American Rifleman Television - Federal Defensive Ammunition

Published on June 24, 2015
Duration: 10:54

This video from American Rifleman Television, featuring Johan Bowden from Federal Premium, evaluates two defensive ammunition loads: the Guard Dog and the HST. The Guard Dog utilizes Expanding Full Metal Jacket (EFMJ) technology with a rubber insert to achieve expansion without a traditional hollow point cavity, aiming to mitigate over-penetration and plugging issues. The HST is presented as a proven law enforcement round known for consistent expansion and performance through various barriers, now available to civilians. Testing protocols, including the FBI standard, are discussed, highlighting the importance of terminal ballistics, penetration depth (targeting 12 inches), and weight retention.

Quick Summary

Federal's Guard Dog ammunition uses Expanding Full Metal Jacket (EFMJ) technology with a rubber insert for reliable expansion without traditional hollow-point issues. The HST is a law enforcement-proven round offering consistent expansion and barrier penetration, featuring a mechanical locking band for core retention, making it a robust choice for civilian self-defense.

Chapters

  1. 00:16Introduction to Federal Defensive Ammunition
  2. 00:28Federal Guard Dog Ammunition Explained
  3. 01:46Guard Dog EFMJ Technology
  4. 02:13Guard Dog Terminal Ballistics Goals
  5. 03:36Guard Dog Post-Barrier Performance
  6. 04:52Federal HST Ammunition Introduction
  7. 05:04HST Bullet Performance & Reputation
  8. 05:45HST FBI Protocol Testing
  9. 06:39HST Bullet Design for Expansion & Penetration
  10. 07:13Automotive Windshield Barrier Test
  11. 08:36HST Mechanical Locking Band
  12. 09:14Conclusion of Testing & HST Performance
  13. 10:00Overall Ammunition Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main advantage of Federal's Guard Dog ammunition?

The Federal Guard Dog ammunition utilizes Expanding Full Metal Jacket (EFMJ) technology with a rubber insert. This design allows for reliable expansion upon impact without the feeding issues, legal restrictions, or plugging problems associated with traditional hollow-point bullets, making it ideal for home defense scenarios.

How does the Federal HST ammunition differ from traditional hollow points?

The Federal HST is a proven law enforcement round known for consistent expansion and performance through various barriers. It features a mechanical locking band that helps retain the core and jacket, allowing it to perform similarly to bonded bullets through challenging materials like auto glass, but without the added cost.

What are the key performance goals for defensive ammunition like the Guard Dog and HST?

Key performance goals include achieving reliable expansion to increase wound channels, penetrating to an effective depth (around 12 inches) to reach vital organs, and maintaining high weight retention to ensure sufficient energy transfer and penetration through barriers.

Why is testing through automotive windshield glass important for defensive ammunition?

Testing through laminated automotive windshield glass is crucial because it's one of the hardest barriers, capable of shredding bullet material and causing jackets to separate. A bullet that successfully penetrates this barrier with good weight retention and integrity demonstrates superior design and reliability for defensive use.

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