Range report: Federal HST 38+p 130gr and S&W 442

[yep380]

For the past several years, my goto carry round in 38 has been Remington Golden Saber 125gr +p. The Golden Saber did pretty well in the Lucky Gunner tests (https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/), they're widely available and relatively inexpensive. The recoil with the Golden Saber in an airweight is stout - you don't want to shoot a lot of these.

I've been intrigued by the Federal HST 38+p 130gr Micro since they were introduced. I've always liked wadcutter style bullets. In fact, most of my reloading of 38 cal these days is with wadcutters. Also, I carry 9mm 124gr HST (non +p) in my GLOCKs.

I finally saw the HST Micro 38 cal version for sale at a local Walmart and bought a box. After seeing several tests on them (including a Lucky Gunner test), I decided that I'd carry them if they shot well in my 442.

I went to the range today to test for aim and function (I knew they'd function, more to see where they hit). I shot from 7 yards, two-handed standing at a comfortable pace (not slow fire, but not rushed). In the first attached target you can see they grouped well. The top three holes were the first three shots... then I started pushing a bit and the low two shots are the result.

I then shot with my reload wadcutters, and the next two targets are the those. I put 100 rounds of my wadcutters through the gun and called it a day at the range.

The recoil on the HST was NOT bad at all. I think Federal really hit a home run with these rounds. They have done well in all the tests I've seen online, they group well and the recoil very manageable.

I came home, cleaned up the 442 and stoked the cylinders with 5 fresh Federal HST 38+p 130gr. Found my new carry round.

 

[jwk]

Is that a HBWC loaded upside down?

 

[yep380]

Is that a HBWC loaded upside down?

People online have described it as such.

If you look at it closely though, you'll see that it has pre-cut pedals and is manufactured like that. It's not an upside down hollow base wadcutter.

 

[4306]

Pre scored Full jacket.

 

[yep380]

One thing about the federal hst rounds; they aren't easy to load with a speed strip or speedloader. If you carry a reload (and of course you should), fill it with a round nose hollow point bullet such as the golden saber.

 

[GeoJelly]

Good review and good photos - Thanks! I’ve bought two boxes of these and have pretty much switched over in my revolvers. I especially like the lone bullet photo - i’ve been too cheap to pull a bullet on dollar-a-round ammo!

 

[yep380]

Good review and good photos - Thanks! I’ve bought two boxes of these and have pretty much switched over in my revolvers. I especially like the lone bullet photo - i’ve been too cheap to pull a bullet on dollar-a-round ammo!

Yeah, they ain't cheap. I shot 5 to confirm where the hit with my gun. That's one thing that's nice about a carry revolver; you don't need to run 100 rounds of a particular ammo through it to confirm it cycles.

I'll pick up another box at some point just to have 'em. I don't plan on shooting many of 'em.