165gr Hydra-Shok vs. 185gr. +P
- Thread starter smitty21
- Start date
Hoe 'bout 165+P?
I once used a 165gr Hydra-Shok to disuade a Rottweiler from his antisocial actions. IMHO the bullet was a failure. Despite a solid chest hit, the bullet fully penetrated without expanding. The Rotty lived, albeit with a more socially acceptable attitude.
Out of my OM, the velocity of the H-S was just to low to expand. I now carry CorBon 165gr+Ps. Haven't "tested" them though.
Yr. Obt. Svnt.
I once used a 165gr Hydra-Shok to disuade a Rottweiler from his antisocial actions. IMHO the bullet was a failure. Despite a solid chest hit, the bullet fully penetrated without expanding. The Rotty lived, albeit with a more socially acceptable attitude.
Out of my OM, the velocity of the H-S was just to low to expand. I now carry CorBon 165gr+Ps. Haven't "tested" them though.
Yr. Obt. Svnt.
If over-penetration is your primary concern, you might do well looking into Glaser Silver prefrangibles.
I have always been a fan Trition's Quick-Shok, and I do believe those are two of the bullet weights they offer. The bullet sheers into 3 pieces with a radial dispersion that cuts down on the overall penetration, while causing more trauma. Look into them, you might be impressed.
I have always been a fan Trition's Quick-Shok, and I do believe those are two of the bullet weights they offer. The bullet sheers into 3 pieces with a radial dispersion that cuts down on the overall penetration, while causing more trauma. Look into them, you might be impressed.
Pampers:
What is the minimum velocity for the 165gr Hydra Shok ammo to expand in flesh?
My current carry ammo in my Kimber Ultra Carry is the Federal's Personal Defense Ammo in 165gr JHP. According to my chrono, from my 3" barrel, this lot of ammo runs at 1,040fps which is a little faster than last lot which ran at 1,010fps. I would think anything above 1,000fps would be fast enough for this bullet design to expand.
What is the minimum velocity for the 165gr Hydra Shok ammo to expand in flesh?
My current carry ammo in my Kimber Ultra Carry is the Federal's Personal Defense Ammo in 165gr JHP. According to my chrono, from my 3" barrel, this lot of ammo runs at 1,040fps which is a little faster than last lot which ran at 1,010fps. I would think anything above 1,000fps would be fast enough for this bullet design to expand.
BrokenArrow
New member
The 165 HS/PDA seems to expand just fine in all the tests I've seen. It is on the short side of penetration for some folks though (less than 12 in in bare gel). From less than 4.25 in bbls, have seen some tests where it expanded better than the 185 +Ps.
Wouldn't read too much into one failure either. Can give ya examples of failures to expand and/or stop from the 165/40, 230/45 Gold Dot, 230/45 HS/GS w the cops here for example.
Wouldn't read too much into one failure either. Can give ya examples of failures to expand and/or stop from the 165/40, 230/45 Gold Dot, 230/45 HS/GS w the cops here for example.
Shawn Dodson
Moderator
They either didn't expand or under-expanded when I tested them in denim covered gelatin with a Glock 30. Penetration exceeded 18 inches. I didn't recover any bullets.
I'm beginning to believe some HydraShok calibers are a poor choice for short barreled handguns. It appears clothing gets caught on the post and inhibits expansion performance.
Shawn Dodson
Moderator
How 'bout aggressive jello that's wearing four denim jackets? 
Unfortunately ordnance gelatin is the only realistic soft tissue simulant presently available. Some people tend to confuse or mischaracterize the purpose of testing in gelatin -- to observe how a bullet is likely to perform when it penetrates soft tissues, and to observe the bullet's wounding potential. The results observed in ordnance gelatin provide a reasonable indication of the bullet's terminal mechanical performance characteristics in soft tissues as well as wounding effect.
If a bullet is recovered from a human body that didn't perform in a similar manner to how it performed in ordnance gelatin, then one should examine why, by looking at the factors involved that affected its performance. This usually requires consideration of all the objects the bullet encountered from the time it exited the muzzle until it stopped in the body. Barrel length of the handgun from which the bullet was fired is also a critical factor to consider.
Unfortunately ordnance gelatin is the only realistic soft tissue simulant presently available. Some people tend to confuse or mischaracterize the purpose of testing in gelatin -- to observe how a bullet is likely to perform when it penetrates soft tissues, and to observe the bullet's wounding potential. The results observed in ordnance gelatin provide a reasonable indication of the bullet's terminal mechanical performance characteristics in soft tissues as well as wounding effect.
If a bullet is recovered from a human body that didn't perform in a similar manner to how it performed in ordnance gelatin, then one should examine why, by looking at the factors involved that affected its performance. This usually requires consideration of all the objects the bullet encountered from the time it exited the muzzle until it stopped in the body. Barrel length of the handgun from which the bullet was fired is also a critical factor to consider.
lonegunman
New member
I dont like the muzzle blast and increased recoil of 45 +P ammo, especially in short, light guns.
As far as JHPs go, I like Hydrashock 230 g for full sized guns and Remington Golden Saber 185 g for short barrels.
That being said, I dont think there is too much fault you can find with good ol' 230g hardball. Overpenetration is usually not a bad thing anyway.
As far as JHPs go, I like Hydrashock 230 g for full sized guns and Remington Golden Saber 185 g for short barrels.
That being said, I dont think there is too much fault you can find with good ol' 230g hardball. Overpenetration is usually not a bad thing anyway.
Archer1440
New member
I carry the Federal 185+P Hydra Shok in my USP .45c's. My tests have satisfied me that it is a better round than the 165 "personal defense" load.
-Muzzle flash of both is similar
-Recoil of both is similar in this pistol
-Accuracies are both good
However, the 165 simply does not expand as consistently in all of my tests. I think this may be because the 165 is mostly zinc, not lead.
The 230 grain HS round also works fine in the USP C.
-Muzzle flash of both is similar
-Recoil of both is similar in this pistol
-Accuracies are both good
However, the 165 simply does not expand as consistently in all of my tests. I think this may be because the 165 is mostly zinc, not lead.
The 230 grain HS round also works fine in the USP C.