[iagbarrb]

Hy folks,

In my search for ammo, because find ammo in this country is sometimes almost impossible, I have purchased 100 bullets, which had an appearance I had never seen. Searching the INTERNET, I have found out this are Hydra Shock 9x19 Federal premium.

At the federal home page, I can see three different kinds of the same bullets, but I am not able to find out which of the tree bullets I have purchased. All look the same in the pictures, So I guess I have to weigh the bullets. I have a small balance that is able to weigh in steps of 0,1 grams, but no grains.

Please help me with following: Is it possible to know the exact kind of the bullet by weight? How?

Are the bullets good and safe?

Thank you.

iagbarrb

 

[oldgranpa]

If there is any way you could post some photos of the bullets/rounds maybe we could tell you better. Doubt any of us have much data on weights.
HydraShok bullets normally have a small pin inside the bullet, part of the design.
og

 

[iagbarrb]

Hy oldgranpa,

thanks for the reply.

My camera is out of battery, but the link for the picture is http://www.federalpremium.com/ballistics/Ammo_Search.aspx?act=choose&firearm=2&s1=1

I hope this helps.

But it seems to be that I have discovered which one of the Hydra Shocks I have.

The bullet I have is the federal premium P9HS2 It is Hydra Shock, with the pin inside the bullet.

I have found out how to know how many grains has your unknown bullet:

It is weight in grams minus 4

My bullets Federal premium bullet weighs 13,5 grams. minus 4 grams makes 9.5 grams this is a very approximated value.

Hydra shock of 147 grains is the P9HS2

I have found it out weighing a Mag tech.

I have a known 8.03 gram (124 grain) 9B 9mm mag tech luger. It weighs 12,5 grams. minus 4. grams makes 8.5 grams, what corresponds to the weight of the bullet.

Now tell me if I am right:

The geco bullet weighs 9,9 grams - 4 grams makes 5,9 grams (Approx 90 grains?) the error is 6 grains, so I guess I have discovered a way to calculate an unknown bullet.

I am sure there is a better way to do that. Maybe someone can tell us how.

But are the hydra shock good bullets? safe? Do you like those?

greetings.

iagbarrb

 

[lelandray]

I'm assuming you have loaded ammunition, not just bullets?

First off, check the headstamp on the cases. If there's a +P designation, this is ammunition which is loaded to higher pressure levels than standard loads. In guns of good quality, a few +P rounds won't hurt.

One gram equals 15.4324 grains, so a 124-grain bullet will weigh 8.035 grams. I believe that Hydra Shoks are manufactured in 115, 124 and (possibly) in 135-grain weights. (I totally forgot about the 147. I've never used them.)

Again, if you have Federal factory ammunition, with or without the +P designation, shooting 100 rounds through a well made handgun shouldn't cause any problems.

 

[oldgranpa]

OK iagbarrb, looks like you have some good HydraShok ammo. Another question....do you have just the bullets for reloading or do you have loaded cartridges?
If loaded cartridges, do what Leland just told you.
Otherwise, if you have just the bullets for reloading, we need twoguns in here to help you out.
Let us know.
og

 

[iagbarrb]

The cartridges are loaded ones.

Just wait a couple of weeks for the reloading. In some weeks my reloading mashine will be here. Then, I will fill this forum with plenty of questions.

 

[oldgranpa]

Very good. Let us know how the ammo fires. Then when you get ready to reload, be sure to post in the Reloading Forum. The moderator there, twoguns, can give you some help.
Cheers,
og

 

[twoguns]

Howdy iagbarrb,

Hello my friend, I am glad to hear you were able to get the 147gr HS rounds. I have been issued this bullet in the past as a carry round, and think it will be a fine defensive round for you sir.

I understand that you have very limited choices on the loaded ammunition you are allowed to purchase. So finding the 147 gr HS were a good find in my opinion. If you have the chance in the future, the 124gr HS might be slightly better for self defense if you want less weight moving a little faster. But again, I would not hesitate to trust my life to the 147gr HS, especially given your limited ammo options there. Some people simply like to have a little more bullet weight moving a little slower in a 9mm load. So it is simply a matter of what each person prefers I think really. That is why the company offers different loads with various weights. As a general rule, think of it as being the lighter the bullet the faster its muzzle velocity will likely be.

When you obtain your reloading equipment, please feel free to ask all the questions you have. I am certain all of our members in the reloading room will be happy to help you out in answering your questions and offering suggestions/tricks we have discovered. Especially if you are limited in your choices of powders, many of our reloaders have many reference manuals, and may be able to help you with reloading data you seek.

I think I may have mentioned this in a pm to you. But in case I did not, let me just suggest when you have the option to purchase loaded ammunition, I would suggest that any of the following brands are good ones to consider: Federal Hydra-Shok, Speer Gold Dot, Remington Golden Saber, Winchester Ranger SXT, and Hornady XTP. I may have forgotten a brand or two, so others should feel free to offer their favorites to help our foreign friend out too.

But these are commonly carried by many law enforcment officers in our country, and are all generally regarded as reliable performers. So if the opportunity arises for you to purchase any of these, I think you would want to buy them.

When you have the chance to shoot a few, please let us know what you think of them.

Hopefully you will be able to shoot a few through both your HP and you new pistol when it arrives as well.

twoguns

 

[iagbarrb]

Thanks for the post.

I am very happy with the Hydra Shock bullets, but it is even better that I live in a country where the possibilities for needing a weapon for self defense are extreme low. I think I am going to keep the bullets for the eventual what if, and to show up with the guys at the range. And fire a couple to see how the bullets react.

The loaded ammunition we can purchase, when available is the mag tech 9B FMJ 124 grains bullets Brazilian made, bullets that are imported by the army here. Here is the link I've found for this ammo, http://www.magtechammunition.com/sitepag....searc h=details

But what now comes to my mind is how relevant is the speed and power of a bullet, which I think is to be discussed as a new thread, because it is something I have no idea.

Thanks a lot for the comments.

Hope there will be more posts about the Hydra shock.

 

[pff]

I've carried the 147gr Hydrashok in my G19 starting about 1990 or 91 and haven't seen fit to change yet. Still have part of a case left from those days. When its gone I'll prolly change to something newer, but there's nothing wrong with the old HydraShok design.


Regards,

Pat

 

[iagbarrb]

Today I fired some 147 Hydra Shock against IPSC metal poppers and classic targets.
Very accurate bullets. We had strong wind this morning. When they hit the metal poppers, the bullets made a hard clink, like a small explosion. On the classical target, under strong wind, they grouped better than 124 ans 115 grains classic bullets. Maybe because they are heavy.

I liked the bullets very much, but I will keep them now as defense ammo.

 

[oldgranpa]

iagbarrb, congratulations on your successful study of your new ammunition. Your hard, careful work paid off for you. It always makes all of us happy when someone accomplishes what you have.
Cheers,
og

 

[twoguns]

Howdy Mr. Iagbarrb,

I am glad you were able to do some shooting with your newly acquired 147gr HS sir. I am even happier to hear you are impressed with their performance. That should give you even more confidence when they are loaded in your pistols for self-defense purposes.

Hopefully you will never need them, but I am glad you have them now, just in case.

twoguns

 

[iagbarrb]

Yep.

I can imagine what a Hydra Shock can do to a bad guy when I heard the small explosion on the metal popper. Ouch!! Seems to be that tis are mean bullets. I wonder if the bullets are fully legal.