Choosing Defensive Ammunition

[dreydin]

good stuff! thanks for the info!


Corbon and Gold Dots it is for me!

[SVThuh]

Originally Posted by retired

Hydra shoks are an outdated round and do not expand well in clothing. Federal makes a much better round: HST. I'd stay away from Hydra shok unless you plan on carrying at a nudist colony.

I understand, but the .38 is the last ditch gun and the Hydrashocks have been sitting around for the past 5 years or so. They are just there, so I load the .38 with em and hope that I never have to test their expansion capabilities.

[loonybin]

Keep in mind this article is at least 8 years old. I remember reading it when I first got my HS2k in 2000.

[Jettubby]

Originally Posted by loonybin

Keep in mind this article is at least 8 years old. I remember reading it when I first got my HS2k in 2000.

Good information is timeless.

[Bearcreek]

So, I just ordered some 12 ga. 2 3/4" Federal LE Hydra-shok slugs... I wonder if these will do OK through clothing? Otherwise it is 230 gr Gold Dot, 147 Gr. Gold Dot and Federal LE 00Buck 2 3/4 Low recoil.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by retired

Hydra shoks are an outdated round and do not expand well in clothing. Federal makes a much better round: HST. I'd stay away from Hydra shok unless you plan on carrying at a nudist colony.

You here this all the time, but it's just an over thought issue. The Hydrshok was THE LEA ammo of it's day. It has perfomred well for more than a decade. Yes there are "better" rounds today but it's not like the HS is going to bounce off a bad guy. FWIW, I've tested them in 9mm & 45acp thru denim & the expand fine, 70cal+. Yes, not as large or jagged as HST but they are still a viable load.

[drawson]

In 380, 9mm, 40, & 45 DPX is my choice. I never done much carrying of wheel gun except an older taurus 3" 44 Spec. In it I've carried 200 gold dots and silver tips.

At a law enforcement range event last summer I had the ATK(federal) guy shot one of my 45ACP DPX into his balistic gel. I was very impressed with the depth and the expansion and the damage the DPX did after it stopped expanding. I was hoping to get my bullet back but the ATK guy kept it. His first thought was a 185g bullet would penetrate enough but after it when 1/2" deeper than the 230 HST, he just kind of stoud there w/ his mouth open.

[Bree]

Originally Posted by drawson

In 380, 9mm, 40, & 45 DPX is my choice. I never done much carrying of wheel gun except an older taurus 3" 44 Spec. In it I've carried 200 gold dots and silver tips.

At a law enforcement range event last summer I had the ATK(federal) guy shot one of my 45ACP DPX into his balistic gel. I was very impressed with the depth and the expansion and the damage the DPX did after it stopped expanding. I was hoping to get my bullet back but the ATK guy kept it. His first thought was a 185g bullet would penetrate enough but after it when 1/2" deeper than the 230 HST, he just kind of stoud there w/ his mouth open.

I have seen several tests where the .45 ACP 185 gr DPX consistently exits 16" blocks. And Corbon has designed it to penetrate that deeply. That makes me nervous about using it in my XD-45C so I confine its use to my .380 (where it is perfect), my .357 Mag, and my AR-15.

I think it is one fine piece of ammunition engineering to be sure.