2 bullets for my carry gun compared

[358 WCF]

Shot these this afternoon from a 3 1/2" S&W 469. The 1st water filled gallon jug was at 10 feet. it was a light duty range day, so neither was chronographed today. The Norma was clocked at 1171fps @ 10' instrumental a few weeks ago. Norma spec is 1312fps. The Federal load may have been checked a long time ago, but I dont have the data. Federal says 1060fps @ the muzzle.

The propeller... the new Norma 108gr MHP completely penetrated the 2nd jug & was found laying on the bench. The 3rd jug was basically untouched. Dimension across the petals is .956" & .958". It weighs 106.6gr.

The more traditional shaped mushroom was an old Federal 135gr Hydra-Shok, from the tail end of the lot that I've been carrying in this pistol since about 2003. It completely penetrated 2 jugs & was found in the 3rd. Diameter was .598" on the small side & .632" on the large. It weighs 134.5gr.

 

[JD338]

Impressive. That propeller looks like it would be a blender to the clockworks.

JD338

 

[salmonchaser]

I would guess a bigger wound Chanel from the propeller. What is two jugs worth of penetration? 14 inches or so? We carried the federals in 40 and 45.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

That Norma bullet looks like it'd be pretty nasty!!

 

[bdbrown66]

Try the same test with the 124gr Federal HST (non +P). From what I've heard, it's better than the HydraShok. It's what I carry in my Sig P365.

 

[JD338]

The Federal HST is a great bullet. I carry the 230 gr HST in my Kimber 45 and both my wife and I carry 147 gr HST in our 9mm's.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

Those look deadly!

 

[358 WCF]

Jugs are 5 3/4" square & were all touching.

The Federal HS still looks pretty deadly for 20+ year old ammunition, but guessing the Norma load will be what I carry from now on. It does look kinda like a blender blade.

 

[KinleyWater]

They both look like they'd do whatever you'd ask of them. Seems like the velocity isn't much of a handicap, at least that 10 feet, but based on the extent of the expansion, I doubt 7 yards, or 27 yards would be a whole lot different.

 

[RL338]

That Norma would make a big hole in a hurry. Wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that one.

 

[diverdown]

The Federal HST is a great bullet. I carry the 230 gr HST in my Kimber 45 and both my wife and I carry 147 gr HST in our 9mm's.

JD338

The same for me Jim. I carry the 124 HST in my 9MM. All the testing done on this bullet instills a bit of confidence in what you carry.

 

[JD338]

The same for me Jim. I carry the 124 HST in my 9MM. All the testing done on this bullet instills a bit of confidence in what you carry.

Actually the 124 HST is what I had intended to carry but decided to go with the 147 HST since that is the load carried by the MI State Police.

JD338

 

[Wolfshead]

I carry the 124 hydraShok 9mm in my Shield plus.
I’m going to look into the 147 HST based on the conversation here.
im curious to know the differences between the two bullets.
That Norma looks pretty nasty. I would like to know the “stopping power” behind that one.