[NG VI]

it doesn't seem to be loaded very hot, only 1170 fps, why isn't it regular +P? or am i wrong and that's actually a good speed?

[wabbles]

Federal does seem to load their +P/+P+ rounds light. They are good rounds though. Just don't expect super hign octane when you see +P+.

[The Bushmaster]

They are designed for self defence and are set for best velocity performance...

[Snowdog]

I also wonder if it's really +P+ in pressure of if it's instead some marketing ploy.

[DENALI]

I just posted on this very topic but a month ago and got very little in the way of educated response. Here goes, Federal P9HS3G1 124gr +P+ Hydra-Shok is only loaded up to 1170fps and about 375fpe and is, at least by company standards a restricted load. The question as I see it is why? You'll find no sammi spec on +P+ because sammi only recognizes +p and considers +P+ to simply be well above spec. But as you've noted, there's plenty of ammunition out there that's much hotter than federal's load. Speer Gold dot in 9mm 124gr +P runs at 1200fps and 400fpe, Remmington Gold Sabre 9mm 124gr +P runs at 1180fps and 383fpe, why even Winchester's 9mm 115gr silvertip runs at 1225fps and 383fpe. Clearly all three are superior to the Federal cartridge load but not restricted to LE only by company decree. Honestly, I've no idea why federal feels compelled to engage in such slight of hand marketing, but for what it's worth I believe that you don't add pressure to a cartridge without adding velocity. Charles Bronson famously said in the movie Death wish"if you're gonna kill roaches, you have to kill them all, otherwise whats the point". So whats the point? Perhaps it's just legalese and Federal just wants to remain on the safe side. Regardless +P+ as a designation has precedent now doesn't it, Winchester RA9TA 127gr 9mm +P+ runs along at 1250 fps and 434fpe and is clearly one of the top loads in that caliber available. Personally, I feel Federal is benefiting from the +P+ stamp while not exposing themselves to the +P+ legal risk.............

[NCHornet]

I have seen the results of 44 Mag Hydrashoks on deer sized game and I am confident they will do the job if I place them correctly. Don't get all hung up on +P or +P+, or ++PP++ or whatever else, much of this is a marketing skeem.
NCH

[DENALI]

Mr. NCHornet, how can you even begin to compare .44mag Hydra-Shok's with 9mm 124gr +P+? Further if it's no big deal, then why does one LEA after another who still deploy's 9mm pistol's opt for the +P or +P+ load? In calibers such as 9mm/.38/.357 velocity is almost always the determining factor.....

[Deacon Blues]

Denali nailed it. There is no +P+ standard, and thus Federal can use the label as they please. Basically, it's higher pressure than their equivalent +P load, and that's all that you can safely assume.

[rcmodel]

+P+ just means the ammo is not loaded to meet SAAMI specs for pistol ammo, because there isn't any standard for +P+.

It means it meets the pressure & performance agreed on by the manufacture and the buying agency who ordered it, in the gun they specified they test it in.
That could have been an MP-5 with a 9" barrel.
Or a 9mm Colt AR with a 16" barrel.

It could be faster then the same companies +P, which does have a SAAMI standard pressure limit, or it could be slower, with just a lot of flash & noise in a pistol length barrel.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[DENALI]

Federal cartridge claims +P+ on there tactical hydra-shok in 124gr. The tested velocity averages were, and are 1170fps from a 4-inch test tube, ditto for both Remmington and Winchester +P and +P+ test barrel claims. This by itself destroy's the longer barrel hypothosis, however most LEA's issue or allow the carry of 3.9-5-inch duty length pistol barrel's. There can be no confusion, few LEO's ever handle let alone deploy sub-guns and as such these loads are often not recomended for them, see WW own warning on the back of any box of RA9TA. These loads are developed expressly for use in duty length pistol's!