Federal HST in .45

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I have had problems with this load in 2 out of 3 of my guns. However, both guns are new, one with 55 rounds through it and the other with 150. I would have assumed that the M&P would feed anything of the factory load variety. Both guns fail to return to battery, the shell seems to get stuck on the case lip at the top of the feed ramp. I have knocked doen the edge at the top of both feed ramps, but the M&P still has problems.

Anybody else have problems with HST's? Do you supose that this is a hollow point problem for both guns, a specific ammunition problem, or should I just send the gun in and stop farting around with it/worrying about it?
 
Autoloaders usually need around 500 rounds for a good break-in period before they will be consistently reliable.

I would recommend NOT shooting 500 rounds of HST though, might leave a pain in your wallet! :uhoh:
 
I gave up on Federal HST rnds a long time ago. I always had feeding problems with the .40 and .45 calibers in various guns. It seems their bullet design has a rather wide hollow point. I suggest using other PD rounds in your gun, like Ranger, Gold Dot, Hornady, Corbon, etc. I doubt your guns are at fault.
 
I never had a problem with HSTs in my Glock 21, but that's the only .45 I've ever shot them through.

It is odd to hear them having problems in many guns though, considering they are supposed to be a big LEO round.
 
Never tried them in my Glocks, but had problems in CZ (.40), Taurus (.45), SA Champion 1911 (obviously .45) and XD (.40), etc. None of those are LEO platforms, so it's not surprising that they work in your Glock which is probably one of the top LEO guns.
 
Thanks. I guess I am kind of glad to hear that this ammunition isn't perfect. I'll shoot them some more, then try a few other rounds.
 
HST in .45 does seem to have more than it's fair share of issues. I'm surprised that the M&P had problems feeding it though. I usually hear about this in the 1911 platforms.

Still, I'd allow the gun some break in time, 500 rods as suggested by another poster and than try again.

I'd put a minimum of 200 rounds of whatever ammo you carry for defense through your gun with ZERO issues before I'd consider it for protection.

I've just been testing various loads in my P226ST, P239, and XD 5" all in .40 S&W. Not one problem in over 300 rounds of DPX, Winchester LE Ranger, Double Tap, and Speer Gold Dot
 
We shoot .40 HST 180gr out of our M&P40s, and the round has been flawless. I, literally, don't think we've had one failure with our duty ammo, and we have 2,000 guns in service. So, it's good to go in .40 cal.

I did note that my M&P40 doesn't like truncated cone style ammo, and it jams exacty the way you descibe. Is it possible that in .45 the HST round closely resembles a TC-profile bullet?

Mike
 
.45 ammo

The shape of the Remington Golden Saber may feed better, and I hear their
bonded variant is nice for penetrating barriers like glass...
 
I've used HST in a 4516 without a problem. By the way, that 4516 is one of the best guns I've ever owned and if I was ever to purchase another 45 it would be the 4516.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info...I like the looks of the HST...bullets serrated all the way down to the brass..They should expand well..hopefully not too much to retard penetration...my 4516 and my 3913 are two I will never get rid of.
 
The 4516 is a Gen 3 S&W semiauto. It will probably feed empty cases straight from the magazine. S&W steel semis have their shortcomings (mostly ergonomics), but reliable feeding is not one of them.

I'd check it and see, but not worry about it unless you have a problem.

Mike
 
Check these photos from Federals website for HST vs Hydrashok! HST for the win. Hydra is the mushroom looking one.
 

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Section 8

The Hydra-Shok is a very wide hollow point. Switch to the Winchester 230gr SXT it has almost the same performance but will function reliably. My Springfield XD's Shoot the Hydra-Shok just fine. Some guns just will not. The Winchester SXT is a very accurate and reliable load, that is the one to switch too. If you have trouble getting the Winchester's then Get The Remington Golden Saber it also has a more tapered design and is another very reliable and good defensive load. I have found the Winchester SXT to be an absolute fantastic load in many calibers. I have really had great experiences with the SXT in my .45's and 40's. I hope you can enjoy your gun more in the future! With so many good loads out there, I would not waste my time on one that does not function well in your particular gun. Take Care!

The Best to you and Yours!

Frank
 
I've had no problems yet with Federal 230gr. HSTs in my P-345.

But like my P-85 Mk.2 it seems to feed anything I load it with.
 
My Springfield Loaded eats the HSTs with no problem and they are my standard carry round.
 
Coronach

Hi Mike

After doing some research I see the HST is a bit more advanced then the Hydra-Shok. It reminds me of the Glaser Pow'R Ball. I had to go hunting on the Federal website to find this----TACTICAL® HST®
The next generation in high performance duty ammunition.
HST offers consistent expansion and optimum penetration for terminal performance. A specially designed hollow-point tip won’t plug while passing through a variety of barriers and this bullet holds its jacket in the toughest conditions. HST is engineered for 100% weight retention and impressive expansion—it’s the ammunition you’ve been waiting for.

After doing some research on the net they are impressive. With your experience does one have to be in LE to acquire the HST? ON the MAH website it appears you only have to be 21 years or older to purchase LE ammo as there appears to be no law against selling it to the general public.

Thank you Mike!

Take Care!

Frank
 
It is not a law, Federal just asks their dealers that they only sell it to LEO's. I have not had a problem getting it from my normal shop, but I noticed that they don't necessarly offer it to someone "looking" for a new defence load, asking what they have, either. I had to ask if they carried it.

As far as the performance of the ammunition, several tests show it to be almost magical; it does its job everytime. Now if it would just explode inside gas tanks for movie style car chases.....
 
With your experience does one have to be in LE to acquire the HST?
Click to expand...

I was at a gun show in Pasadena, TX a three weeks ago and a vendor by the name of Ammo to Go had a good quantity of the Federal HST. They were selling it to anybody.

Tex
 
texgunner

Thank you Tex! I may order some, looks like a very good defensive round. We need more gun shows in my area. I have not been to one in about 8 months now. When I was in LE the big round was the Federal 125gr JHP for a .357 magnum revolver. I have been doing semi-auto's now for a little over a year and have learned a lot. With the gun and bullet technology improvements the semi-auto has won my devotion. I hope you have a Happy and Safe Holiday!

The Best to You and Yours!

Frank
 
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