HST!...Need I Say More?...NEW Federal Premium HST .357 Magnum Self-Defense AMMO Test!

Published on November 12, 2023
Duration: 12:45

This expert-level review details the performance of Federal Premium HST .357 Magnum 154-grain ammunition. The testing, conducted by an experienced firearms instructor, involved gel blocks and velocity measurements from both a 2-inch Taurus 605 and a 4-inch Ruger GP100. The ammunition demonstrated excellent expansion and penetration across both barrel lengths, validating its suitability for self-defense.

Quick Summary

Federal Premium HST .357 Magnum 154-grain ammunition performed exceptionally well in ballistic gel tests from both 2-inch and 4-inch barrels. The 4-inch barrel achieved higher velocities (1318 ft/s avg) closer to advertised specs, while the 2-inch barrel averaged 1115 ft/s. Both configurations showed excellent expansion and penetration, with the 4-inch barrel slightly outperforming in projectile expansion.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Range Testing Setup
  2. 00:40Test Setup Details: Clothing Barrier & Gel
  3. 01:15Ammunition: Federal HST .357 Magnum 154gr
  4. 01:40Firearms: Taurus 605 (2") & Ruger GP100 (4")
  5. 02:22Velocity Test: Taurus 605 (2" Barrel)
  6. 04:01Velocity Test: Ruger GP100 (4" Barrel)
  7. 05:14Gel Test Introduction
  8. 05:53Gel Test Results: 2-inch Barrel
  9. 06:19Gel Test Results: 4-inch Barrel
  10. 06:36Gel Test Analysis: Penetration Depths
  11. 08:52Projectile Analysis: Recovered Rounds
  12. 09:34Projectile Weight & Expansion Diameters
  13. 10:32Overall Performance Summary
  14. 11:14Conclusion & Future Tests

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Federal Premium HST .357 Magnum 154-grain ammunition perform from a 2-inch barrel?

From a 2-inch barrel Taurus 605, the Federal Premium HST .357 Magnum 154-grain ammo averaged 1115 ft/s. It showed good expansion and penetrated 22.25 inches into ballistic gel, with a recovered projectile weighing 153.7 grains and expanding to an average of 0.569 inches.

What were the results of testing Federal Premium HST .357 Magnum 154-grain ammunition from a 4-inch barrel?

Using a 4-inch barrel Ruger GP100, the Federal Premium HST .357 Magnum 154-grain ammo averaged 1318 ft/s. It achieved excellent expansion and penetrated 22.75 inches into ballistic gel, with a recovered projectile weighing 153.4 grains and expanding to an average of 0.611 inches.

Is Federal Premium HST .357 Magnum 154-grain ammunition effective for self-defense?

Yes, the Federal Premium HST .357 Magnum 154-grain ammunition demonstrated excellent performance in ballistic gel tests, showing consistent expansion and deep penetration from both short and medium barrel revolvers, making it a highly effective self-defense round.

How does barrel length affect the performance of Federal Premium HST .357 Magnum 154-grain ammunition?

Barrel length significantly impacts velocity, with the 4-inch barrel yielding much higher speeds than the 2-inch. However, both barrel lengths produced effective penetration and expansion in ballistic gel, indicating the HST projectile is designed to perform well across various firearm configurations.

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