9mm 124 gr Federal HYDRA-SHOK Ammo Review

[@STARZFAN31]

Hydroshock ammo performs quite well. Ive used it for years and even carried it while doing police work. Consistent expansion, good penetration without over penetrating, and a good wound channel. These rounds are still around because they are still very effective.

[@blackmask6305]

No way a person will be alive with these

[@taraswertelecki9886]

Indeed they are, I would carry them in my EDC pistol.

[@1969darr]

So how many persons have you shot and examined? You are full of Joe Biden!

[@Achilles_696]

Those 9mm 124 grain hydra-shok's have been around since I was a kid, I'm 35 now.. it was the first hollow point I ever shot, it's a great round hands down.

[@dont9380]

These are what I have and I see no reason to change.

[@charlesaldridge5584]

Very good video! As a MPDC officer, I carried these as a service load for years without ever having to 'deploy' them on other than paper targets. Out of both my issued Glock 17 and privately owned Glock 19, they displayed superior accuracy.

[@bradwhite4827]

I've said it before and I have to say it again! Thankyou for all of these videos you have made over the years. The outcome of these ammo test are huge to so many of us that don't have the time and place to do this ourselves! Its huge knowing what all this ammo does. I carried these hydroshocks in the early 2000s for several yrs and thankfully never had to use one. But its nice knowing that its still a decent round even though I have the hsts in my stuff as well nowadays. Can't thank you enough good sir!

[@D5quared91]

LOVED the 3 bullets test vs. the 1 bullet test. Adds the variable of expansion reliability into the equation, at least to some extent. Awesome test!

[@michaeltruhett4170]

This is certainly older technology, there certainly is better bullets, but the reality is that the hydrashocks would still give a bad guy a real severe case of heartburn and Maalox isn't going to fix it. It'll put holes in a bad guy where he doesn't have or need any to stay healthy. There's no perfect bullets or perfect calibers and if this is what I had to shoot, I wouldn't be worried about it. It's a damn sight better than being unarmed. Thank you bunches for your videos and stay safe. Michael Truhett U.S.C.G. Veteran Semper Paratus 🇺🇸

[@dr.s.kaya.3133]

Alright , lets take a swim then Flipper the Dolphin GEN. United seas swimmer. Smoking cuban sigar🇨🇺

[@wizardofahhhs759]

Plain ol' ball ammo will kill a person just as dead. I couldn't care less about expansion, depth of penetration, blah, blah, blah. ALL bullets can and will kill if placed in the head or chest area. The point is to be the last man standing.

[@ghostman9251]

WizardofAhhhs 75 that is exactly what I think.

[@pharaohgxdmxd3314]

Appreciate your service Mr Truhett

[@michaeltruhett4170]

PHARAOH GxDMxD3 It was my honor to serve and thank you for writing to me!

[@loydta]

I'm 56 live in KY and have handgun hunted all my life, mainly with the 44 mag. I'm a handloader and for many years used only Hornady XTP's in the 240 flavor, over maximum charges of 296. These are deer pills of the highest degree. I carry a 40 S&W and 180 HST's exclusively after a few crude expansion test and one deer taken at a step or two past 25 yards. The recovered bullet convinced me that it would be my bullet of choice for both carry and hunting if Federal would just introduce it as a component for my 44. I like the original Hydra-shok ammo, but the HST is a winner hands down in my book. Glad your back and better and really enjoy the education you provide. Best of luck.

[@Pmedic605]

Thank you for taking the time and giving the effort to make these ammo tests. Your tests are the benchmark, and you should know many people appreciate what you do.

[@AnonZero0]

Good to have you back doing ammo testing!

[@RKHarm24]

I really like the revisited ammo tests. Hydra-Shok was the basis of modern ATK Industry bullets. HST and GDHP are great bullets, but the old man, HS bullet still has it. It's the genetics. Really good to have you back. Sure your family agrees too.

[@ikeman1973]

I carry this ammo EVERYDAY, thanks for showing me it works!!

[@SniperKing029]

My absolutely favorite 9mm ammo! Great performance and reliability. I trust it

[@alexprince1305]

So impressed on how meticulous and precise with the data you give! keep up the vids. I've bought all types of ammo after watching your reviews!

[@MagsZ4U]

So glad to see your doing much better after your hospital stay over the winter. Welcome back and please take care of yourself!

[@bryced32]

Happy to see the ammo reviews again. Thanks.

[@chrisvinson920]

I always enjoy and look forward to your ammo reviews. Thanks for taking the time, money and effort in making these videos. Your videos have helped me make my decision as to what ammo to carry. Thanks again.

[@michaeldrhoades]

Awesome seeing an ammo video again! Good to see your recovering

[@mcq5138]

It's actually a pretty darn good round. Good tests.... great video. Thanks.

[@kwharris79]

It's really great to have you back. I have been a follower for a long time and appreciate your hard work to make these tests relevant, but please don't over do it. Be smart and take care of your self. I want you to be around to test ammo for my grand kid's guns.

[@ZachBillings]

Really like the 3-round test format. I'd like to see more multi-shot tests in future. Maybe 2 denim and 2 bare in one block?

[@MrAwesomeglock]

Nice to see you back fully. I am glade to see you made a full recovery. It's been a long winter without your videos. Welcome back.

[@scubaguy007]

Back in the late 80’s early 90’s Hydra-shock was the round to carry. It got a good reputation very quickly as I remember.

[@evilassaultweaponeer]

How can anyone complain about that performance?

[@kennethpowers8995]

Because it only happens bi weekly

[@flightparamedic505]

These bullets performed nicely. Impressed I am

[@RobertJones-ne6qr]

These rounds do exactly what they were designed to do, quite effectively, I'm glad I had them in my pistol.

[@tomparker8932]

Your vids are ALWAYS informative, scientific approach and will miss you if this is what you've done. Anyway i use the hydroshok and believe they are substantial in both expansion and penetration. Like dad used to say "someone usually thinks twice when confronted with the business end of a gun" thanx man....

[@xtremearmor]

Excellent ballistics review. Thanks for doing this review on the Hydra-Shock. I have seen more of these lately and they seem to expand okay. However, for now I will stick with Winchester PDX1 124gr.+P. You did an awesome job reviewing this ammo. It is great to see you posting videos again.

[@eyesky31]

I agree with some of the other comments here in that, I really like the three round test. Hope to see more of that, and glad to see you're back on your feet (so to speak) !

[@opmike343]

I know there are some challenges, but I think this three-shot method you used here will be give us a much more representative sample of what a given cartridge is capable of. Great reviews as always.

[@tiggerr42431]

Always good science we honor you for on all these videos. The comparison between the first and third was especially interesting. Very clear close up views. Welcome back and may this summer have you feeling even better.

[@yt_life1610]

I refer to your videos when ever I get a new cal. handgun. You have saved me a lot of guess work and probably money. Currently i carry standard pressure hst in 40 and 9mm. Thank you for the great videos! Recently after hearing good things, I purchased a couple boxes of Hornady American Gunner in .380. I hear Rumers of great penatration (for the caliber) and reliable expansion. Not much on KZbin atm.

[@TXetc]

Hey, I won't volunteer to stand in front of one! Personally I carry Hornady Critical Duty +P's thanks to your excellent review on those and love them!

[@heyoldtime8969]

Glad to see this review. I have been a fan of the Hydro Shok bullet since the early 1990s Still a top performer .

[@nelsonr1467]

Lol no it's not. Must be a boomer.

[@jordanwiser4192]

@@nelsonr1467 it's not underperforming that's for sure

[@scottmitchell2639]

I always liked your channels. Please don't quit

[@innoprog]

WHO dislikes this stuff? Geez a well-spoken adult with facts and factual studies, just giving data and without sounding like a robot... I came here to see what the rounds I just bought, will do. This is as comprehensive as it gets next to "the real thing." Great video man!

[@forrest8507]

My dad swore by it, i use it. I have some critical defense too, typically carry this though

[@gray.photography4839]

This ammo saved my life. I'll always carry Hydra-Shok. Hope to never have to use it again.. But, I have the peace of mind in knowing that this ammo works.

[@dougs3909]

Glad youre still with us! Sorry to hear you had to put em to the test🎉

[@gray.photography4839]

@dougs3909 thank you Doug! This happened in 2016 and the PTSD has me all sorts of messed up still.

[@dougs3909]

Traumas a motherfucker. Stay strong brother

[@zarinkai2927]

People are so hard to plz nowadays. This bullet is devastation. Period.

[@randlerichardson5826]

Kibito Kai you cant please everybody. Do what’s good for you and let the rest fend for themselves. That’s how I do it. GOD BLESS.

[@sbentsen2714]

I certainly wouldn't want to get hit with that, no way.

[@iiiiii7680]

@@sbentsen2714 I wouldnt want to get hit with any shot, even a ..22

[@tinypanther3320]

It’s my favorite kind of self protection bullet lol

[@jadenbuchhop3825]

What are you talking about? In my opinion he gave it a positive review, he just said he wouldn't replace what he is currently using.

[@motogun1040]

Well, fast and no beating around the bush review. like your style sir

[@Curlee187]

Great to see you making videos again. I appreciate the time and effort you put into these videos. Thank you.

[@tymanG19fan]

Tom no mater who comes after your the all time best! Thanks for doing what you do

[@cellularrhino]

Well this makes me feel better about using Hydra-Shok in 2022. Albeit I use 147g Hydra-Shok because I just like heavier bullets. I like to shoot a mag of my defensive ammo every time I go to the range and have been using Hydra-Shok opposed to better loads like HST and Gold Dot becuause its usually significantly cheaper. Recently been wondering if thats a mistake since its an old design and not considered good but based on what I see here its a very viable defensive load. One of the loads I considered switching to was Winchester Hex-Vent and your video on those saved me that mistake too. Great job on the videos, I really appreciate the consistency and adherence to a testing doctrine.

[@KWAT6]

tnoutdoors is back in the game baby!!!!

[@fuggleeartshow]

Really liked the 3 shot format. Thanks for taking the extra time for those extra shots.

[@mikewatts101]

It is great to have you back!! You always do a good and fair job evaluating ammunition. Keep up the good work.

[@streetpoet01]

***** I just wanted to say thanks for all the years of excellent videos! I recently made the decision to change my EDC from the G23 to the G19 and I will always come back to your videos as a reference for choosing my defense ammo!

[@doro19]

Happy to see you back, brother. I've sincerely missed you and your contribution to my "Everything About Guns" addiction.

[@Jesses001]

I still have a lot of these around here. I plan on keeping them for a while. They seem very consistent.

[@GunFunZS]

Good to have you back. Also, I like the multiple shot format. I think that gives us better impression of the consistency of performance.

[@craighofmann5227]

I still love this round. I have tested it in 9, 40, 38+P, 357 mag and 45 in 165gr, 185gr, 230gr both +P and standard pressure myself and have had some great results. I've shot it through an old winter coat, denim and bare ballistic gel. I have never had a failure to expand. However, I have had jacket separation but the jacket was right next to the lead core.

[@thestingyham1188]

Welcome back! Hope you are feeling better! Nice to see a dependable low-recoil 9mm load which is easy to find.

[@xZENxSAMURAIx]

Excellent review, useful information and something to consider when selecting a personal defense round.

[@shellyjharris]

Awesome! Keeping you in my prayers for a complete recovery and health from now on.

[@user-bm8et8km2u]

Hell yeah TN9 is again in great shape. Nice to see videos from you Sir.

[@calevel]

Good to see you back on track. Keep it up man, life is good!

[@agoogleuser4354]

Great to see you back and in good health my friend . Keep up the good work

[@uria711]

Im very excited you decided to finally start doing more than one shot

[@davidchrist428]

Thank you for doing the reviews you have done. I for one appreciated them. Thank you again. I wish the best of luck to you.

[@markc6207]

I just wanted to thank you for your top shelf testing. Keep up the good work bro.

[@justinwoolee]

Very nice ! I'm glad you are well and doing what you love. Tyrants will fall so don't worry. We got this.

[@EdTowel-ww7yh]

Tony Gerber Why would you use +p when it causes more wear and tear on your firearm and doesn't really make a target more dead?

[@jamessmith-ow1bf]

I prefer an extra bit of punch when my life is on the line no matter the season!

[@pant3ra647]

Tony Gerber lol a non +P round will still go through someone who's wearing all the winter clothes you can imagine. That logic of yours doesn't make much sense.

[@pant3ra647]

Tony Gerber You didn't ask me, but you posted on a public video for people to see. So I will, dipshit. I'm telling you your logic is flawed, because it is. A non +P round will go through all the winter clothes you can imagine just as well as the non +P. Lay off the video games and gun shop commando stories.

[@pant3ra647]

Tony Gerber Yea, because it's trolling when I call your BS out, and then you cry because you don't want your PUBLIC comment critiqued. You're an idiot.

[@KarlUshanka]

another great test. thanks for sharing. I never heard anything negative about that round, and only switched to HST to stick with the latest technology.

[@TBack-re8wi]

Happy to see you doing the ammo reviews again.... Hope all is well...

[@abcertweld]

I have always liked and used Hydro shock's

[@abcertweld]

lmao gotta love auto fill lol

[@robertmartin2387]

I'm so glad you're health is improving,but I miss the clear gel.

[@landonm11]

I run the same ammo in both of my HD/SD guns. The low recoil, the success I have had with feeding, the reliability(200 rds down range still haven't had a FTF, FTE in both guns), and the availability of the round. Makes this my goto HD/SD load. If it ain't broke... Don't fix it.

[@ShatnersToupe]

Good to see you in good enough health to be out and shooting again.

[@SamderMann]

Looks good. Thanks for all your effort in helping others make good informed choices. 👍

[@regsparkes6507]

Now that's what I would call a good test and result reporting job. Thanks very much.You kept this short and to the point. Near perfect reporting.. ( Only because it is said that nothing is perfect in reality )

[@TommyboyGTP]

If defensive ammo was scarce around me, and this is all I saw on the shelf at WM, I would buy these feeling more confident after watching your test. I probably wouldn't use them in a gun with a barrel shorter than 4 inches as to not run the risk of them not expanding. These were designed for duty guns like my S&W 5906, which is about as old as this bullet design, give or take. Thanks for another great test, and glad to see you back in the saddle!

[@72cmcinc]

Glad to see to you back at the testing, keep them coming!

[@CaptainBeardsome]

I looked up this video after seeing the less than stellar performance from Lucky Gunner's tests. They tested the ammo out of a 3.5 inch barrel. Maybe a little more velocity is all the bullet needs to perform better. My father-in-law gave me a bunch of hydrashok. I'll keep it for my Beretta, but I'm going to find the HST for 365xl carry gun.

[@bain5872]

My preferred carry ammo in 45ACP +P. I've used it for many years and depend on it. Never had a single failure in 1000 plus Rds. Good stuff!

[@1717jbs]

Glad to see you are back in the saddle.

[@alexoelkers2292]

I wish you would do one more video comparing Hydro Shok to the new round Hydro Shok deep

[@Privat3Kag3]

Welcome back Friend! We missed ya, and were a bit worried honestly! Good ta seeya back in the realm of youtube.

[@Goldenwithaleash]

Glad to see you are back in action!

[@FrumpyPumpkin]

Good to see you back. Hope all is well.

[@michaeltruhett4170]

They certainly are older technology, but I sure as hell wouldn’t want to receive any into my body. Nor anything else. It’s a bullet. Some are certainly better than others, but bad guys aren’t going to know what they were shot with or even what caliber. All they know is they’ve been shot and they didn’t like it. Is it the round I carry for my EDC? No, but if that’s what I had I wouldn’t walk around stressing over whether or not they’re going to work as advertised. They’ll punch holes in a bad guy and that’s what bullets are designed to do. Great video as always and thank you for all of them.

[@sphill_edc]

Great video as always Tim. I'm glad to see you are feeling better!

[@kcnwea]

Glad to see you're back at making videos!

[@jimbo111589]

Loved the three bullet test. Please make this a standard technique in your already fine procedures. 13-15 inches is very nice for a expanding standard pressure bullet.

[@GunfightersArmory]

Glad you're doing better, brother! Keep those videos coming!

[@MikeSmith-pq4wz]

The Federal Hydro Shok has done a fine job for many many years and any complains about the round I think has more to do with poor bullet placement/ poor marksmanship than the round itself. Although newer bullet designs have came along since the Hydro Shok was introduced overall I would say it preforms pretty well. Plus you can always place a few extra rounds in the bad guy just for good measure to make sure the job has been done right. Isn't that the reason for having a pistol that holds more than one bullet anyway?

[@dirtydan4827]

the complaints are about it's consistent failure to expand

[@lmomechtech7709]

Fantastic job as usual. Definitely the 'go to' person to get valuable info on various rounds for protection. Thanks!

[@Gazooo29]

Glad to see your back doing your test reviews!!

[@jeffw.5462]

Great review. I like the consistency of your testing methods.

[@cyclecamp1]

While I liked the idea of the harder hitting ammo like the Golden Sabre and Cor-Bons, after much range testing I discovered that my firearms just won't cycle it reliably, and when it comes to carrying, it's got to work. I use the 124gr Federal because it always cycles flawlessly in both my double and single stack 9mms.

[@beamer7]

I noticed the same while testing and comparing different ammo recently

[@feeunit2]

I really enjoyed the 3 shot test. I know it's a lot more work for you and there is a chance of bullets crossing paths or having an effect on the others, but I think it's worth it. From the time you spent preparing one block, you triple the amount of data on penetration, expansion, and cavitation for each round tested. Keep up the good work!

[@feeunit2]

*For the time you spent*

[@matthewhartup941]

HS's performed quite well. I bought 5 boxes of these before the shortage (want to say $15 dollars per box). Wouldn't hesitate to carry these.

[@fred2228]

I like the multiple shot concept. Your blocks are large enough that you could put two shots into them with no issues.

[@billhiggins2545]

Thanks for another excellent demo and instruction on this fabled ammo.

[@mcrafton89]

Glad you are back, enjoy your vids.

[@MPGunther1]

As always, a very concise and informative review. Did I say fun to watch too

[@MCgrease08]

I swapped out the Federal Hydra-shok for the HST recently, but I'm glad to see the Hydra-shok I've got left in the safe will still get the job done if called into action.

[@nickjohnson6772]

First off, I'd like to begin by saying that I'm very glad to see you healthy and back at it! I love your channel and all that you do with your reviews and testing. My question to you, with the popularity of pistol caliber carbines growing... Have you ever considered using one for ammo testing? I think it would not only be very informative, but I also believe it would be highly interesting to see how different bullet constructions behave operating at the increased velocity from the longer carbine barrel.

[@tnoutdoors9]

I'm a fan of carbines shooting pistol calibers but currently don't have one at the house. If I did, it would no doubt be in 9mm and something that accepted Glock mags.

[@calebdavis1775]

I really like the 3 shot analysis rather than just 1.. More data the better.

[@JustinOpinionChannel]

Well done. Knowing you work alone (as do I), I am always tremendously impressed with your productions.

[@KIDTAKO]

ANSWER: The post is there for ONE purpose... it is a "rudder" Once expansion starts on ANY hollowpoint we all know ANY round tends to initially deflect in the direction of the FIRST pedal that opens. That "post" is there to contact soft tissue and enable it to continue in the same direction (in theory) with "less" of a chance of it entering the target on one intended path and exiting on another. We also all know that these rounds tend to over-penetrate regardless (especially 9mm), so if over-penetration occurs we are usually not as concerned as much for what is to the "side" of the target as behind because whomever is putting the rounds down-range has assumingly cleared the background. Hence when this round was engineered the theory was to lessen the chance of an already hot round taking an undesirable path OUT of the target and causing collateral damage.

[@ricksorber8343]

That was reassuring. My nightstand gun has been loaded with these since about 1994.

[@nelsonr1467]

This isn't 1994 get some gold dots.

[@EthanJaye]

​@@nelsonr1467 you're delusional if you think Hydra-Shoks are "ineffective".