.38 special Hydra Shok 129gr vs. FBI Loads 158 gr

Doug.38PR · December 8, 2005, 12:18 AM

Which is a better round for winter carry the Hydrashok or FBI load. I'm told that hollowpoints have been known to be unable to get through thick wet coats in the wintertime. Hydrashoks are designed to over come this...so I'm told.
Is the coat problem true of all hollowpoints or does it vary or what.
Opinions?

Gary L. Griffiths · December 8, 2005, 12:57 PM

Generally, heavier bullets give better penetration, all things being equal. However all things (velocity) aren't. The FBI loads are hot, though, and I would think, would give somewhat better penetration than the Hydra-Shoks.

Any HP design is subject to being plugged with clothing, although the newer premium designs, (Hydra-Shok, Gold Dot, Golden Sabre, Ranger T, XTP) are designed to minimize the effects of clothing. Remember, though, even if the bullet plugs up and doesn't expand, it'll still punch a .357 caliber hole that will ruin the bad guy's whole day.

atlctyslkr · June 25, 2006, 04:20 PM

I don't see how a think wet coat could be any worse than a few think wet phone books.

A popular FBI load:
Winchester 38 Special +P 158 gr. Super-X® Lead Semi-Wad Cutter HP
says Velocity (fps) 890 Energy (ft.lbs.) 278 at muzzle

Federal 38 SPECIAL +P HYDRA-SHOK JHP
Velocity (fps) 950 Energy (ft.lbs.) 258 at muzzle

So I guess the FBI Load has it. Data on Remmington's would be nice but they don't show the ballistics on their site.

A JHP will act like a FMJ on some materials.

CobrayCommando · June 26, 2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

I don't see how a think wet coat could be any worse than a few think wet phone books.

9mm FMJ bullets, even out of an SMG, can bounce off of wet wool coats.

NukemJim · June 26, 2006, 08:36 PM

Quote:

9mm FMJ bullets, even out of an SMG, can bounce off of wet wool coats.

Just curious, what kind of coat was that ? and what kind of distance was utilized and how was the shot "angled" ?

Thank you

NukemJim

December 8, 2005, 12:18 AM	#1
Doug.38PR Junior member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Posts: 3,298	.38 special Hydra Shok 129gr vs. FBI Loads 158 gr Which is a better round for winter carry the Hydrashok or FBI load. I'm told that hollowpoints have been known to be unable to get through thick wet coats in the wintertime. Hydrashoks are designed to over come this...so I'm told. Is the coat problem true of all hollowpoints or does it vary or what. Opinions?

December 8, 2005, 12:57 PM	#2
Gary L. Griffiths Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Location: AZ, WA Posts: 1,466	Generally, heavier bullets give better penetration, all things being equal. However all things (velocity) aren't. The FBI loads are hot, though, and I would think, would give somewhat better penetration than the Hydra-Shoks. Any HP design is subject to being plugged with clothing, although the newer premium designs, (Hydra-Shok, Gold Dot, Golden Sabre, Ranger T, XTP) are designed to minimize the effects of clothing. Remember, though, even if the bullet plugs up and doesn't expand, it'll still punch a .357 caliber hole that will ruin the bad guy's whole day. __________________ Violence is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and valorous feeling which believes that nothing is worth violence is much worse. Those who have nothing for which they are willing to fight; nothing they care about more than their own craven apathy; are miserable creatures who have no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the valor of those better than themselves. Gary L. Griffiths (Paraphrasing John Stuart Mill)

June 25, 2006, 04:20 PM	#3
atlctyslkr Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 613	I don't see how a think wet coat could be any worse than a few think wet phone books. A popular FBI load: Winchester 38 Special +P 158 gr. Super-X® Lead Semi-Wad Cutter HP says Velocity (fps) 890 Energy (ft.lbs.) 278 at muzzle Federal 38 SPECIAL +P HYDRA-SHOK JHP Velocity (fps) 950 Energy (ft.lbs.) 258 at muzzle So I guess the FBI Load has it. Data on Remmington's would be nice but they don't show the ballistics on their site. A JHP will act like a FMJ on some materials.