9mm Federal HST 124gr Clear Ballistics Gel Test Comparing Barrel Lengths From 3” to 16”

Published on November 23, 2024
Duration: 8:54

This video tests the performance of 9mm Federal HST 124gr Plus P ammunition across various barrel lengths, from 3 inches to 16 inches. It measures velocity, penetration, and expansion in Clear Ballistics gel, revealing how barrel length impacts terminal ballistics. The findings suggest that beyond approximately 7-9 inches, significant velocity gains diminish, and pushing the round too fast can lead to over-expansion and reduced penetration.

Quick Summary

Testing 9mm Federal HST 124gr Plus P across barrel lengths from 3" to 16" revealed that velocity increases with barrel length, but beyond 7-9 inches, gains are minimal. Higher velocities can cause over-expansion, leading to less uniform petal formation and reduced penetration, suggesting optimal performance is achieved in mid-length handgun barrels.

Chapters

  1. 00:45Introduction: 9mm HST Barrel Length Test
  2. 01:25Test Setup: Beretta Nano (3" Barrel)
  3. 02:51Test: CZ 75 (4.5" Barrel)
  4. 03:40Test: Scorpion (7.75" Barrel)
  5. 04:32Test: 16" Rifle Barrel
  6. 05:29Bullet Extraction and Initial Review
  7. 06:21Side-by-Side Comparison of Results
  8. 07:34Conclusion: Barrel Length Impact on Performance

Frequently Asked Questions

How does barrel length affect 9mm Federal HST 124gr Plus P performance?

Increasing barrel length from 3 inches to 16 inches significantly increases velocity for 9mm Federal HST 124gr Plus P. However, beyond approximately 7-9 inches, velocity gains diminish. Higher velocities can lead to over-expansion, resulting in less uniform petal formation and reduced penetration.

What were the key findings of the 9mm Federal HST ballistic gel test?

The test showed that while longer barrels increase velocity, the 9mm Federal HST 124gr Plus P round performed well across various lengths. A 3-inch barrel yielded 1199 fps and ~13" penetration, while a 16-inch barrel reached 1434 fps but only penetrated ~10.75" due to over-expansion.

Does a longer barrel always mean better terminal ballistics for 9mm HST?

Not necessarily. While longer barrels increase velocity, pushing the 9mm Federal HST 124gr Plus P beyond its optimal velocity range (around 7-9 inches of barrel) can cause over-expansion. This can lead to less consistent expansion and reduced penetration, making a 7.75-inch barrel potentially as effective as a 16-inch for this round.

What is the optimal barrel length for 9mm Federal HST 124gr Plus P based on this test?

The test suggests that the powder charge for 9mm Federal HST 124gr Plus P is largely consumed by around 7 to 9 inches of barrel length. While longer barrels increase velocity slightly, the performance in Jael indicates that barrels in the 7.75-inch range offer a good balance of velocity and terminal ballistics without excessive over-expansion.

Related News

All News →

More Tactical & Gear Videos You Might Like

More from The Gun Dungeon

View all →