Federal HST: Is It Any Good?

40S&W has made a significant come back, as it's been getting a lot of good press in 2A world when comparing to 9mm, specifically in 1-shot-stop power. Lots of people have switched their EDC to .40 for this reason.

Great test. I think your conversion calculations are pretty accurate. Still, for fun and your fans, denim in front and MDF between jugs 1 and 2 would be awesome to see. Remember, it would still be consistent -- as long as you do it for every test.

Thanks HR. Another thoughtful test and evaluation. Have you tested any 5.7 x 28 pistols or ammunition? I just purchased a Tisas 5.7 non optics ready very very cheaply.

Your videos are always good. And give good information. Thank you for all you do.

Just my own opinion of course, but the 9mm Federal HST 124 grain standard velocity bullet is the best their is when it comes to self defense in 9mm. Not only do I feel it is the best performer (especially in 3" barrels) it beats the high velocity version. The HV version expands slightly more but has less penetration because it expands faster. Still a great SD round, but the SV is better. I have put the HST SV 124 gr, bullet up against every popular round out there including the Speer GD and it has always come out #1.

If this bullet does not open in water never use it, if you're not shooting through at least Jean then it's just for entertainment, all bullets are not the same and hardly open in real scenarios especially the heavy for caliber grain weights. 45 ACP is the worst the 185 will open like a parachute but not go deep enough in the heavies won't they should usually be $200 to $210 grains HST hydroshock deeps, Gold Dot 200 grain short barrel they work so if you need information on semi autos, apparently I'm just a keyboard warrior and I could probably have more accurate analysis . And I'm not a sniper good shooter but I'm a good nerd . HST will even open in a 147 thereby fire HST the most reliable brand across all calibers. But in 45 no-go If it opens it goes like 7 in gel.

Hello HR. I was surprised that the expansion of both calibers was pretty much equal. I expected the larger 40 caliber to to end up wider than the 9 mm.
I saw that Charter Arms has come out with a new Coyote model, a low recoil revolver in 380. The 380 is considered marginal for self defense ( Dick Fairburn ) I wonder if there is a loss of performance with a ported barrel and cylinder gap. If someone " happened" to have a PPK laying around it with would make an interesting video.

Good stuff, HR! Thanks for sharing.

FYI HR & everyone results here are closer to Federal's Official 4" Heavy Clothing data regarding penetration, obviously shot to shot velocity difference effects things & plastic of the jugs. 124 gr at 1192 fps 12", 165 gr 1121 12.5" so good enough results for civilian work. I also got near exact results as FBI in 1990 w my 3" Federal 125 gr sjhp test. Therefore this vid and mine is enough validation for me that we are most likely within +-3% usually and likely +- 7% on the outside. It's not only Fackler & Dick, but US ARMY STURDIVAN, Peters, Macpherson, Schwartz, that have very Scientifically Validated Water to Organic Gel using 5 different models that all give similar results and can be averaged US Army BRL, UTSI, WTI, Q-model, & mTHOR algorithm.

Wilson Combat did a great deal of experimental work to validate water as a test medium as well. They needed to test thousands of rounds quickly and that much gell simply wasn't an option.

Hey H, great job on the Federal HST comparison. Have you ever thought about taking a bore sight laser putting it in the chamber and then zeroing a laser sight to the bore laser. Then target shooting with just the laser sight by pointing rather than sighting down the slide.

Never had a doubt. I've been carrying them for years in 9mm in both 124gr and 147gr, and in 45acp in 230gr. Great video, as always!

This was a very well done video, thanks for your work.

Very informative test. HST just happens to be what I use. Thanks for the video sir.

Five of my 9mm handguns run HST 124 gr 100%. My Hellcat jams on it.

Thanks for another great video!

I use Federal HST in my 9mm, .380 ACP, and .45 ACP carry handguns. I use Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P 158gr. Lead SWC-HP in my .38 Special and .357 Magnum carry revolvers.

I have been very pleased with my own testing with all of them.

H thanks for the link. I am more interested in zeroing the laser sight with a bore laser at 15 yards and then checking if it is dead zero accurate after firing.

The reason why Law enforcement did not latch onto hst like they did gold dot, is because law enforcement criteria was based on penetrating auto body, windshield/glass/Barriers, etc speer gold dots were designed as bonded bullets, federal hst were not originally, they were designed for terminal performance in human targets, with a civilian application in mind. the gold dot predates the hst, and created under different criteria, all this dated back to FBI wound ballistic trials after 1986 miami dade shootout, penetration was the issue for them at that time. gold dot followed FBI standards protocol, hst was more of civilian self defense round in theory, and is the reason why the law enforcement market moved to speer gold dots, the latest rendition of hst is now basically a bonded bullet, but it's to late for them to catch up to gold dots now, for civilian Self Defensive market i think the hst is a better bullet, one that law enforcement should Reconsider!

Yes, thank you Ian and thank you Mr. Funk for an excellent video

Next 45 Federal HST and Barnes TAC-XPD 45?

BTW, i wish a Happy Marine Corps birthday to all of you crayon eaters. No slight intended....😂

Have you thought about testing 45 ACP rounds this way?

Excellent video! Can you repeat the test with drywall or wood simulating indoor wall? I always carry my ccw with Federal!

The Federal HST 147 grain HP is the duty ammo for my former department. All of us retirees got a box of 50 following LEOSA quals this past July. Thx for another informative video Howard.

Speer Gold Dot is my preferred load but HST is my only other option I will carry.

Good evening, HRFUNK and family. 💪🇺🇸💪. This was an awesome video. I love bullet ballistics.

Excellent! Very well done as always. I carry a full size M&P40 2.0 and at times I carry the 1.0 M&P40c also. I am very pleased with both. I have carried Hornady Critical Defense in the past and last year I rotated out to 165 Gold Dot. This next year I am rotating out to the 165 HST. Many thanks.

With all due respect to folks who test products and then present their results, I have my own validation regarding HST.

First off, I'm career LEO.

Most of it patrol, some of it OIS investigator.

Seen a man dropped from one hit from a 40s&w 180gr HST.

The bullet entered his left side, passed through his left lung, then through his heart, then through his right lung, exited through his back...and was caught in his flannel shirt. Fully expanded.

We always have a choice of Gold Dot or HST. After that day, HST and only HST for me.

All the testing I'll ever need

I don't care what anybody says, Federal HST is King universally with all self defense calibers. It is consistently the most reliable performing round pretty much no matter how you match each variant of the HST with all barrel lengths. Even putting a heavy 147 grain through a 3 inch barrel handgun you will still get some expansion everytime and it will never fail, and never have to worry about lethal over penetration. The perfect self defense round 👍

Thank You for all the hard work and time required for putting out these videos. VERY well done! I carry Underwood and Fed HST's in all my carry pistols. In addition, I like your Remington Nylon 66 in the background. I had one just like it as a young man and fully regret selling it. One of the first 'plasic' firearms on the market-and a good one at that!

What would be nice to know is how the point of impact differs between expensive HST ammo and cheap training ammo. If folks have to practice with hyper expensive ammo to know where it is going to hit, HST ammo loses its appeal, especially if it causes people to practice less. As an aside, one of the great things about .45 ACP is that the same ammo you train with is guaranteed to put a 45 caliber hole in whomever needs putting a hole into.

I have been following this from the start and have tried it out at my range. Thankyou. The only change I have found was at diferant weather and water temps I also used Very hot water and there was a large change in the results, Just wanted to let you know. I love the math it took to get to this point. Tim From Canada.

My Last post was NOT in anyway to anger you But just something I tried out to see if in fact body temp would show a diferant result. Love always your videos Please keep them coming. Tim From Canada.

HR, is that a Nylon 66 I see on the wall behind you? I've got a black one that I've had for about fifty years. It's a great rifle. Light and accurate. Still works good and is accurate, after all these years. Good video on the HST ammo.

Good test HR!
Federal HST ammunition is what I carry every day, but with 230gr in 45 ACP.
And in 10% ballistic gelatin they get an average of .78" expansion.
Edit: I didn't know that you have a website Howard, I will email you ASAP!

Boy you're way late to the party, Federal HST has been considered the gold standard for awhile now! I carry the 124gr. load in 9mm and the 165gr. in 40 S&W.

That S&W .40 Compact was a nice looking gun with the trim lines and two tone earth colors. I'm a sucker for simple and too the point.

Thanks for the video.
I carry 124 grn Gold Dot +P in my 3.7 inch Tristar C100 (CZ 75 compact clone) but i have a box of 124 grn HST +P for when I swap the Gold Dot out. (Always have been a Gold Dot fan)
From what I have seen in all videos, the HST does do a bit better than the Gold Dot. Not that it would make me get rid of the GDs. But i am glad I have the HST when I decide to swap out.

Interesting Federal downloaded the 165gr HST over the years. I was issued this ammo in the mid 2000s and it was loaded to 1150fps…and often clocked at or above that. The reduced velocity is more in line with the original .40 FBI load…🤔

They open up like flowers. The media put a certain negative stigma on hollow point bullets. This is good carry ammo as it reduces penetration and collateral damage so not to just pass through objects and intended targets. Thanks for another educational video.

Happy birthday HR! Another great video. Thanks for all your effort in putting them together...

I like how you are doing these test. Great video!

I'm glad to see the 9mm tests . I only wish you'd done the .45ACP also . I see you have the Gen 1 S&W M&P ,looks like the stock trigger . I have the Gen 1 M&P 9c but my trigger was horrible so I replaced it with an Apex Tactical trigger and the difference was amazing .

SEMPER FI MY BROTHER. HAPPY 249TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent review of the Federal HST. Both my Kimber TLE II's in .45acp are my EDC's and have been for years with HST 230 grain JHP. I have never had any issues with this round in my 1911 and I train regularly with them. When I do my part, this ammo has been very accurate and reliable. Both my Kimber TLE II's have over 2000 rounds through them and never a hiccup. Living in the non-freedom state of CT with a 10 round magazine limit, I feel the 8+1 of the HST 230 grain has me adequately protected.

TOBIAS FOR PRESIDENT

The 45acp HST will expand to over 0.8 inches. That is a larger diameter than an unexpanded 12 guage slug, which is 0.72 inches.

It's a shame Federal discontinued it's 38 special HST 138 grain plus p.. it had the appearance of a wad cutter hollow point deep down inside the case. From what I understand it was not accurate out of certain 38 special handguns so they discontinued it