Davinman
Member
I have been given a bunch of 9mm 147gr hydrashok ammo, and was wondering how effective it is for self defense as opposed to other loads. They'll be used in a Ruger LC9s, or a CZ75, thanks for any info you folks can give me.
Rate 9mm 147gr. Federal Hydrashok ammo
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Arik
Member
What Brasky said. If you got it for free it's not bad but the newer stuff is better
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JK-linux
Member
I remember Hydra Shok being very popular in the 1990's, as well as 147gr ammo becoming more prevalent. From what I understand, it's been tweaked and improved over time. Assuming it's reliable in your guns, I'd imagine if you shot an aggressor with it in the right places, there's about as good a chance he'd stop as with most other 147gr 9mm rounds.
I agree with the three post...........
It was the top of the line SD ammo ten years ago, that passed
all the needed test to prove it would fill the bill.
There is nothing wrong with this ammo....................
just that the new HST bullet is so pretty, when you look at the
huge expansion, of "The New" bullet design by Federal.
It was the top of the line SD ammo ten years ago, that passed
all the needed test to prove it would fill the bill.
There is nothing wrong with this ammo....................
just that the new HST bullet is so pretty, when you look at the
huge expansion, of "The New" bullet design by Federal.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
That right there sums it up. In general the Hydrashok bullet is/was good but the HST bullet is better when it comes to Federal ammo. The Speer Gold Dot bullet is better too and maybe the Winchester Defender line too.
TAC
Member
Don't rule out the 9mm Remington Golden Saber 147 gr.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvLvVONAiAg[/ame]
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvLvVONAiAg[/ame]
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Are the Golden Saber bullets still suffering from jacket separation? Of the older bullets out there still available in SD ammo I always likes Winchester Silvertip ammo but not Remington Golden Saber ammo.
I still carry Silvertips in several cartridges at times.
I still carry Silvertips in several cartridges at times.
TAC
Member
The jacket separation is discussed in the video above, but not from a viewpoint that it is necessarily a bad thing. There is also a bonded version of the Golden Saber as well.
iPac
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The Hydra-Shoks are good ammo will serve SD purposes. However, the newer HST rounds are the absolute best in my eyes. I have posted this before but will do so again. The only other bullet I would consider on the same field as the HST is Winchester's equivalent, the Ranger or whatever they call it now.
I tested 9mm HP ammo a while back. I used GoldDots, HST, Golden Saber, and other cheaper HP bullets. The HST were the only bullets to fully expand NO MATTER WHAT. The GoldDots really let me down compared to the hype they have, and the Golden Sabers were just poor.
I keep my 9mms full of 124gr. +P HST rounds. Sadly Federal never adopted the HST bullet over into revolver cartridges. So in my 38spl and 357mag conceal carry revolvers I use 147gr. +P Hydra-Shoks, 147gr +P+ Hydra-Shoks, both are 38spl rounds, or 140gr XTP home brews which are 357mag.
Here is a pic of the HST round after firing. They expand like this consistently!!!
I tested 9mm HP ammo a while back. I used GoldDots, HST, Golden Saber, and other cheaper HP bullets. The HST were the only bullets to fully expand NO MATTER WHAT. The GoldDots really let me down compared to the hype they have, and the Golden Sabers were just poor.
I keep my 9mms full of 124gr. +P HST rounds. Sadly Federal never adopted the HST bullet over into revolver cartridges. So in my 38spl and 357mag conceal carry revolvers I use 147gr. +P Hydra-Shoks, 147gr +P+ Hydra-Shoks, both are 38spl rounds, or 140gr XTP home brews which are 357mag.
Here is a pic of the HST round after firing. They expand like this consistently!!!
TAC
Member
These debates are never ending!
The best expansion doesn't always equate to the best choice. The more a bullet expands, the less it penetrates. There are so many variables, and unknowns, there is no one perfect solution.
These debates are never ending!
The best expansion doesn't always equate to the best choice. The more a bullet expands, the less it penetrates. There are so many variables, and unknowns, there is no one perfect solution.
Hst has consistent penetration in addition to the expansion. A winner in my book
ContinentalOp
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My opinion is that so long as the ammo is reliable in your gun(s) and you can shoot it well, it should perform adequately. Yes, more recent ammo, like the HST, is more likely to perform better. If I were buying SD ammo, I'd probably start with HST or Gold Dots, but I probably wouldn't turn down free Hydrashocks.
ContinentalOp
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Luckgunner did an extensive test on many JHP rounds. As you can see from the link, the 147 grain Hydra Shoks performed very poorly when it comes to expansion. Personally I would use the ammo for practice and carry one of the HST rounds.
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm
I''L CHIME IN HERE. OVER THE YEARS I'VE SEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE SHOT WITH THE 147GR HYDRA-SHOK. IT WORKED FINE. YES SAW, NOT HEARD ABOUT, READ ABOUT OR ANYTHING ELSE; SAW. SHOT PLACEMENT IS KEY, BUT A WELL DESIGNED BULLET DOES HELP. JP
This is timely with Valentine's Day approaching!
How to turn hollow point bullets into a flowering flower pot
scooter123
Member
I carry with the 147 grain HST in my LC9s and one distinct positive for this weight in my pistol is that the sights seem to be regulated for a 147 grain bullet. BTW, determined that my doing some testing with commercial 115 and 124 grain 9mm and both weights shot low. Ordered some 147 grain RN plated bullets from Extreme and the sights were dead on perfect just like when I tested some of the HST for function. Now I need to order some more of the 147 grain bullets because I already know that the 900 I have left won't be enough, while it has some snap to it I've found the LC9s to be a fun shooter and quite accurate when you aren't using a lot of holdover.
BTW, at this point I have a bit more than 700 rounds downrange and have not had one single failure of any description with the LC9s.
BTW, at this point I have a bit more than 700 rounds downrange and have not had one single failure of any description with the LC9s.
elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
My former next door neighbor gave me 147 grain HydraShoks on a regular basis whenever his agency had qualifications. It would nosedive in my daughter's KelTec P11 without fail. It worked great in my brother's KelTec Sub2000 Glock magazine version.
My daughter loads standard pressure 115 grain Winchester Silvertips in he P11.
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My daughter loads standard pressure 115 grain Winchester Silvertips in he P11.
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