Opinions on Federal HST .380?

[DaveLikesGuns]

Hi,

I bought some federal HST ammo (not low recoil) Yesterday for my LCP II. Anyone have any opinions on the ammo, especially if you've shot it in an LCP II? I'm not carrying with this ammo yet, I need to get out to the range and put at least 1 box through the gun with no FTE issues. Then I'll carry with it....I guess I live on the wild side, I know many of you would have a lot more of a test than that.

Dave

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[DirectDrive]

Hi,

I bought some federal HST ammo (not low recoil) Yesterday for my LCP II. Anyone have any opinions on the ammo, especially if you've shot it in an LCP II? I'm not carrying with this ammo yet, I need to get out to the range and put at least 1 box through the gun with no FTE issues. Then I'll carry with it....I guess I live on the wild side, I know many of you would have a lot more of a test than that.

Dave

HST may well be the best available in 9mm and above.
It doesn't do so well in .380
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#380ACP
Hornady 90gr FTX seems to be a better choice for .380

 

[Glockman19]

That's what I was planning on carrying in my Kahr until I started researching. I now carry hornady FTX.

 

[CHLChris]

One of the awesome things about these Lucky Gunner tests are that it uses a real gun! It says the testing device was a G42, as opposed to some test barrel of 5-6", like BBTI sometimes uses.

I carry Speer Gold Dot 90gr, which were exceedingly consistent in their tests, but not great penetrators. The .380acp is a compromise, anyway, for when I value concealment over firepower.

 

[ikemay]

You might find this .380 ammo comparison video helpful, he does good work.

 

[Nick Burkhardt]

Kahr 380 pistols can be very pick about ammo so run a full box through it before carrying.

 

[Quartermaster]

HST may well be the best available in 9mm and above.
It doesn't do so well in .380
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#380ACP
Hornady 90gr FTX seems to be a better choice for .380

Tests on paper, meet the real world:

Kahr 380 pistols can be very pick about ammo so run a full box through it before carrying.

 

[Nick Burkhardt]

Other good options include XTP, Xtreme Defender or Xtreme Penetrator bullets

 

[mrblond]

you can also try the leahi stuff from Underwood. The bullet is suppose to be a 1st rate for penetration

 

[Pete F]

I shoot HSTs in my 9mm, 124 and 147 grain, and 230 grain in my .45 1911. I bought some for my W German Interarms PPK/s and they run just fine - not sure about the S&W variety. Unless you are shooting through 4 layers of denim, I would take the .380 HST every time. For winter, you might change to Gold Dot or Critical Defense.