Velocity of Federal's 180gr HST from a shorter barrel

[Snowdog]

I recently purchased a couple boxes of Federal 180gr HST (P40HST1) to try out of my M&P40c, that has so far only seen 165gr FMJs/JHPs.

I'm low on the Winchester 165gr Ranger T's (RA40TA) that I previously had for my Steyr M40 but would like to give the heavier 180gr JHPs a chance before making another bulk purchase. With its gaping maw and incredibly long jacket serrations, I figured the 180gr HST must have a low expansion threshold as well as being fairly tolerant of debris such as clothing.

However, I do wonder if the shorter barrel on my M&P40c will generate less-than-ideal velocities for this heavier round.

Has anyone here actually sent any 180gr HSTs (P40HST1 or even XM40HC) over a chronograph while using an M&P40c, G27 or other handgun with a similar length barrel?
I did a few Google searches but the results I found listed velocities that varied wildly.

I plan on sending a couple over my Chrony F1 shortly after I receive them, but I was hoping some here already have.

Thanks in advance!

 

[matrem]

180 gr XM40HC averages right at 975 fps through my 3" XDSC.
I was surprised they were that fast, as I believe they're listed as 1010 from Federal.
As a side note, I believe those have to be the best deal in defense rounds going.
Their terminal performance is as good as any handgun bullet I've tested.

 

[Effigy]

<deleted>

Anyway, I don't know the actual velocity but I think the heavier 180gr loads may actually be a better choice for a short barreled pistol. Heavier bullets are more efficient in short barrels, so even though the velocity may be fairly low you're losing than potential velocity than you would with a lighter bullet.

A quick Google search turned up this post: http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1340536

It shows 1003 fps out of a Glock 27. I imagine the barrel length is similar to your pistol. I'd say that's perfectly acceptable velocity.

 

[Seven For Sure]

The plain white boxed, brass cased HST 180's are loaded approximately 30 fps hotter than the pretty colorful boxes with the nickle cases. That's supposedly why there are tons of it around from a LEA that did'nt want them loaded hotter than the contract called for. For a short barrel, especially if velocity is a concern - go for the white box.

The nickle cased HST's have had a problem with very soft brass which I can confirm firsthand from two seperate lot's. They will dent beyond what is acceptable (to me at least) simply from loading the last 3-8 rounds in a few different DS mags from a few different brands. I've never shot the brass cased HST's so I can't confirm if a problem exists though I would think not. I've shot tons of brass cased Federal 180 FMJ without issue.

 

[gofastman]

<deleted response to Hijack>

However, I do wonder if the shorter barrel on my M&P40c will generate less-than-ideal velocities for this heavier round.

I'm sure it would, however, one of the great things about the HST bullet (and most modern hollow points) is their ability to perform well at less-than-ideal velocities.
Also, as someone said earlier:

Anyway, I don't know the actual velocity but I think the heavier 180gr loads may actually be a better choice for a short barreled pistol. Heavier bullets are more efficient in short barrels, so even though the velocity may be fairly low you're losing than potential velocity than you would with a lighter bullet.

 

[Snowdog]

Thanks for the info folks! While searching for more info online, I found a site selling XM40HC for $17.99/50 which I find to be a fair price.

I bought 3 boxes to play around with. I'll of course send them over a chronograph as well, but I'd imagine they'll be close enough in performance to use for practice (considering it doesn't cost much more than hardball).

100 rounds of P40HST1 and 150 rounds of XM40HC should give me a pretty good idea if my M&P40c likes HST ammunition.

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

the HST 180gr jhp is probably the best the market has to offer right now in terms of expansion and penetration, and weight retention.

i've done a lot of reading online, and found quite a few expansion tests out of compact pistols, and this round performs well in any barrel length.

try google image searches and youtube vids, and ATK's own LE website. plenty of info on this round

 

[71Commander]

I can't comment on the HST's but can vouch for getting 1K fps from a M&P 40c. I handload using a 180 gr. Golden Saber HP and I get a 1005 10 shot avg. chronoed.

 

[Sam1911]

[Strange...somehow we got off on a tangent about FMJs... That didn't asnwer the OP's question. Let's stick to the topic, folks.]

 

[71Commander]

Thank you.

 

[Snowdog]

Indeed!