Comparing Every 9mm Federal Premium HST! Which One Is BEST?

Published on June 6, 2019
Duration: 14:07

This video provides an expert-level comparison of four Federal Premium HST 9mm ammunition variants: 124gr, 124gr +P, 147gr, and 150gr HST Micro. The host, an experienced gear reviewer, utilizes standardized ballistics gel and an FBI heavy clothing protocol with a Glock 43 to measure penetration and expansion. The 150gr HST Micro is recommended for sub-compact pistols due to its performance in short barrels.

Quick Summary

The 150 grain Federal Premium HST Micro is recommended for sub-compact pistols like the Glock 43, offering optimal expansion and penetration from short barrels. Standard 147gr and 124gr +P HST loads also provide excellent performance, though the standard 124gr load showed potential over-penetration issues in testing.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Slingshot Introduction
  2. 02:339mm Federal Premium HST Comparison Overview
  3. 03:42Test Setup and Equipment
  4. 04:34150 Grain HST Micro Test
  5. 06:05147 Grain HST Test
  6. 07:16124 Grain HST Test
  7. 09:50124 Grain +P HST Test
  8. 11:06Visual Comparison of Expanded Bullets
  9. 12:03Conclusion and Recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Federal Premium HST 9mm loads for self-defense?

For sub-compact pistols like the Glock 43, the 150 grain HST Micro is highly recommended due to its excellent expansion and penetration from short barrels. Other effective loads include the 147gr HST Tactical and 124gr +P HST Tactical, offering robust performance across various firearm platforms.

How does barrel length affect 9mm HST ammunition performance?

Shorter barrels, like those on sub-compact pistols, can reduce the velocity of 9mm ammunition. This may impact bullet expansion and penetration. The 150gr HST Micro is specifically designed to mitigate these effects and perform optimally in shorter barrels.

What testing methods were used to compare the Federal HST 9mm loads?

The video uses standardized ballistics testing with 20% clear ballistics gel and an FBI heavy clothing kit. A Glock 43 with a 3.41-inch barrel was used as the test firearm to measure penetration depth and observe bullet expansion.

What is the difference between standard and +P 9mm ammunition?

+P (Plus P) 9mm ammunition is loaded to higher pressures than standard loads, resulting in increased muzzle velocity and potentially more recoil. This can lead to deeper penetration and more significant expansion, as observed with the 124gr +P HST compared to the standard 124gr HST.

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from 1ShotTV

View all →