New Federal HST 9MM 147 +p

[Broadside]

Has anyone tried the new Federal HST 9MM 147 +P's?

A friend and I just put in a order for 500 rnds each plus some for his dad.

[hotpig]

I had some in stock last year but it sold fast. I did not shoot any but the performance should be equal or close to the standard pressure 147gr.

[pleasantguywhopacksAXD]

I shoot them in my sc and it luvs em. Good round!

[nikon777]

The +P HST is really just to satisfy people/departments looking for +P. It really offers no real advantage in terms of performance. If you look at the spec sheets for standard vs. +P you'll see no real significant increase. I'm told due to the design of the bullet, adding any significant increase in velocity can actually harm the expansion, causing it to over expand to a point where the pedals fold over onto themselves, thus not forming the nice star shaped expanded round.

[pleasantguywhopacksAXD]

Originally Posted by nikon777

The +P HST is really just to satisfy people/departments looking for +P. It really offers no real advantage in terms of performance. If you look at the spec sheets for standard vs. +P you'll see no real significant increase. I'm told due to the design of the bullet, adding any significant increase in velocity can actually harm the expansion, causing it to over expand to a point where the pedals fold over onto themselves, thus not forming the nice star shaped expanded round.

I would agree in 4 to 5 inch barrels that is true. In the 3 inch sc the added velocity is more critical. In terms of velocity the 3 inch will have 100 fps less than the 4 and 200+ fps less that the 5 inch.

Almost all ammo is chrono'd out of a 5 inch barrel at the manufacturer.

This is where some hand loaders experimenting would help us. I would like to know what the absolute minimum velocity it takes to expand the HST projectiles in each weight. Unfortunatley Federal isn't selling projectiles only/

[hotpig]

New ammo like HST is not as velocity dependant as old hp bullets.l I would not expect any more performance out of the +P than you would get from the standard pressure. Even in a compact gun.

Thanks to modern design I think that we have crest the hill on hp ammo. The +P is more for guys that like the added recoil for fun.

[Joeywhat]

I used the 147gr +P HST's, in fact I just finished them off on my last trip to the range. Today I bought some XTP & TAP, but only to try them out. Unless I can find either of them at the same as HST, I'll go back to the HST.

Every articel I've read/seen praises the HST, and they look like they expand VERY well in photos.

Also, since I don't believe the +P's don't cost much more (if at all) then the standard pressure, why not use them? It's certainly not hurting anything if you're using a short bbl gun.

[Broadside]

Well guess what just showed up.... Love Ammo to Go.. Here is the order I'm splitting with my friend. 500 rnds on the left are mine plus 100 right. These are for the two carry guns XD9 SC and Kahr PM 9.

The other 9MM's get standard ammo. If the 147 Gr HST +P ammo performes as expected I may sell off my XD 357 or convert it to 9MM.

This will add to the existing stock of 300 Federal HST 124 Gr +P and 200 Federal HST 147 gr. Not counting gold dots or other JHPs ect... I'm heading to Utah for the 4th of July and will give you a range report when I get back.

Left 1,000 rnds Federal HST 147 +P
Right 500 rnds Federal HST 124

[nikon777]

Originally Posted by Broadside

Well guess what just showed up.... Love Ammo to Go.. Here is the order I'm splitting with my friend. 500 rnds on the left are mine plus 100 right. These are for the two carry guns XD9 SC and Kahr PM 9.

The other 9MM's get standard ammo. If the 147 Gr HST +P ammo performes as expected I may sell off my XD 357 or convert it to 9MM.

This will add to the existing stock of 300 Federal HST 124 Gr +P and 200 Federal HST 147 gr. Not counting gold dots or other JHPs ect... I'm heading to Utah for the 4th of July and will give you a range report when I get back.

Left 1,000 rnds Federal HST 147 +P
Right 500 rnds Federal HST 124

I'm jealous.

[loonybin]

Every articel I've read/seen praises the HST, and they look like they expand VERY well in photos.

Yes, yes they do...
9mm 124gr +p fired into 1gal milk jugs filled with water at 5yds:


The standard 124gr HST that I had expanded to .77in. Once my +p stash is gone, I'll be going back to the standard 124gr. Less muzzle flip and more expansion.

Also, since I don't believe the +P's don't cost much more (if at all) then the standard pressure, why not use them? It's certainly not hurting anything if you're using a short bbl gun.

Except the increased muzzle flip and longer return to target time (slower double taps)...