doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Opinions on Fed Hydra-Shok for home defense?

Just picked up a box of Federal Premium Low Recoil 110gr. Hydra-Shok JHP for my .38 Spl. Anyone have views on this load for home defense?

My S&W Model 49 isn't rated for +P loads, and heavy loads make a second tap tougher with a snubby. But is a 110gr. 'low recoil' load enough to stop a bad guy?

I don't want to agonize over bullet weight but if you have to shoot somebody, low recoil will let you put two of those rounds in the chest. An additional shot to the teeth will help. I'm not kidding.

I have them in my Ruger GP100 in .357 MAG. That load penetrates 24 inches into ballistic gelatin and that is surely enough for me. Problem is, here in Massachusetts these loads along with Black Talon ammunition are considered "excessive force" and may land us in big trouble in court being charged with "mayhem."

But, whatever it takes to put the bad guy out of commission quickly is my ammo.

My carry gun in 40 S&W is stuffed with Hydra-Shoks. Fortunately at this point I have no first hand knowledge of their effectiveness. They are highly rated however and that's why I carrry them.
As an aside I was born and raised in Massachusetts and IMO if you have a brain,and I expect you do if you post here, you should consider relocating. I was there about a month ago visiting relatives and felt like I was in a third world country.
Jim

I have no idea of there effectiveness on two legged creatures but I did shoot a jack rabbit with the 110 grain once with a model 36 and it certainly killed the rabbit. I've always heard that the old 158 LHP was a good performer in the snubbies, but this was probably a +P load.

What makes Mass seem like a Third World country?

I'll give you an example of what makes Texas seem like a Third World country - I take my wife and kids to the mall (first mistake) on a Saturday evening and we are often the only white family there.

The most proven nixing load in this kal. was develped in early 70s. It is 158gr+P lead semi-wadcutter hp available as Federal 'Classic' load.

I feel that way often but I don't care a hoot about skin color, however their attitude and the language they speak with no attempt at proficiency in English is what makes my skin crawl.

Mr. Maloney, I believe Hydra-Shok bullets have always had a good reputation. My wife carries a lightweight .38 and we keep her loaded up with 110 gr bullets. With the reduced velocity in that caliber I wouldn't go heavier unless shooting +P or +P+ loads. I have no doubt that if you empty a cylinder full of 110 grain Hydra-Shoks into the bad guy's chest his ticket will have been punched.


Return to battery is very important, particularly if using something at close range that is often not a one-shot stopper. I carry a .357 which is setup somewhat like a comp gun with a ported barrel with compensator. That keeps the muzzle down but there is a trade-off. In a dark house with that amount of flash it would take a few seconds for the eyes to re-adjust and the noise would be downright brutal. That's a price I am willing to pay for knowing that I have plenty of gun for the job.

Skip

GregSY:
If I candidly answered that question here I'd probably be banned. I will ask you this. What do you envision when the concept of a third world country comes into you present thought? That's what Massachusetts is like today. Enough said.
Jim