SERIOUS problem with Federal Hydra-shoks

[horge]

Brad,

Hi. Based on what I've read thus far, the phenomenon of simulated clothing retarding HP expansion is apparently across the board, not just for Federal's Hydra Shok (their Hi-Shoks perform even more miserably).

The fabric apparently caps off the HP hollow, retarding its ability to scoop up material.

One notable exception is Remington's Golden Saber, for which simulated clothing actually amplifies HP expansion. The bullet has a particularly sharp lip, and I believe the askew splits in the lip may assist in shearing any fabric that might 'cap off' the hollow.

 

[DigMe]

Horge,

Yes, all rounds fail to expand at times. With some that is occasionally, with others it's commonly. The Hydra-shok seems to experience this phenomenon with greater frequency than many other available rounds. There are rounds out there that handle clothing penetration and expansion much better.

brad cook

 

[DonNikmare]

There are rounds out there that handle clothing penetration and expansion much better

So, what are they? Would someone give a list of some that are like the ones described in the quote above.
Someone mentioned "Remington's Golden Saber" are they are any other?
Thanks.
Nik

 

[CasualShooter]

I have found this to be a common occurance with UMC FMJ in a 1911 after a round has been chambered several times. Others, above, have explained it well.

If a round is cycled through the action of a semiauto, even once, at least glance at the OAL before stuffing it back in a mag.

That is good advice!

I would also suggest trying to push the bullet into the case with your thumb. If the fit is loose enough to allow this, then chambering the round would likely set it back and you would wise to dispose of the round (or resize the case and reseat the bullet re-establishing a tight fit and shoot it at your next range session).

 

[Bob F.]

Had occassion to shoot a Fed 9BP, the famous FBI/LE load into a swimming pool (no denim)---absolutely NO expansion. Right now carrying Fed 115 9BPLEO +P+, feel hot, look like the same bullet. Can't find Ranger, think I like the 124gr Speer +P Gold Dot. Guess I'd better go find a box of Speers tomorrow.
Stay safe.
Bob

 

[444]

So did you test any loads that expanded after being fired into the cement pond ?

 

[ny32182]

Do not ride the slide on a semi-auto pistol

My procedure for lengthening the life of my carry ammo (works fine on my Taurus, no so much on my sig):

With the slide locked open, place the first round in the chamber, then let the slide down until the extractor snaps over the rim. Insert the mag. "Press check". Finished. No problem, and its not as hard on the ammo as letting the slide fly.

Just make damn sure the extractor has engaged the rim of the casing, and that the slide is all the way into battery... I've never had a problem.

 

[Bob F.]

444: actually, it was an above ground with metal walls. We were getting ready to "scrap it out" as dau had outgrown it and liner was about shot and walls were rusting. I wasn't satisfied w/ drain rate and we live "in the country" so I decided to punch somemore drain holes. One shot and the side split vertically and darned near washed me away. Kinda like one of those "Hey, y'all watch this!" stories. LOL

Might have ot fill that 55 gal plastic drum up.....

 

[c_yeager]

Why do people feel the need to hand cycle rounds through their guns like this anyways?

 

[straightShot]

I recommend against riding the slide.

Pull back on the cocking serrations and let it go. You definately won't hurt the gun. By riding the slide on some guns and easing up, there's a chance that the slide might not be 100% forward. If this occurs, the gun won't go bang when you need it most.

 

[wingman]

A lite crimp will cause bullet setback also it is occurs more with wide nose/flat
nose bullets rather then round nose. Semi-wadcutters if not crimped correct
are very likely to move in the case I believe it more contact with the ramp or
mag that causes this. In any event it can happen with commerical ammo
also best to check your carry ammo for this from time to time,( i think its good
for non-reloaders to purchase a set of calibers) especially important with
40cal.!

 

[dfariswheel]

Back in the mid 1980's when the police began the move from revolvers to autos, there was a sudden spate of "second round" stoppages.

The officer would fire the first shot, and his weapon would fail to feed the second.

A study found the problem:
When the police came on watch, they would inspect the pistols by removing the magazine, eject the round in the chamber and do an inspection.

After inspection, the magazine would be inserted, a round chambered, the mag removed and the round that had been in the chamber would be reloaded into the mag.

The problem was, the SAME two rounds were constantly being chambered and re-chambered over and over.

Of course, we now know that bullet set-back occurs from the bullet repeatedly hitting the feed ramp.

The problem was solved by requiring the officers to rotate their ammo.

ALL ammo is subject to the phenomena.......so rotate.

 

[ny32182]

It doesn't come ONLY from the nose of the round hitting the feed ramp either, although I'm sure that plays a part in it...

I tried the following to avoid setback, and it didn't work:

Lock the slide back, manually put the round in the chamber, and let the slide fly... do this a few times with the same round, and setback will occur just as if you were chambering from the mag.

My only guess about this is that since an autoloading cartridge headspaces at the mouth, the pressure there is causing setback as well. Thats about all it could be.

 

[BHPshooter]

The stuff KBs are made of...

So I pull all the hydras out and look at them and see this on 3 of them.

HOLY CRAP. That is scary. Can you say, "KaBoom?"

Like the rest have said, check ALL your ammo for setback. Baaaaad stuff.

Wes

 

[cordex]

I've had this happen with a .45ACP Winchester Silvertip.

I was young and dumb, hadn't started reloading and didn't know that it was a bad idea ... so I shot it at a milk jug filled with water.

Thankfully, the .45ACP starts out at a pretty low-pressure and there was no damage to me or the gun. But I did get soaked with milky water.

Haven't had this happen to any Hydra shoks yet. A friend did show me some many-cycled HS that had a pretty beat up hollow points, though.

 

[FedGunner]

Ya know... I've replied once here already.....

Wot the 'ell are you doing finger f******g your loads anyway?

Load up... go to the range.. shoot load out... shoot target ammo.. go home and clean.. load for life... repeat as needed,.

 

[Redlg155]

I've had this happen with .45 200gr +P Golt Dots in my SA 1911.

I've also had problems with early issue 9mm Corbon 115gr JHPs out of a G26. I've seen that Corbon has since rolled a cannelure in the case to help prevent against setback.

Good Shooting
Red

 

[guns'ahoy]

:eek3:

 

[280PLUS]

just for fun,,,

don't forget loose rounds that can jump crimp forward from recoil and stick out enough to jam even your revolver,,,

especially true of the light weight .38 and .357 revolvers,,,

 

[Dr.Rob]

Never had it happen on a 9mm case, but I've seen it plenty with 230gr .45's or all makes.

Noticed setback with 90 gr .380 hydrashocks... finally quit loading/unloading the thing.

I suspect the 357 sig is a worst case scenario for setback, as there is less brass touching the bullet than in other calibers.

 

[Majic]

I wonder about the shooter actually loading the setback rounds back into the magazine. You would think that of the 3 found in the mag at least one should have been noticed. Or do the shooter actually look at what he/she is doing. That doesn't even qualify as a brain fart.

 

[Mil Novecientos Once]

If you are worried with bullet setback, then start buying JHP's with cannelured cases. Federal Hi-Shock and Remington's GS are an example. BTW my spare mags are loaded with Federal AE, the case is cannelured too. The cannelure helps prevent set back.

 

[horge]

Originally posted by DigMe:
...The Hydra-shok seems to experience this phenomenon with greater frequency than many other available rounds. There are rounds out there that handle clothing penetration and expansion much better.

Brad, I'm not sure if I recall this correctly, but I think there's an online article complaining about Federal nerfing the Hydra-shok load a decade or so ago. If true, and if the bullet design was maintained, then there might not be enough ooomph in the casing to guarantee enough velocity for the bullet to expand. Every HP design has a velocity sweet zone, right?

 

[FNFiveSeven]

um... yeah, I second Fedgunner's question, what the hell is going on here, am I missing something?

 

[R.H. Lee]

ttbadboy said:

With the slide locked open, place the first round in the chamber, then let the slide down until the extractor snaps over the rim. Insert the mag. "Press check". Finished. No problem, and its not as hard on the ammo as letting the slide fly.

Not a good idea. If you do this enough times, you will experience a FTE, hopefully not at a critical time. Semi-autos are designed to chamber a round from the magazine only.