Federal HST at Cabela's??

[ront]

I saw some Federal .40 ammo for sale in a Cabela's flyer that looked like a good deal. I ran out there last night and bought a box. It said in the flyer that this was surplus LE ammo. The number on the box is "XM40HB". After getting home last night and looking on the internet and a copy of Guns and Ammo, Personal Defense magazine, it appears that this may be the HST ammo. Does anyone know if that is correct for sure? If it is, I will go get more as it is about $23 for a box of 50 rounds.
Thanks for any info, Ron

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Knuckledrager]

That should be HST. I think that that particular number denotes a 155gr loading.

[ront]

It is a 155gr round.

Thanks, Ron

[PaulJ]

not to steal the thread ... but how "different" is 155 vs 165 vs 180 grain? I understand heavier bullet = more recoil and better penetration? Is that correct?

[dukalmighty]

My HST ammo in 9mm has P9HST and in 45 P45HST

[Knuckledrager]

Generally speaking the heavier bullet = a bigger push. Lighter bullet = snappier muzzle rise. This is subjective and very platform dependent. The heavier bullets do tend to penetrate deeper. Weather or not that is "better" depends on your ballistic needs. All things being equal, I continually remind myself that ALL handguns are underpowered and excel only as a weapon of convenience. If you are knowingly going into a fight, take a rifle.

[dukalmighty]

not to steal the thread ... but how "different" is 155 vs 165 vs 180 grain? I understand heavier bullet = more recoil and better penetration? Is that correct?

Not necessarily,a lighter bullet will travel faster,I believe a heavier bullet may hit harder due to a heavier mass but impact isn't what kills,penetration and hits on vital organs is the key,if you shoot a 155 grn better than a 180 grn bullet then shoot the 155 OMO

[Knuckledrager]

FWIW, my agency has used the Federal 155gr load for a long time. It performs extremely well.

Not necessarily,a lighter bullet will travel faster,I believe a heavier bullet may hit harder due to a heavier mass but impact isn't what kills,penetration and hits on vital organs is the key,if you shoot a 155 grn better than a 180 grn bullet then shoot the 155 OMO

[ront]

Thanks for the info. I certainly am no expert on ammo, but it seems to me that a lot of the LE ammo tends to be around the 155gr range. There must be a reason. As stated, it seems that being lighter, it would travel faster and thus penetrate deeper. With a deeper wound channel, it seems that there would more damage and more likely hood of hitting vital organs. This is the way it seems to me anyway.

Thanks again for the info, Ron

[nedrgr21]

The 180 gr rounds have more momentum which should equal more penetration.

[Darkwater]

I've done 9mm HST testing in gel and will not use the lighter 124gr. for carry ammo. I will only use the 147gr in 9mm.

The .40S&W HST was tested by the ATK law enforcement Wood Ballistic Workshop. It is sponsored by Federal but uses LEO and competitor's products to determine function. The only thing I found is Federal is going to put it's BEST round in the test. I found no testing of the lighter 124gr 9mm but they did test the 147gr in 9mm. When I did my testing I found the lighter round did not perform nearly as well.

Google for it and use the Aurora test as it has some reviews of the .40 HST in 180gr. They did NOT use the lighter round. I can only guess this is because it would not perform as well as the 180gr round.

Only you can test it to make sure!

[apierce918]

My HST ammo in 9mm has P9HST and in 45 P45HST

my 40SW box of it is P40HST3 and my 45 is P45HST1 (of the +P variety)