9mm federal hst 147gr vs. federal hst 124 gr

I never understood the point of a comparatively small/medium sized bullet going slow being better than one going another 300fps faster, as it was intended.

If you want to shoot a .38 Special, by all means, go ahead, but there is a reason they came out with a .357 Magnum and it's top load isn't all that far off from a 124+P 9mm (when being fired from a short barrel of course...)
 
I don't understand why when you loose 200fps(far more accurate # and less than 20%) while gaining 20% more mass in the process, is somehow an important amount. but giving up the same nearly 20% of velocity with the same weight bullet is written off as nothing cause it's about the same.
 
If the 147 meets or exceeds the old .38 FBI load, from 4" or longer barrels, it will be plenty. With today's bullets there is every indication that it will do just that. I guess it's a matter of whether you favor expansion or penetration.

My experience is that handguns do their work by knocking holes through stuff that matters. If the results aren't coming fast enough to suit you, that 'Reapply' switch right under your finger will bring about the desired result.
 
Energy is important because it gives you how much "oomf" the bullet has behind it to do the work that the bullet is designed to do. If the bullet is a fast expander, more energy will help it expand more.....if the bullet is a deep penetrator, more energy will help it penetrate deeper.

Energy is an important thing....but it's not the only thing....
 
JROD102 said:
I personally tend to gravitate toward the 124gr as 147 I think to heavy for the 9mm cartridge to try to push,... well. 147 is I believe considered a sub-sonic round, which explains its over penetration and non-expansion.
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Why do you say that the Federal HST 147 grain over-penetrates and does not expand? Please show me a test where in calibrated 10% ballistic gel, it went more than 18 inches deep and did not expand.
 
dean1197: said:
Any input onto the pros and cons of each, and ultimately, which would you recommend?
I would like to go with 147gr, but i've heard (keep in mind heard) things about them.
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I'd recommend the 147s. For any given expanded diameter and impact speed, the bullet with the highest sectional density will offer the greatest penetration.

dean1197: said:
1. The first being that i've heard they over penetrate, which concerns me because not all of the bullets energy is being displaced into the target like it should be, and I wouldn't be surprised if this is true.
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If they expand correctly, both the 124s and the 147s will stop well short of the 18" mark. If they don't expand correctly, both will act like an FMJ amd likely pass completely through a human body.

dean1197: said:
2. Another thing i've heard is that the bullets themselves lack the necessary velocity to expand reliably in the target.
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That might've been the case in the early 90s, but it isn't now. Pick a premium design- HST, PDX1, Gold Dot, Ranger T, etc- and both weights (124 & 147 grain) of JHP will perform well.

dean1197: said:
So, between the 2 which would you guys recommend (my primary question) and also, is there any validity to my 2 assumptions concerning the 147 gr. listed above.
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Not any more.

Either weight is fine. I generally 'default' to heavy-for-caliber JHPs regardless of caliber. That means 147s for the 9, 180s for the .40/10mm, and 230s for the .45.

OTOH, if all I had was premium 9mm 124 gr JHPs, I'd carry them, too and feel just fine about it.
 
Both good rounds. I like mid-weight +P or +P+ roundsin general. Good balance of penetration and expansion in the 124gr. +P. But I have 147gr. HST's in non +P and +P. They actually open up about the same as the 124's and usually go a little deeper. Old advice but I would see which feed through my gun the best and was the most accurate. Their really is no bad choice here and I would carry the 124 +P's or either of the 147gr. loads without a worry. The HST is a superb load in any caliber.
 
Didn't see the original post was 2 years old. The 9mm HST's in 147gr. do not overpenetrate like the older 147gr. bullets. And expand nearly perfectly. Still alot of bad stuff on line about the older 147gr. rounds that often did not open up and acted like FMJ rounds. The 147gr. HST, Gold Dots, and Rangers do very well in performance and are in fact preferred over the lighter bullets by many LE organizations and civilian professionals alike. Good performance with less recoil than some of the +P or +P+ loads. Plus they aren't as hard on the guns or shooters.
 
I'm always concerned with flash and noise. The 147's are a LOT quieter, especially when fired in the house.:D .............................
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124s without a doubt. It's the only weight I use for 9mm now other than my existing stockpile, which includes a few 147s and plenty of 115s of various types.
 
124 grain vs 147 Federal Hydrashok-HST

Having watched countless videos of ballistic gel test as well as water filled milk jugs both with and without a number of denim sheets of covering and many post made on several firearm forums. I'll have to go with the Federal Premium 124 grain 9mm HST hands down on overall performance including FBI's standard for penetration min and max, plus excellent expansion. But, I'll have to admit though in my many years of experience, several major brands and types of 9mm ammo can stop an assault with proper shot placement. In my years in law enforcement I have seen and investigated far more homicides that were committed with a 22 long or 22 long rifle ammo than any other ammo combined. Shotgun caused deaths resulted in massive injuries needless to say, but small calibers such as 22, 32 and 25 auto's have been the weapons of choice. Now that all goes back to the mid to late 60's. Ammo and firearms have changed considerably since the.
 
I use 147 grain XTPs. They are hard to expand at lower velocities so I use the Underwood +P+ version of it. I really don't care how much excess energy might be wasted with deeper penetration. If there is a .50 or .60 caliber expanded bullet hole exiting the bad guy all the better to stop him. I like heavy for caliber at light for caliber speed in all my handguns. If I were to worry about "over penetration" I would just hit the assailant with a 2x4.
 
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