Opinions: Federal Personal Defense 115gr 38 spl hydrashok

G

glockorama

New member
Anybody have any knowledge of this non- +p round? I just purchased a box and wonder what others think of it. Supposedly it has low kick for faster follow-up shots, but still has substantial stopping power. I like the thought of using them in my model 36 snubby, but in a larger gun does it make that big of a difference between a +p load? Safer in dwellings? Waddyathink?:confused:
 
Just MHO, but I stay away from the lighter bullets, especially in a .38 special. Combine the light bullet with a fairly slow speed and I feel that lack of penetration becomes an issue.
 
I am of two minds on this one. Hydrashok supposedly expands better than standard jacketed hollowpoint, but then again I wonder why not +p and get better expansion and better penetration. The lighter bullet makes sense to me in light of the short barrel. You need all the velocity possible.
 
If I'm not mistaken the Federal Personal Defense round you're referring to is 110 grain. I've always used the non+P 125 grain Federal Nyclad round in my S&W 37 airweight due to it not being rated for +P a the time of its manufacture and these have always been rated quite highly for their intended purpose. As I understand it, Federal developed these Personal Defense rounds based on the most common scenario a civilian (non LEO) would be shooting a gun in, and that is a frontal short range shot without the hindrance of a barricade of some sort such as metal or glass. I would assume, and that can be a big mistake :rolleyes:, that Federal did extensive tests on this very scenario to come up with a load that would perform well under these circumstances. If I had to use a non +P load and was all out of Nyclads I think I would give them a try for accuracy and recoil control and if they passed those tests might continue using them depending on what else would be available.
 
Ya, the *110* personal defense non-plus-P has a lousy rep as being abnormally slow. Federal sometimes wimps out on the powder charge, this seemed to be a classic case. www.firearmstactical.com clocked some from a 2" S&W snubby around 725 - 750ish FPS, if I recall right. REALLY pathetic.

Now, if it really is a 115, maybe they updated it. But until I knew for sure, I wouldn't load 'em!

Stick with a plain lead +P 158grain hollowpoint unless you do a lot of study and find something better. That "old standby" works.
 
The 110 grain Federal PD non +P seems to be a good round for my S&W M&P. It was made in 1957 and therefore I stay with standard loadings. I will do accuracy and expansion tests next week and advise.Are ther any other non +P loading adequate for defense?
 
I carry them in my S&W model 38 Airweight Bodyguard. I have shot a couple of dogs and one deer with them and they worked like advertised. All 3 were victims of automobile hits. To badly injured to do anything but put them out of their misery. A quick radio msg to the judge and each were shot with one round in the head. I have no qualms about carrying them in my back up at all.
 
The accuracy of the 110 grain PP Federal had holes touching at 10 yards and about 3" low. The revolver was a S&W M&P made in 1957 and had a 4" barrel. Expansion tests are far from scientific. I filled a 5 gallon bucket of water and had two bath towels in the bottom.The bullet penetrated both towel but not the bottom.The shock blew the sides of the heavy plastic bucket out. The bullet weighed 94.5 grains after it was reteived. It expanded to 69X77 caliber.Shreds of the copper jacket were found in the towels.Distance was about 5 yards and shot straight down.
 
I have a 2" Taurus, and there is no reasonable difference between shooting .38 and .38+P. Just my opinion....
 
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