Federal .380 ACP 99gr HST in Clear Ballistics Gel.

[5pins]

Test Gun: Ruger LCP
Barrel length: 2.75 inches.
Ammunition: Federal .380 ACP 99gr HST.
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.
Five shot velocity average: 967fps
Gel Temperature 70 degrees.

https://generalcartridge.wordpress.com/2020/01/31/federal-380-acp-99gr-hst-in-clear-ballistics-gel/

 

[murf]

I hope federal is adhering to saami pressure limits. that round is smokin'. I may have to check this one out for my self defense load. most of the commercial loads offered don't expand at lcp velocities.

thanks for the test,

murf

 

[IdaD]

Interesting, in other tests I've seen the HST doesn't penetrate well enough in 380. I carry XTP's specifically in my 380 because they don't expand as much so they tend to penetrate more reliably.

 

[murf]

the 967 fps velocity may have something to do with it.

murf

 

[IdaD]

I just checked the lucky gunner tests and out of a 3.25" barrel the HST rounds were going under 900 fps and failed to expand at all. Wonder why these were so fast out of a shorter barrel?

 

[Smokepole14]

That does seem a little fast. I’ve seen this round average 905 out of 2.75 inch barrels.

 

[Armored farmer]

That's what I've been carrying.
They're accurate too.

 

[TTv2]

I just checked the lucky gunner tests and out of a 3.25" barrel the HST rounds were going under 900 fps and failed to expand at all. Wonder why these were so fast out of a shorter barrel?

Lots of potential factors. Bad batch of ammo, old ammo that had been stored in heat for a while and the powder degraded, maybe Federal has changed the powder they use for newer production .380 HST ammo, the Glock 42 that LG used may have been bad... way too many variables and there's also "the caveats that chronographs don't always agree with each other."

We now have conflicting data and what this means is we need more data. For all we know, this box 5pins bought may be over SAAMI spec and when we buy this ammo, if there was a powder change or other change made, we're not going to know if we're getting older ammo or newer made ammo.

That's enough variability for me to stick with what I use now, but I can't say that .380 HST is junk anymore.

 

[Smokepole14]

That's enough variability for me to stick with what I use now, but I can't say that .380 HST is junk anymore.

Just curious what do you carry in .380?

 

[SeanSw]

Looks very promising if these results are repeatable.

 

[TTv2]

Just curious what do you carry in .380?

Inceptor. Cheaper than Lehigh, a bit less felt recoil, better than FMJ, more reliable than JHP.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks for the test!

 

[5pins]

It was pointed out on another forum that the unfired bullet picture, used by Lucky Gunner, looks different than the ones I have. My guess is that Federal has done some tweaking.

 

[Shimitup]

I keep those in my LCP for an SD round and they are pretty snappy. I'll have to check them with my Chrony. My hottest hand load for .380 is a Speer 88gr JHP gr over 3.7gr of W231 which is over max and yields 886 fps out of my LCP and 960 out of my 3.3" barreled PPKS. I'm a little skeptical of the 967 figure. That HST shows impressive performance whatever the velocity however.

 

[TTv2]

It was pointed out on another forum that the unfired bullet picture, used by Lucky Gunner, looks different than the ones I have. My guess is that Federal has done some tweaking.

Great, now we're not gonna know if what we buy is new, improved .380 HST or the old stuff that didn't work. The least Federal could do is change the box a bit and put something like, "NEW HST .380! 100% BETTER THAN BEFORE!"

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Definitely interesting results considering the LCP barrel length. A BDA or the Taurus equivalent loaded with these would quite a package.