Federal 'Tactical Bonded' .45 water test.....(pics)

Smitty908 · June 11th, 2007, 04:49 PM

Hey folks,

Just wanted to update that last ammo thread I did. I was 'attacked' by a large roving gang of water jugs today in the woods.....luckily I was ready for them

LOL

I retook the pictures from the first thread about the .45 ammo to include the Federal 'Tactical Bonded' 230 gr. +P round. It performed admirably, as expected. (Sorry, I didn't have a spare windshield or car door to shoot them through.)

They penetrated about the same as the HST +P round, and they definately stayed together. The lead core toward the outside of the 'petals' if you will is still stuck to the copper like glue. So....I guess they perform as advertised....

Any way...here we go...
(Sorry in advance for the shaky camera work.)
Left to right....

230gr. +P Winchester Ranger SXT (990 fps)
230gr. Standard pressure Federal HST (890 fps)
230gr. +P Federal HST (960 fps)
230gr. +P Federal Tactical Bonded (950 fps)
Bottom: 230gr. Standard pressure Speer Gold Dot (890 fps)

Add: The muzzle velocities listed are the manufacturer's published velocity...(I don't own a chrony.....YET.)

The Tactical Bonded on a quarter side by side with HST.
(Captain Crunch.....yes this one is an Alabama quarter.)

I am impressed with all these new offerings from Federal....so I guess what I carry will depend on how "Tactical" I feel that particular day.

Comments welcome.
Disclaimer: I know this is not a 'scientific' test.

Anyone interseted in the 9mm variation of this test...see my next thread ....I will post it in about 10 minutes.

-Tim

paratroop23 · June 11th, 2007, 05:43 PM

Excellent post!!! Definitely clears up some questions a had!! Thanks a bunch man!!

paratroop23 · June 11th, 2007, 07:20 PM

My dillema------> Which ones will I carry!

The HSTs look a little nastier, but I feel pretty confindent that the Tacs will make short work out of barriers! Decisions decision!!

DRT · June 11th, 2007, 07:35 PM

Any in the top row are great.

NoMercy · June 11th, 2007, 08:41 PM

Nice work! Ive been interested in the HST's for a over a year now,but havent been able to find them. Thanks to your post's I got all pumped up over them and bought some at streichers. Now they're out of stock again!

I will be checking their site to buy more. I love the HST's!

Been doing some test of my own in our pool and the HST +p's expand really well!

nn · June 11th, 2007, 08:52 PM

Now the controversy starts, one is as good as the other it seems.

retsupt99 · June 11th, 2007, 11:34 PM

For me...any would do the job...

Thanks for a great display...

ret

Alien Nation · June 12th, 2007, 01:40 AM

I can't wait to get my hands on some of the standard HST's. Cool thing is I'll always have my wonderful Gol Dots to fall back on.
IMHO (for me anyways) the Gold Dots are what all other HP's are judged by.

paratroop23 · June 13th, 2007, 10:37 AM

The HST, Tactical Bonded, and Gold Dots are all made by the same organization(ATK). I would be happy with all three*. But at this current time I own both Tac Bonded and HST 230gr +P. I'm carrying the Bonded rounds now, and seriously considering trying to work the HSTs in rotation! Those HSTs look extremely nasty!!

*I haven't tested the Gold Dots for reliability through my pistols yet, but I've heard nothing but good things.

www.le.atk.com

DRT · June 16th, 2007, 11:10 AM

The HST opens both larger and with higher reliability after encountering heavy clothing than gold dot. The bonded bullet only does better after safety glass whereas the HST does better in all other scenarios. HST aint bad through glass either. The HSTs also look to have a sharper upset profile than gold dot.

If you have a thing for bonded bullets, go with the Fed Tactical over Gold Dot. Again, the Tactical round opens more reliably.

June 11th, 2007, 04:49 PM	#1
Smitty908 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wetumpka, AL Posts: 63	Federal 'Tactical Bonded' .45 water test.....(pics) Hey folks, Just wanted to update that last ammo thread I did. I was 'attacked' by a large roving gang of water jugs today in the woods.....luckily I was ready for them LOL I retook the pictures from the first thread about the .45 ammo to include the Federal 'Tactical Bonded' 230 gr. +P round. It performed admirably, as expected. (Sorry, I didn't have a spare windshield or car door to shoot them through.) They penetrated about the same as the HST +P round, and they definately stayed together. The lead core toward the outside of the 'petals' if you will is still stuck to the copper like glue. So....I guess they perform as advertised.... Any way...here we go... (Sorry in advance for the shaky camera work.) Left to right.... 230gr. +P Winchester Ranger SXT (990 fps) 230gr. Standard pressure Federal HST (890 fps) 230gr. +P Federal HST (960 fps) 230gr. +P Federal Tactical Bonded (950 fps) Bottom: 230gr. Standard pressure Speer Gold Dot (890 fps) Add: The muzzle velocities listed are the manufacturer's published velocity...(I don't own a chrony.....YET.) The Tactical Bonded on a quarter side by side with HST. (Captain Crunch.....yes this one is an Alabama quarter.) I am impressed with all these new offerings from Federal....so I guess what I carry will depend on how "Tactical" I feel that particular day. Comments welcome. Disclaimer: I know this is not a 'scientific' test. Anyone interseted in the 9mm variation of this test...see my next thread ....I will post it in about 10 minutes. -Tim Last edited by Smitty908; June 11th, 2007 at 05:04 PM.. Reason: To add theoretical velocities.

June 11th, 2007, 11:34 PM	#7
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 19,288	For me...any would do the job... Thanks for a great display... ret __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

June 12th, 2007, 01:40 AM	#8
Alien Nation Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 283	I can't wait to get my hands on some of the standard HST's. Cool thing is I'll always have my wonderful Gol Dots to fall back on. IMHO (for me anyways) the Gold Dots are what all other HP's are judged by. __________________ “You come at me with a sword and with a spear. But I come at you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you". 1 Samuel 17, 45-46 Brian

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June 11th, 2007, 05:43 PM	#2
paratroop23 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ft. Bragg Posts: 141	Excellent post!!! Definitely clears up some questions a had!! Thanks a bunch man!!

June 11th, 2007, 07:20 PM	#3
paratroop23 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ft. Bragg Posts: 141	My dillema------> Which ones will I carry! The HSTs look a little nastier, but I feel pretty confindent that the Tacs will make short work out of barriers! Decisions decision!!

June 11th, 2007, 07:35 PM	#4
DRT Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: usa Posts: 61	Any in the top row are great.

June 11th, 2007, 08:41 PM	#5
NoMercy New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 6	Nice work! Ive been interested in the HST's for a over a year now,but havent been able to find them. Thanks to your post's I got all pumped up over them and bought some at streichers. Now they're out of stock again! I will be checking their site to buy more. I love the HST's! Been doing some test of my own in our pool and the HST +p's expand really well!

June 11th, 2007, 08:52 PM	#6
nn VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NC Posts: 5,549	Now the controversy starts, one is as good as the other it seems.

June 13th, 2007, 10:37 AM	#9
paratroop23 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ft. Bragg Posts: 141	The HST, Tactical Bonded, and Gold Dots are all made by the same organization(ATK). I would be happy with all three. But at this current time I own both Tac Bonded and HST 230gr +P. I'm carrying the Bonded rounds now, and seriously considering trying to work the HSTs in rotation! Those HSTs look extremely nasty!! I haven't tested the Gold Dots for reliability through my pistols yet, but I've heard nothing but good things. www.le.atk.com

June 16th, 2007, 11:10 AM	#10
DRT Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: usa Posts: 61	The HST opens both larger and with higher reliability after encountering heavy clothing than gold dot. The bonded bullet only does better after safety glass whereas the HST does better in all other scenarios. HST aint bad through glass either. The HSTs also look to have a sharper upset profile than gold dot. If you have a thing for bonded bullets, go with the Fed Tactical over Gold Dot. Again, the Tactical round opens more reliably.