New HST .38 Special?

[JayFramer]

Anyone try out the new Federal HST .38 special defense loads?

Gel tests seem very compelling. As good if not better penetration than my favored Speer Gold Dot short barrel load but with considerably greater and consistent expansion characteristics. Impressive. Features a rather unique design where the bullet is loaded below the case mouth, supposed to make for more consistent pressures and velocities.

But those rounds sure look like they’d be tricky during reloads, don’t they? I imagine the sharp corners would easily slow down reloading. What do you guys think? Anyone experience issues during reloads with this cartridge? I use Bianchi speed strips and wonder how well they’d feed into the charge holes when seconds count...

Thoughts?

 

[ContinentalOp]

No experience with that ammo. While I don't necessarily believe in the need for lightning-fast reloads, I do think it's better to have as smooth and fumble-free reloads as possible. It's certainly feasible to carry the HST load in the gun and another load with a more rounded shape as your reload(s).

You could always try reloading with 148gr target WC if you have any handy and see how that works out. Or, alternatively, you could try reloading with empty cases.

 

[zzclancy]

More than likely it with be the first 5 or 6 just like wadcutters. I use Buffalo Bore Wadcutters in both 44 Special and 38 Special. Reloads are with Buffalo Bore Barnes Hollow Points. In 44 Special I also carry wadcutter with a tuff strips.

They look interesting but at this point I'm stick with Buffalo Bore wadcutters.

 

[zzclancy]

Lucky gunner gel test.

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kXxbVP1mwGk[/ame]

 

[Nevada Ed]

You can try reloading test with the HST and also a 158gr Lwsc
that has a tapered nose.

If you can load the HST faster than the swc bullets you will know
which load should be your backup loading.

I have yet to load a full WC design ( BB/HBWC) faster than a SWC design
since just one off center case will stall a reload where the pointer
SWC will generally wiggle enough to fit in my cylinder.

Have fun.

 

[les.b]

Just when I think I'm up to date on something, someone comes along and pulls the rug out from under me!! I had never even seen these before.

I have sworn by the Speer 135 gr short barrel gold dot loads in both the .38 and .357. But they are often difficult to find, and are pretty expensive.

I'll have to see if I can find some of these new rounds and take a look at them.

Thanks for the heads up!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[hkcavalier]

I carry these and have shot them. Of course, no "real world" experience but let's hope it never comes to that.

Reloads are way down the list of importance. Their ballistic performance carries a lot more weight with me. We've all seen the studies...first guy to put a good bullet in an important place wins the firefight.

 

[riverrat38]

I load these in both of my carry revolvers; a M442 and a 3inch M60.
I carry BB 158 gr Keith plus P Outdoorsman rounds in my speed loaders. I did this even when I carried the Speer GDSB in my revolvers. If the expanding ammo didn't get the job done in 5 shots, it's time to try something different. When I am on the trail, I swap what's in the cylinder with the Outdoorsman rounds.
I have found the HST ammo at my LGS and Walmart. About the same price as the Speer SB.
My thinking is that if the hollow points don't expand, I would rather that they were Wadcutters than JHP's.
The HST seems to have a little less recoil in my Airweight than the Speer SB, even though they are both rated plus P.

Best,
Rick

 

[rwsmith]

Would it help...

I see that the shoulder of the bullet is slightly rounded. Would it help if they let the bullet protrude from the end of the casing about 1/8" and held in a crimp groove for faster reloading?

Also, can the mouth of the chambers in a revolver be chamfered at all to facilitate faster reloading? It seems as long as the rim was held firmly a little chamfer wouldn't hurt.

 

[stansdds]

Most revolver chambers can be lightly chamfered without compromising rim and casehead support.

 

[Bronco89]

I've considered them myself. I don't carry a reload, but I should. I have speed loaders, I just don't bother carrying them. But the thought that they would reload slowly is something to think about. I went with PDX-1 in my snubby, and my wife went with teh 110gr Hornady Critical Defence. But the new Federal HST came close to going home with me. Reminds me of a backwards LHBWC only jacketed. Interesting.

 

[JayFramer]

Most revolver chambers can be lightly chamfered without compromising rim and casehead support.

Aye! Been thinking if doing that to a J frame would help with reloading using speed strips...

 

[Amp]

I shot and reloaded very many full wadcutters years back.
Don't remember having issues loading the model 66 I had then.
And I did use Bianchi strips as speed loaders were bulky.
Try em on the range and see if you agree.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

I keep my LCR loaded with the HST and Golden Sabers in a speed strip for easier reloading.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZsber37rKU[/ame]

 

[Borderboss]

I looked at them but opted for the Remington Golden Saber 125 +P round. The Lucky Gunner results are almost identical and the ammo is crazy cheap at Outdoor Limited. Something under $9 for a box of 25.

 

[Mercs]

How does the Ranger +p 130gr bonded rate compared to this? That is what I always thought was best and used, but I haven’t carried a revolver in awhile


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lrrifleman]

I have looked at the new Federal Micro HST, and on paper, I like what I see. When I am out-of-state and legal to carry, I like the idea of the new HST.

When I carry a wheelgun, it is a 36-6. I am adhering to my 7 yard threat zone. Fortunately, I have not had to present an arm in anger, but my belief is that if I have to engage a threat with all 5 rounds within that 21 foot zone, I won't have a chance to reload. The only "reload" that could work within those constraints would be a New York reload.

I see two major benefits to the Micro HST: when fired into media, it expands to about .71, and replicating a practice reload with inverted 148gr HBWC should be easy. When I carry the Micro HST, I plan to carry Hornady Critical Defense ammo in a speedloader.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The 135 vs 130 with the M638 in the cooler and bullets in ice water
was an eye opener.

The 130 was a winner, even with a very slow 718fps out of the snub nose
that STILL had the bullet doing very well on penetration and expansion !!

Might be a good winter SD load........?

 

[Flyingfool]

At local Cabela’s they have this HST round except it is labeled at 150 grains, which struck me as odd since I had not been aware of this at anything other than 130 grain.

Expansion in gel with this bullet is impressive.

Except that when shooting at a human center of mass, the odds of hitting a bone is greater than 50% rather than soft “gel” tissue. Between the ribs which cover about 50% of the area, plus the solid sternum when aiming center of mass, the chances of hitting bone is real and significant.

I would love to see what kind of penetration these HST has after hitting a bone!

I wonder if a soft enough bullet to expand so easily in soft gel, would simply splatter and have virtually no penetration after the likely event of hitting bone.

Out of a snubby, and the relatively low velocity. Penetration seems to be very important to me. Unlike a 357 out of a 4 or longer inch barrel, I doubt “over penetration” is an issue. Even with hard cast lead from 38 at 850 or less velocity. Yet pretty assured of smashing a bone and still getting penetration to continue on to hit the vitals and cause massive blood loss.

Just my thinking.

 

[JayFramer]

The 135 vs 130 with the M638 in the cooler and bullets in ice water
was an eye opener.

The 130 was a winner, even with a very slow 718fps out of the snub nose
that STILL had the bullet doing very well on penetration and expansion !!

Might be a good winter SD load........?

What do you mean by 130 and 135?