocks are fine but improvements were made. Better expansion better penetration. Otherwise any chunk of metal in front of powder is just as good.
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ChiefStealth
US Veteran
I still use Hydra-Shok in .45 ACP. So does one local LE dept. I haven't decided on a SD round for 9mm, yet. One other local LE dept. uses Black Talon in 9mm. That's enough cred for me. Sadly, I haven't found any BT at my LGS. I have seen some Fed. HST in 9mm, so I might just start with that and keep looking for the BT.
Makes a fine hunting round too. I once killed a running buck with my Kimber 1911 loaded with Hydrashoks. Connected on the 3rd shot.......Broke left shoulder going in...Complete penetration.....Clipped right leg on exit.........Mr. buck slid to a stop. Its an effective round. Glad they still make it.
ldausmc1369
US Veteran
Ditto! Buck shot 35 yds behind shoulder, through & through..357 mag!
one eye joe
US Veteran
BACK IN THE DAY WHEN IT WAS INTRODUCED, HYDRA-SHOK WAS THE CAT'S MEOW IN SELF DEFENSE AMMO IN .45ACP. THAT IS, IF YOUR 1911 COULD RELIABLY FEED IT. SOME FEED RAMPS HAD DIFFICULTY ACCEPTING THE OGIVE OF THE H-S, AS THEY WERE DESIGNED FOR RNFMJ, 230GR MILITARY BALL AMMO. THE AMMO REMAINS A VIABLE CHOICE TODAY…..
ITS A GOOD HUNTING ROUND FOR THIN SKINNED ANIMALS. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE HOLLOW POINT AMMO ON ANIMALS SUCH AS BOAR OR BEAR, WHERE BONE SMASHING PENETRATION IS DESIRED. THAT TASK IS BEST LEFT TO HEAVY SWC OR FN HARDCAST BULLETS, IMHO…..
ITS A GOOD HUNTING ROUND FOR THIN SKINNED ANIMALS. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE HOLLOW POINT AMMO ON ANIMALS SUCH AS BOAR OR BEAR, WHERE BONE SMASHING PENETRATION IS DESIRED. THAT TASK IS BEST LEFT TO HEAVY SWC OR FN HARDCAST BULLETS, IMHO…..
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Use for Deer???
I gather from the responses that it was primarily a self defense round. Since the .44 Magnum may be a bit much for self defense and that's what mine are for, I may use them for deer, or maybe just take them out and ventilate some cans.
Or better yet, save them until there are none anywhere and someone wants them and sell them for a million dollars.
May not be the most preferred round for deer but since they are so thin skinned I would imagine there won't be a problem.
I gather from the responses that it was primarily a self defense round. Since the .44 Magnum may be a bit much for self defense and that's what mine are for, I may use them for deer, or maybe just take them out and ventilate some cans.
Or better yet, save them until there are none anywhere and someone wants them and sell them for a million dollars.
May not be the most preferred round for deer but since they are so thin skinned I would imagine there won't be a problem.
The Hydro Shok is a defensive round although I have used them in .44 Magnum and .357 magnum to hunt with. Deep penetrators you see. My last Hydro Shok duty round in 9mm was the 124 grain Plus P Plus. Good stuff and I believe the US Marshalls carried it at one time as well with no complaints. I reckon they are still good rounds although mildly dated.
Dated Hydra-Shoks
I'm not sure but I seem to recall that the first generation hydra-shoks needed some tweeting, which was done on subsequent generations of this ammo.
Ammunition is constantly undergoing R&D. It's important to remember that police ammunition needs may differ from CCW needs.
I'm not sure but I seem to recall that the first generation hydra-shoks needed some tweeting, which was done on subsequent generations of this ammo.
Ammunition is constantly undergoing R&D. It's important to remember that police ammunition needs may differ from CCW needs.
Dominus_Lex
Member
I continue to use them in both .40 and .45 never had a feed issue. That said the .38+P feed real well through my Md 37 as well.... They may be "old" but the rounds do not seem to be broken.
OldSquid
Member
I've carried it in all my pistols chambered for .380acp. I've researched a lot of .380 ammo, and Hydra Shoks appear to be the most reliable in terms of expansion and penetration. I also carry a 642, but unfortunately the .38spcl Hydra Shok is a marginal performer. When it comes to my snubby, it's either the FBI Load or the Winchester PDX.
smitret
Member
Hydra-Shok shape
Early H-S .45 had a truncated cone shape which didn't feed well in some guns.
Federal switched to a more rounded ogive that solved any feeding issues.
H-S had pretty good street record from full-size pistols.
I still use it.
YMMV
Good Luck
Early H-S .45 had a truncated cone shape which didn't feed well in some guns.
Federal switched to a more rounded ogive that solved any feeding issues.
H-S had pretty good street record from full-size pistols.
I still use it.
YMMV
Good Luck
kraynky
Member
My little Makarov IJ70 (.380) has been loaded with them for years too. I honestly haven't researched any new ammo for it since I found the HS many years ago. I remove them to practice with the little guy and then load them back up.
(that's my 4040PD hiding under it from when I was comparing sizes)
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walkin' trails
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They were good in their day, and certain loadings such as the 124 gr 9mm +P+ developed pretty decent street creds. That said, there are now better performing rounds in the market. I would use the analogy that the 1860 Colt .44 Army was a great development in its time, but the 1873 Army in .45 Colt 13 years later was a huge leap forward.
