Federal HST vs Speer GOLD DOT vs Hornady CRITICAL DUTY | 4 Layer DENIM Ballistics Gel TEST

Published on May 20, 2018
Duration: 8:37

This expert-level analysis details a rigorous ballistic gel test comparing Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, and Hornady Critical Duty 9mm ammunition. The test specifically evaluated hollow point expansion after passing through four layers of denim, a common real-world barrier. The results revealed significant differences in performance, highlighting the importance of barrier penetration for self-defense rounds.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic gel test with four layers of denim, Federal HST and Speer Gold Dot 9mm hollow points failed to expand, passing through the gel. Hornady Critical Duty, however, successfully expanded due to its polymer tip designed to prevent clogging from barriers.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Denim Ballistics Test
  2. 00:38Test Setup & Materials
  3. 01:38Speer Gold Dot Test with Denim
  4. 02:32Federal HST Test with Denim
  5. 03:16Testing Without Denim
  6. 04:07HST Test Without Denim
  7. 04:44Initial Results & Surprise
  8. 05:09Introducing Hornady Critical Duty
  9. 05:55Hornady Critical Duty Test with Denim
  10. 06:45Comparison of Recovered Bullets
  11. 07:36Conclusion: Critical Duty Success

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Federal HST and Speer Gold Dot 9mm perform when fired through denim?

In a rigorous test involving four layers of denim, both Federal HST and Speer Gold Dot 9mm hollow point ammunition failed to expand. They passed completely through the ballistic gel, indicating the denim likely clogged the hollow points and prevented proper expansion.

What makes Hornady Critical Duty different for barrier penetration?

Hornady Critical Duty features a red polymer insert in its hollow point. This insert is designed to prevent clogging from barriers like clothing, allowing the bullet to maintain its aerodynamic shape until it reaches softer tissue, where it can then expand effectively.

Why is testing ammunition through barriers important for self-defense?

Real-world self-defense scenarios often involve clothing or other barriers. Standard ballistic gel tests don't replicate this. Testing through barriers reveals how ammunition truly performs in terms of expansion and penetration, ensuring it functions as intended when it matters most.

What was the outcome of testing 9mm ammunition without denim?

When tested without the denim barrier, both Federal HST and Speer Gold Dot 9mm ammunition expanded reliably in the ballistic gel. This demonstrates that their failure to expand was specifically due to the obstruction presented by the fabric.

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