124 gr hydrashok

[innerpiece]

hi folks!
I picked up a cpl boxes of Federal 124gr Hydrashok (9mm).
Im gonna give them a run in my Kahr CW9

Im really a winchester fan fer ammo, I usually have the 147's in SXT or STHP..

I was curious of other folks' experience with the HydraShok's, and what if any advantage of the 124Gr load over the 115 or 147.

thanks for yer time!

ip.

 

[Steve C]

I've always found both the 124gr and 147gr Federa Hydrashoks to be accurate and reliable in my 9mm pistols. 124gr bullets should penetrate a bid deeper than 115's.

 

[glockman19]

I also use the Federal Hydra shok 124 grain. Bes tof both worlds better penetration than the 115's and less recoil than the 147's.

 

[GaryArkansas]

I think it depends, in part, upon your gun. With a shorter barrel, you need to be sure that you have enough barrel length to stabilize the slug. At common defensive distances (less than 21 feet) even a tumbling slug will hit your bad guy. However, a tumbling slug will lack the penetration depth of a properly stabilized slug.

In a Kahr, I'd stick with a lighter slug, as it gives the slug a chance to obtain rotational (twist) stability before it hits the target.

I was at a CCW class, and a guy was shooting a Glock at a target placed 15 feet away. All of his slugs were keyholing (turned sideways). Something was definitely out of whack, because that shouldn't happen. Maybe too heavy a slug, maybe barrel leading, maybe bad handloads, who knows?

Bottom line, I think you should stick with lighter slugs in a shorter barreled gun.

 

[innerpiece]

right on, have you guys done any expantion tests? or know of any preformance reports?!

thanks again.
ip.

 

[dfariswheel]

The Hydra-shok has a excellent reputation, and like most 9mm handguns, the Kahr is factory regulated for the 124 grain bullet.

The 115 grain bullets "may" shoot high for you.

The "Truth" about defense ammo is just this: ALL American made, premium defense ammo is so close in effectiveness that attempting to find the "Perfect" round is futile.
You'll see one test that rates one brand/type a few percentage points ahead of another, and in another test the results will be exactly opposite.

What you should do is experiment to find a premium defense load that's RELIABLE and reasonably accurate in YOUR particular gun, with the understanding that reliability is THE most important factor.

Obsessing over WHICH premium American defense load is the "best" is a waste of time, and is really nothing more than a good subject for discussion.
About 20 years ago, science finally caught up with bullet design, and today ALL premium defense ammo is as close to perfect as is possible.
There IS no "best load".

 

[innerpiece]

thanks fariswheel!
I understand about functionability of loads, and yer exactly right imo, there is no 'best', but theres a tool for every job.

back when I had the money (less kids lol) I was able to afford running about 1500 Win STHP's both weights, along side a few other brands, to choose the load I preferred for defence..
It was fun, we did all kindsa different tests, barriers of all kind, autoglass, windows, bout the only thing we diddnt have was ballistic gelitain..

If youve seen any specific tests posted about, or happen to run across one, try and keep this thread in mind if you would..

thanks every one for yer time and thoughts!

any other additions etc are always welcome!

be well, ip.

 

[Noxx]

The "Truth" about defense ammo is just this: ALL American made, premium defense ammo is so close in effectiveness that attempting to find the "Perfect" round is futile.

+1

I use cor-bon 115gr in my 9mm SD pistol, because it was recommended to me long ago and shoots well for me, and I've never doubted it's efficacy enough to change brands. However I wouldn't have any qualms counting on the Hydra-shoks to save my life either.

 

[buenhec]

I have never had a problem with my Speer Gold Dot +p on my Kahr MK9. I have hear good things about Hydrashock though. What do you guys think about Glaser?

 

[dfariswheel]

The Glaser seems to be falling from favor.
It cannot penetrate glass or car bodies, and is known to fail to penetrate heavy clothing.

Most people are going with the newer premium defense ammo using copper jacketed, lead cored bullets that are manufactured in such a way that they meet the Federal standards for deep penetration, expansion, and retaining mass.

The Glaser was always a "specialty" round that doesn't meet the "average" needs.
The premium standard ammo performs in most situations.

 

[innerpiece]

thanks for all the input!

ip

 

[Rokman]

I feel the 124 gr is the right load in my sd 9mm pistols. I have never shot 147 gr bullets and would probably just use my .40 instead of using that heavy of a bullet. The Hydroshoks should work well and be accurate for you.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My son carries 124 gr HydraShok's in his Taurus PT-111 Pro. They are accurate and reliable. Like said above, they penetrate deeper than the 115 gr and have less recoil than the 147 gr. I also don't like the 147 gr rounds because the heavier bullet in a 9mm doesn't have good velocity.

 

[innerpiece]

just for giggles, I plugged a Hydrashok into a 5 gallon bucket tonight, a 2x6 an 1/2 in plywood underneath....

only one shot mind you.. and it wasnt aimed well....


the jacket peeled off the lead core and was found in the bottom of the bucket.... the lead core was not found, it punched thru the bottom of the bucket, thru the 2x6, and thru the ply wood, into the muddy ground.........

So....
tho it IS the most accurate ammo in my Kahr CW9... now Ill be buying a few more boxes to be testing them out... as jackets removing themselves in WATER from the lead core is NOT what Im payin a buck a bullet for.....!

I expected pennetration..... I got more than I expected.....
I know this was just one shot.. and I will give this load about 50 more chances ( it IS the most accurate in the CW9).... but I have never had a Win. STHP in 115 OR 147, under-preform like this...

for the price, Im dissapointed.. but Im also openminded, and hope to be impressed with following intensive tests.!


ip.

 

[xd45gaper]

i shoot winchester ranger T's formerly known as the evil black talons. they are so deadly they dont even have to hit the guy just go "near" him and the round will take him and any offspring he has OUT! and they are the only hollow point that will penetrate lvl 2 body armor because of the teflon finish used on the bullet!

for real though you will get alot of awnswers when it comes to defense ammo, my two standards are coborn DPX and Winchester Ranger T's. find what shoots reliable in your gun though and stick with it!

 

[mainmech48]

I use 124 gr. ammo in my Star M43 because that's what the fixed sights are regulated for. 115s hit way low at much past PB ranges, and I'm one of those folks who wants all of the help I can get when it comes to achieving the precise placement of small diameter holes, especially under pressure. I prefer to use the Federal HydraShoks as they are readily available in my immediate area and a bit more accurate in my pistol. Of the several brands of "Premium" 124 gr. loads I've tried in impromptu 'tests' the differences in expansion and accuracy are so similar that it's pretty much a moot point at 20 yds or less.

I use 115s in my Witness for pretty much the same reason: it's what hits where I point it best.

While I'm generally a proponent of mass over velocity, I haven't used many 147 gr. 9x19s. While a couple of the loads I have tried have shown some remarkable accuracy potential in my FS Witness, that hasn't been enough in and of itself to convince me that it's worth the hassle and expense involved in buying and changing out sight parts to find the right combo for them. Stick-on adjustables aren't an option that I like for a carry/service piece, obviously.