federal +p+ hi-shok 9mm good?

[DENALI]

I have posted elsewhere on this site about the federal 124gr tactical hydra-shok and it's +P+ marking and designation, it being loaded to just 1170fps and 375fpe I find that it is in all probability a BS claim by federal when compared to other +P+ 9mm ammunition, as to 9BPLE it is driven to 1300fps and therefore falls into or actually out of sammi specs. Thus the +P+ designation is a reasonable claim. How any 9mm round loaded to 1170fps be claimed as +P+ is beyond me......

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

The federal 9mm bp and bple was developed for the Border Patrol. It has a proven track record in the std. loading or the le loading.

 

[Blue Brick]

I couldn’t help myself, I just ordered 2 boxes. $41.65 to my door

 

[DWARREN123]

Remember +P and +P+ is pressure ratings only, it does not have to do with FPS or penetration.
Seems to be a good price.

 

[The Ruckus]

Ok so if over-pressuring doesn't boost velocity then what does it do?

 

[jon_in_wv]

It has to do with PRESSURE. If the particular powder used burns quickly pressure will pike quickly and drop off quickly which may not equate to as much of a velocity boost as the extra pressure would suggest. The Federal Hydra-shock is a good example where the +p+ only seems to run about 50fps faster than the standard pressure stuff. Not worth it in my book. The 9BPLE on the other hand runs pretty fast at 1300fps and has a pretty good track record. I like that stuff much better.

As a note: Just because its an older design doesn't mean it is somehow less effective or lethal than it was when it was a new design. That doesn't even make sense but I keep hearing people say it. Bullet technology has produced good reliable expanding bullets for newer loading but that doesn't mean that 9BP and Hydra-shoks will now somehow just bounce off of you because the design is too old or that people have somehow changed in composition so that it won't work on "new" people. You can take a 100 year old gun, load with a 100 year old lead bullet, and kill someone dead with it just like you could back then.

 

[DerbyDale]

Hydra-Shock is an outdated an very ineffective round (when compared to todays offerings). I don't know why people still keep buying this stuff when there are much better choices available. :banghead:

The problem that plagues the Hydra-Shock is that it is plugged easily (from clothing), preventing proper expansion. Without proper expansion, the Hydra-Shock becomes little more than expensive FMJ rounds.

Because of this, Federal went back to the drawing board and came up with the HST line, which does not suffer from these problems and has excellent expansion and penetration capabilities.

EDIT:
Will Hydra-Shocks still kill someone today, yes. So will regular FMJ rounds or a even a little .22. What we are talking about is; Whats most effective in stopping a threat as quickly as possible, and thus increasing your chances of surviving a bad situation. Remember the 1986 FBI Miami shootout where the BG took multiple rounds of 9mm, and he was still able to fight back killing agents. It has been proven that the lack of proper expansion and penitration can cost you your life.

 

[BushyGuy]

Hydra-shok is one of the best SD even if its outdated technology it sure beats FMJ in one shot stopping power. i have soem 9mm 147 gr hydra-shok for my 9mm and 147 gr gdhp they are both very effective manstoppers. i carry hornady 124gr TAP CQ in right now for my carry ammo in my 9mm

 

[Cpt. America]

Great ammo.

 

[BikerRN]

posted by hotpig:

If you are a jello junkie than this ammo and the Winchester Ranger 115+P+ ammo are a big failure. If you go by actual street shootings both the Federal and Ranger 115+P+ were top dogs for many years.

This ammo has street credibility and has proven its worth my times over in the LE community. The price is not fabulous but no ammo is anymore.

In my off duty 9mm I have the Federal 9BPLE.

It was the 9mm Border Patrol load that has put felons down for years without a problem. It worked then, so I fail to see why it won't work now. Having the latest and greatest ammo is great, if you can get resupplied with it. I can't get enough Corbon 115 Grain +P DPX to fill my magazines. I can get the 9BPLE by the case, so that's what I buy.

BTW: IIRC Dekalb County still uses this load even though Federal has downgraded it to a "Training" load. I train with what I shoot, so it makes sense to me to carry this ammo.

The 9BP load has also worked well for years and a friend of mine who has had to use the load IRL has had no qualms about how it functions inside a felon's body. In fact I believe he still carries that load in his 9mm, but mostly carries a .40 these days, as do I.

My issue gun at work is a 9mm. The last time I checked it was loaded with the Federal 9BP. I just like the 9BPLE off duty, but would have no problems carrying the duty load, 9BP, in my personal guns if I had to.

Don't be swayed by gelatin and charts. Find what works on the street and use that. Also, make sure you can get a ready supply of it for training. For me that means buying cases of older technology sometimes. No bullet is going to do you any good if you can't put it where it needs to go.

BikerRN

 

[WC145]

I carry 9BPLE on and off duty. Shoots good in my guns, very accurate and reliable. I trust it will do the job for me if I need it to, it has a great track record with numerous depts/agencies.

 

[2ndamd]

I have an article written by Sanow that shows the Federal 9BPLE 115 grn +p+ to be 93% one shot stop in over 400 shootings.

Great ammo for self defense against humans.

 

[rklessdriver]

Federal 9BPLE is the carry load in in all my 9mm pistols.

I have found the round bullet profile of the "Classic Hi-ShoK" feeds reliabally in about any gun that will feed 9mm ball.

Like others have said, the street results are the real deal and speak for themselves.
Will

 

[Browns Fan]

I am surprised that no one has yet mentioned the Federal HST's. I've heard nothing but great things said about these, especially the 147 gr, so I bought a couple of boxes in 147 gr +P.

HST is supposed to be "Hydra Shok Two", I suppose it's a new and improved version of an old favorite.

 

[woodfiend]

Speer Gold Dot 124gr 9mm= The best

 

[WC145]

I wonder, since this thread is pushing 2yrs old, if the OP ended up buying any of it.