History Repeats...Federal Hydra-Shok .38 Special +P 129 Grain Self-Defense AMMO Ballistic Gel Test!

Published on March 27, 2026
Duration: 15:01

This video presents a ballistic gel test of Federal Premium Hydra-Shok .38 Special +P 129 grain ammunition. The test evaluates bullet expansion, penetration, and velocity from various barrel lengths (2-inch, 3-inch, and 4-inch). The results indicate that while the ammunition achieves good penetration, it consistently fails to expand reliably across different barrel lengths, with only the 4-inch barrel showing minimal expansion.

Quick Summary

The Federal Hydra-Shok .38 Special +P 129 grain ammunition achieved an average muzzle velocity of 911 FPS from a 2-inch barrel and 926 FPS from a 3-inch barrel. In ballistic gel tests, it demonstrated significant penetration up to 22 inches but failed to expand reliably from shorter barrels, showing only minimal expansion from a 4-inch barrel.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Weather Conditions
  2. 00:24Ammunition Overview: Federal Hydra-Shok .38 Spl +P 129gr
  3. 00:47Comparison to Previous 110gr Test
  4. 01:26Cartridge & Projectile Design
  5. 01:47Test Firearms: Taurus 856 (2"), S&W 686 (3"), Ruger GP100 (4")
  6. 02:12Chronograph Test: 2-inch Barrel (Taurus 856)
  7. 03:35Chronograph Test: 3-inch Barrel (S&W 686)
  8. 05:03Ballistic Gel Test: 2-inch Barrel
  9. 05:50Ballistic Gel Test: 3-inch Barrel
  10. 06:15Ballistic Gel Test: 4-inch Barrel (Ruger GP100)
  11. 06:44Gel Block Analysis: Penetration & Tumbling
  12. 09:29Projectile Close-Up & Analysis
  13. 10:29Projectile Examination: Expansion & Weight
  14. 13:10Final Verdict & Performance Summary
  15. 13:52Overall Test Success & Failure Assessment
  16. 14:31Viewer Engagement & Comments

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the muzzle velocities for the Federal Hydra-Shok .38 Special +P 129 grain ammunition?

From a 2-inch barrel, the average muzzle velocity was 911 FPS. From a 3-inch barrel, the average velocity increased to 926 FPS, reaching a high of 953 FPS. The 4-inch barrel was not explicitly measured for average velocity but was used for the final gel test.

How did the Federal Hydra-Shok .38 Special +P 129 grain ammunition perform in ballistic gel tests?

The 129-grain Hydra-Shok demonstrated significant penetration, reaching up to 22 inches from a 3-inch barrel. However, it consistently failed to expand reliably from 2-inch and 3-inch barrels, showing only minimal expansion from a 4-inch barrel, often accompanied by tumbling.

What barrel lengths were used to test the Federal Hydra-Shok .38 Special +P 129 grain ammunition?

The ammunition was tested using three different barrel lengths: a 2-inch barrel on a Taurus 856, a 3-inch barrel on a Smith & Wesson 686, and a 4-inch barrel on a Ruger GP100. Chronograph readings were taken from the 2-inch and 3-inch barrels.

Does the Federal Hydra-Shok .38 Special +P 129 grain ammunition expand reliably?

Based on this ballistic gel test, the 129-grain Federal Hydra-Shok .38 Special +P does not reliably expand, especially from shorter barrels (2-inch and 3-inch). While some minimal expansion was observed from a 4-inch barrel, it was not consistent or significant.

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