Is Federal 9mm 147 grain Hi-Shok JHP any good?

[ATN082268]

I came across some pretty cheap hollow point ammo and was wondering if Federal 9mm 147 grain Hi-Shok JHP is any good? Thanks.

 

[justin22885]

ive never liked 147 grain in a 9mm, it doesnt really expand much better than a 124 grain and the reason is theres a pretty big drop-off in kinetic energy between the two largely because the 9mm with the 147 grain bullets really dont have much case capacity left over for enough powder to push it fast enough to equal the energy levels of the lighter bullets in 9mm.. so you end up with heavier, slightly more expensive ammunition that probably isnt going to expand or penetrate any better than 124 grain due to its case capacity issues

for 9mm, id stick with 124s

 

[sigarms228]

Here is a recent ammo test.

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/

I like Federal but HST 147 +P. IMHO for 9MM Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST are well worth the investment. I buy mine at SGAmmo in 50 round boxes for $26 or less.

http://www.sgammo.com/product/speer...gold-dot-115-grain-hollow-point-le-ammo-53614

 

[browningguy]

It seems to me that all of my full size pistols really seem to run smoother with 147 grain loads. I don't know if it's real but they sure feel like the recoil impulse causes the gun to run smoother. Having said that I only use them for targets and carry 124 grain loads.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

tnoutdoors9 on you-tube ran some 147 grain hollow point test's in denim covered gel. The 147's did very well with penetration and expansion.

I'd look at the Gold Dot's or the HST's, something top tier.

 

[golden]

Good for target use

The 147 grain ammo is often the most accurate in the 9m.m. caliber, but it is the least effective ammo. It penetrates well, but unless you are using a premium bullet, it will have an effect more like a .38 Special round than a 9m.m. It will have less expansion than the 115 or 124 grain ammo.

The FBI was the big push behind the 147 grain ammo after the fiasco in CORAL GABLES, FL when a team of agents got shot up. The blamed it on lack of penetration and started pushing the 147 grain ammo, but the 147 grain ammo from most companies is moving 100 to 150 feet per second slower than the 124 grain ammo and will expand less.
An exception to this rule is the high velocity ammo loaded by some of the boutique ammo companies and the +P versions. They about equal the velocity of the 124 grain standard pressure ammo.

The original round that caused everyone to proclaim the 147 grain as the savior of the 9m.m. for police work was a round made for the Navy SEALS and used in a sub machine gun. It had many 1 shot stops, but many of these were fired by SEALS, not your average shooter. It was reported to be frequently used for head shots as well.
This particular round rarely, if ever expanded and had the hollowpoint to enhance accuracy.

Jim

 

[eldon519]

Personally I think 147 is the best choice in 9mm these days. You'll almost certainly get the most penetration from it while still getting comparable expansion to a 115, 124, or 124+p loads. In the past it was not as reliable in terms of expansion due to the lower velocity, but modern loads such as the HST and Ranger T 147s are some of the best 9mm ever made. I can't speak to the Hi-Shok though as it is an older design.

And kinetic energy is not a relevant figure for evaluating handgun performance.

 

[Woolecox]

Unfortunately no test for the HI-Shok. Look at these test conducted by Lucky Gunner. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you can see test results for just about every defensive handgun cartridge made. They did gel test and recovered all bullets.

Looks like the 147’s (Hydra Shock) are averaging 962 fps from the factory loads. They don’t seem to open very well at those velocities. Still, the gel test are pretty impressive. I don’t shoot factory ammo any more unless it is some left over stuff I was issued. I like to load 147’s (Hydra Shock, HST, Hornady XTP, Rem Golden Saber, etc.) for my Sig MPX with 8” barrel. Easy to push them around 1050 fps. Better terminal performance while staying subsonic.

I think in general, you will get better performance out of a 124 JHP factory load shot from a pistol. But, the testing Lucky Gunner did pretty much dispels all myths and opinions. I would not hesitate to buy and use those 147’s if the price was right.

Lucky Gunner Labs

 

[eldon519]

Well the thing about the Lucky Gunner test is that it is all performed with a 4-layer heavy clothing simulation before the ballistic gelatin. Generally that seems to limit expansion and increase penetration. On a bare gelatin test, you'll see a lot more loads over-expanding/under-penetrating, especially in the lighter 115 and 124 flavors. 147 tends to get adequate penetration regardless of circumstances.

 

[W.E.G.]

Practice marksmanship with the ammo you will carry.

Avoid "good deals" on expensive ammo you will only buy once.

 

[Sunray]

Any good for what?
Your pistol may or may not shoot that ammo well or it might not cycle the action reliably(that's not likely though.). You have to try it and find out.
I'd be concerned about unreliable expansion with those. MV is only 1,000 fps. Drops to 976 at 25 yards. Any HP requires velocity to expand reliably. Not a lot of energy either.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

Looks like the Federal HST's in 9mm were the top performers, both the 124 grain and 147 grain expanded nicely.

 

[eldon519]

For both the Federal HST and Speer Golddot lines, by the manufacturer's own releases, the 147gr offerings are the only ones to meet the 12" FBI guidelines for bare gelatin. The Winchester Ranger line meets guidelines for bare and 4-layer gelatin for all weights.

I think it is ironic how many folks question if a 147gr bullet can adequately expand at 900-1000fps but don't think twice about whether a 230gr .45 ACP can at 850-900fps.

 

[eldon519]

Struggling with the upload system but here goes nothing (fingers crossed).

 

[eldon519]

Looks like I can only get one at a time...

 

[eldon519]

Last but not least

 

[Woolecox]

Well the thing about the Lucky Gunner test is that it is all performed with a 4-layer heavy clothing simulation before the ballistic gelatin. Generally that seems to limit expansion and increase penetration. On a bare gelatin test, you'll see a lot more loads over-expanding/under-penetrating, especially in the lighter 115 and 124 flavors. 147 tends to get adequate penetration regardless of circumstances.

Absolutely true. But would you not agree that unless your attacker is nekkid, you are going to have to shoot through some layers? I think the tests that Lucky Gunner did are pretty much the norm now, and fairly real world.

I am going with a tactical 147 JHP of some flavor. Hard to get these days and you pretty much have to settle with what is available. Mine will be moving at 1050 fps. I think they will do the trick.

 

[eldon519]

I think it probably simulates winter wear well which is what it's meant to mimic, but I don't think it represents a t-shirt well which is more the reality of my neck of the woods about 9 months a year. I think the bare gel is likely more representative for that scenario.

 

[Woolecox]

I think it probably simulates winter wear well which is what it's meant to mimic, but I don't think it represents a t-shirt well which is more the reality of my neck of the woods about 9 months a year. I think the bare gel is likely more representative for that scenario.

Good point. I am in Magnolia. Hey neighbor!

 

[Float Pilot]

Sometimes you have to settle for what your gun likes to shoot. My new G-19 hates every type of factory load except this.