Gel test Results
In hopes of giving ourselves and our customers a better idea how this 38 Special self-defense ammo would perform if called upon in a self-defense scenario, we tested dozens of the best selling hollow points on the market.
We fired five rounds of this Federal Ammunition 38 Special ammo through a cloth barrier into Clear Ballistics calibrated synthetic gelatin and recorded the results. For these tests, we used a S&W 640 with a 2.125-inch barrel. In the photos, graphics and video on this page, you can see specifically how the Federal Ammunition ammo performed and how it sticks up with the rest of the 38 Special ammo we have tested so far.
To read more about our testing procedures and discover what round makes the best self-defense ammo for you head to this page.
Unfired versus Fired Round Comparison
20rds - 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok 129gr. +P HP Ammo Gel Test Results
| Median | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet Depth (in.) | 18 | 19 | 19.4 | 19.5 | 21.9 |
| Expanded Diameter (in.) | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.36 |
| Bullet Weight after shot (gr.) | 128.2 | 128.3 | 128.4 | 128.5 | 129 |
| Bullet Velocity (fps) | 775 | 806 | 834 | 838 | 889 |
The Reviews
Why Shooters and Hunters love or hate 20rds - 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok 129gr. +P HP Ammo
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posted on by
great ammo Great price
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posted on by
These are better than people give them credit for in every caliber. This particular 38 spl load I tested from a snub nose in wetpack and it performed well, with about 9 inches of penetration and really good expansion, better than the Speer GD 125 grain I compared it to. It would do even better from a 3 or 4 inch barrel. I would not hesitate to carry this round.
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posted on by
Federal Hydrashocks are some of the best rounds out there. The quality of these rounds cannot be matched by others. This is displayed by how hard they are to find. Thank you ammunitiontogo for helping find ammo that is scarce these days.
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posted on by
Use this round in my Colt Python with excellent results.very accurate and lot easier to handle then the 357 with almost the same stopping power .I also use it for home defense
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posted on by
Have used this ammo from Federal many times, always with excellent results.
