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I've always carried Federal Hydra-Shok. Anyone ever have problems with it?

Good stuff.

I have either Hydra-shok or HST in all of my handguns.

I carry Hydra-shocks in .38 and .40. Never had a feed or eject problem. Have read various accounts of these rounds being prone to "plugging" when hitting heavier clothing barriers like denim. I think there are some threads here somewhere that mention it.

I'm considering my next .40 purchase may be some Hornady TAP if I can find it. I've been very pleased with Hornady Critical Defense with my .380 and just bought some for my .38 (haven't test it yet). If they start making CD in .40, all the better.

GFGrand wrote:I've always carried Federal Hydra-Shok. Anyone ever have problems with it?

There is an issue with hydrashok concerning expansion after it goes through heavy clothing. It still makes a pretty good hole feeds well through most guns, and can be found at Acadamy. It is what I use because its the only defencive quality brand I can find without going out and looking for it or buying over the internet. (I hate buying over the internet) IF I could find better stuff at Wallyworld or a store I actually go to I would buy the better stuff.

B"H
I've been with my Glock 19 for the last 12 years. I used to like Hydra BUT, the last 2 rounds in any of my mags ALWAYS got stuck in the lower part of the ramp. To avoid a problems in real life situation, the last 2 rounds was FMJs. Last January I changed to EXPANDING POINT FMJ, and is working like butter

I have always carried Gold dot 165gr in my G23C without an issue. I've killed quite a few hogs and a horse(had to put him down, he twisted a gut) with that pistol and that bullet so I figure it'll do ok on a two legged predator. I have tried Hydra-shoks, starfire, and TAP, and they were all good but The Gold Dots are where it's at IMHO.

rmoraes wrote:B"H
I've been with my Glock 19 for the last 12 years. I used to like Hydra BUT, the last 2 rounds in any of my mags ALWAYS got stuck in the lower part of the ramp. To avoid a problems in real life situation, the last 2 rounds was FMJs. Last January I changed to EXPANDING POINT FMJ, and is working like butter

Have you tryed replacing the mag springs and or followers?

Not a fan.

There are much better choices out there.

There are much better options than the Hydra Shok. I prefer HSTs and Gold Dots. They offer better expansion and weight retention. Where I work they switched from Hydra Shoks to HSTs after poor performance in a real world event. They did this after testing in conjunction with a local city department. If you go to Federals LEO web site they have test results from different agencies testing various ammo. The HSTs still expand even after being shot through denim where the Hydra Shoks tend to plug up and act like a FMJ.

Hydrashock is old technology, that doesn't make it bad, there are better loads today but there are some that are far worse. I carry HST in .45ACP and .40 S&W. My 9mm guns get Gold Dot, Golden Saber or Tactical Hydrashock depending on the gun. In the .38 Special it's either Gold Dot short barrel or Federal Nyclad. When the.357 Magnum goes out it has Federal Classic 125 gr. in it. If I could get a good supply of CorBon DPX in all those calibers at a price less than the national debt that is all I would use. Would I get my BVDs in a knot if I had only Hydrashock? NO! The bullet is 10% or less of the equation your mindset and where you put the bullets will win the day. There are no magic bullets.

HST > Hydrashock IMO but if you cant find/afford enough to test them in your gun use what you know works.

Link

Frost wrote:HST > Hydrashock IMO but if you cant find/afford enough to test them in your gun use what you know works.

Link

Cops for years have done pretty well with 38 special wad cutters, Hydra-shoks surely are better than those. I'll probably buy HST's next time I'm in a store that has them. I haven't seen them yet and for me they aren't going out of my way.

I use Federal EFMJ in my carry weapons.

Apparently, all Hydra-Shoks are not the same. I suggest you read this article. maybe give you some ideas.

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defen ... /index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;