[rebbryan]

Handgun- 9 mm semi-automatic Third Generation double action Smith & Wesson with decocking lever/device.

Ammunition- Caliber 9mm 147 grain Federal Hydra Shok


i read quarterboner's(?) post about his bullets not expanding right from his barrel in his shooting and was wondering if the hydras would expand reliably from the S&W mentioned above.

[DonGlock26]

IMHO- Hydrashoks are an older JHP design. The post can aid clothing in clogging the bullet tip and turn it into ball ammo. There are better S.D. loads on the market i.e.- Speer Golddots(easy to find) and Winchester RangerT(hard to find). I prefer the 9mm 147gr for added penetration.

[cratz2]

I think of the major HP designs, the HydraShoks expand about the least reliably and I would imagine the 147 Gr 9mms would be among the very worst. But they almost always provide ample penetration.

I think that the Gold Dots, Winchester Rangers and Remington Golden Sabers are among the top choices these days.

[9mmepiphany]

i try to avoid the heavier 9mm bullets and usually shoot 115gr - 124gr stuff. we just started issuing the ranger sxt 127+p and it seems very accurate without giving up too much speed. it is always going to be a trade off between speed (more reliable expansion) and penetration.

i don't worry much about tailoring loads to the gun until the barrels get below 4".