![]() The average penetration and expansion for all 9 mm defensive-handgun loads is around 14.25 inches and. No failures of any kind were experienced in 300 rounds of testing. The rest of the ammo was used to pound steel targets. Each load was also fired to establish a velocity average, and then shot for accuracy at 10 yards from an offhand position. I fired each Federal Premium HST ammo load into blocks of bare and denim-covered 10-percent ordnance gelatin. I didn't duplicate these tests, but I always like to see for myself, even if deviations in gelatin testing and measuring often produce slightly varied results. ![]() This is why so many police agencies use them. In essence, the expanded HST bullet cuts a larger hole but still penetrates deep due to its starfish-like shape and high weight retention.įederal has conducted exhaustive tests to prove HST loads meet FBI standards and penetration remains consistent through seven different barrier tests. The points of the "star" extend out farther than-but don't increase surface area as much as-the rounded edges of a typical expanded bullet. However, with the HST bullet, the frontal area of a deformed bullet looks similar to a six-pointed star. All things being equal, the larger the frontal surface of an expanded bullet, the less it will penetrate. Terminal performance is a physics problem, not a magic spell. 45 ACP, which were part of the company's initial rollout.įederal Premium HST ammunition is designed to maximize expansion without overly limiting penetration. For now, let's take a look at popular options chambered in 9 mm. When the announcement was made, I suspected the decision meant Federal would soon offer a new, LE-only load, but Compton said, inconclusively, "As for new products, we are constantly researching, evaluating and testing concepts and designs." Some of these new products rolled out over the last couple years include HST Micro options for short-barreled pistols and even a. According to Federal Premium Product Specialist Dan Compton, the decision was based on consumer feedback and demand. It also has patented, coaligned, internal core and external-jacket skives, all of which optimize bullet upset.įederal offers HST loads in several popular calibers in its Personal Defense line of ammunition, which was made available for purchase by civilians back in 2015. Instead of bonding, the bullet features a cannelure in the shank to hold the core and jacket together mechanically. With the Federal Premium HST ammunition, Federal went a different direction. Meeting these requirements is often accomplished by bonding the bullet's core to its jacket, which helps maintain bullet integrity as it passes through barriers. This should not come as a surprise, considering bullet-engineering guru Tom Burczynski, of Hydra-Shok and EFMJ fame, worked on this new project.Īccording to Larry Head, senior manager of ammunition product development at Federal Premium, "The HST was developed specifically to meet performance requirements, such as FBI protocols that many police departments and government agencies were requesting-specifically to get larger expanded diameters without sacrificing penetration." It was, however, a name that gained a stellar reputation on the street. This "tactical" ammunition featured a new bullet designated "HST." Some hypothesized the abbreviation stood for "Hi-Shok Two," but in reality it was just a name. In 2002, Federal Premium introduced its HST ammunition, which was intended for-and sales were restricted to-law enforcement. ![]()
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