Best 9mm Hollow Point Round

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Thank you. HST & Gold Dot are typically good reliable options.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

You didn't watch the speer gold dot fail in the end did you?

[@guardianminifarm8005]

@@AlaskanBallistics I should have stated this better. That is what surprised me. The fact that they are known to be reliable but this failure to expand happened is disappointing.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@guardianminifarm8005 well said.

[@StatueofGuyThinking]

@AlaskanBallistics they werent the gold dot +p, you havent watched many other reviews of it have you...the gold dot +p is extremely similar to the federal HST. details matter.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@StatueofGuyThinking I've done many other tests of it... similar to hst, no. Expanding better than here, yes

[@YellowHammer26]

Thanks Chuck, appreciate the test. I personally carry the 124gr Hsts in my carry gun. I always enjoy your testing in whatever you decide to test.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thanks Lance! Good choice

[@Grooove_e]

For me its 124gr HST in my 3.1 inch barrel summertime carry gun, and 147gr HST in my 5.1 inch barrel fall/winter/spring carry gun. Test after test that I've seen those rounds prove to be among the best choices. Thank you for the tests, this information is invaluable to those of us that can't do these tests ourselves.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

You're welcome. Thank you for watching and commenting! Godspeed and good hunting. May you never have to use those guns in defense!

[@josephpepe2607]

Summer and winter guns 🙄 gay

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@josephpepe2607 just carry a glock 29 all the time... problem solved

[@Grooove_e]

@@josephpepe2607 Not too big of a deal, 3 monthd out of the year I'm rocking shorts and just prefer my PX4 Storm Compact over my M9A4 that has an X300 on it. The shorts can't hold up the weight of the full size as well as my pants can lol

[@OldSolidSnake]

Yup, I use HST 147gr standard velocity in my 3.9" P320 9mm...

[@richardsmith4187]

When your life depends on your ammunition, you want Federal HST in either 124 or 147gr ! Both have very consistent expansion and will stop the threat in a heartbeat. I carry only Federal HST and sleep well at night.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Good choice. Wish the 147gr expanded in n this test

[@TheRange7]

This is really a nice in depth look at some of the most popular carry rounds. The Gold Dots failing blew my mind. Very interesting results. Thanks for the time and effort, not to mention the expense of pulling this off. Cheers

[@mybrotherscout3661]

Greetings from Texas. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this video. I will continue working on shot placement with quick follow up shots. If anything actually expands...well, that's just gravy.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Well said brother! Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours my friend.

[@pauldowning3996]

Thanks!

[@AlaskanBallistics]

You're welcome! Thank you for watching and the donation! Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours my friend!

[@trentvlak]

115 Barnes for me. Soft shooting, accurate, reliable expansion, 12" penetration.

[@Dayoung1s5933]

I agree!!!

[@wyomingdrifter115]

The Underwood 90 grain defender 9mm would be interesting to compare…

[@AlaskanBallistics]

It's in the plans!

[@918ChevyGuy]

@@AlaskanBallistics I would like to see the 50 grain Pilgrim and Liberty brands tested as well....

[@lonewolfoftejas]

My test with 124gr Sig V-crown was excellent. Made me a believer even though I set out to prove it was just a Gucci Ammo. I now use it in all my self defense pistols.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

That's great. They perform well in meat test for me, not so well in this Ballistics gel. Godspeed and good hunting

[@ChrisGenXer]

This is great! Thank you

[@AlaskanBallistics]

You're welcome. Thank ! Godspeed and good hunting!

[@maxmccain8950]

Four layers of denim has been regarded as excessive by a lot of circles but up where you live I can imagine someone wearing that for warmth. I’ve found a pair of hemostats works wonders in extracting the bullets from the gel. A hair dryer also works wonders at smoothing out the wrinkles in the gel so you can actually see what’s going on inside. Great test sir.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you. Yeah insulated winter Clothes is what we need up here

[@brucecook502]

After watching a bajillion ballistic test with so many different defensive ammunitions, weights, and different pressures, about 5 months ago when I got my Springfield Hellcat with a 3-inch Barrel, I had settled on the federal HST 124 grain +P. It was hands down the most consistent and sufficient performer for short-barreled 9mm's of all the tests I have seen and this one just reconfirms what I have already seen. Federal HST FTW! And thanks for the video by the way 🙂

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you for watching and I pray you never have to find out the real results in a self defense scenario. Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours my friend.

[@brucecook502]

@@AlaskanBallistics well let's hope I never find myself in that sort of situation because I'm the kind of idiot that would get myself killed because of my unwillingness to hurt another human being. It was only thanks to the constant mass shootings on the news that I even began carrying a few years ago and that's probably the only scenario I know for a fact I would use a firearm to defend myself. Anyways thanks for the kind comment and I wish the same for you 🙂

[@inmyopinion_3672]

Bullets will penetrate deeper and expand less in Clear Ballistics gel compared to 10% Ordnance gel, usually by around 25%. So take that into consideration. I want 24" of penetration in Clear Ballistics gel. That equates to about 18" in Ordnance gel.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you. Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours my friend.

[@2006Mercury]

Thank you for the testing

[@AlaskanBallistics]

You're welcome. Thank you for watching!

[@Zakary79081]

The most comprehensive ammo selection testing I've ever seen on KZbin was done by ShootingTheBull410 in his Ammo Quest series. He tested ~50 different self defense rounds then he just disappeared. This video is a good parallel.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@Zakary79081 well thank you. I'm sticking around for a while.

[@ruskyrosco1054]

Great testing. Appreciate the honest results. Federal makes quality products. Tools tested the punch ammo and it's solid also.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Yeah I'm going to n have to try the federal punch at some point.

[@rjcavazos89]

I know this is a HP video... but I'm a recent converted believer of Underwood Extreme Defender 90gr so I'm only adding that to my stock of carry ammo and using it to carry. More "expansion" (larger wound), barrier blind, enough penetration. I have plenty of Gold dot, Federal, Hornady.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I agree completely. Have the 100gr in my g29 right now

[@iacorrigan4115]

Would love to see a 10mm bear defense ammo comparison

[@AlaskanBallistics]

It's in the plans

[@noneyabidness888]

I have carried 9mm and .45acp, as well as revolvers in .38/.357, .41 mag, .44 specials in special and magnum guns over 47years on and off duty. Your test proves why I carry .44 Special revolvers today. Most real shootings, of which I was involved with 2, are at a maximnum distance of

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you for sharing your choices and your experiences. I carry 10mm most of the time for the same reason. Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours my friend. Merry Christmas

[@charlesphillips5906]

Thanks for using a short barrel! One KZbinr I used to watch has started using 5 inch barrel. That data doesn’t help me.

[@jamesmarkov9570]

Sam revolver guy?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

That's a good channel

[@charlesphillips5906]

@@jamesmarkov9570 Yes

[@charlesphillips5906]

@@AlaskanBallistics Yes it is, but since none of my carry guns have long barrels the data just doesn’t interest me.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Well I appreciate you watching and let me know what other ammo I could do to help.

[@2006Mercury]

Never tried the HST ill have to try it. Always trained with regular Hornady Critical Defense

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@@2006Mercury that's the first critical defense fail I've ever had! The HSTs are very reliable!

[@jeremiahsmith7924]

Thanks for verifying the HSTs for me, they are what I continue to recommend, and obviously for good reason. They aren't always at the top of the velocity chart, but they are usually the most consistent and never fail to leave a gruesome wound channel

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you for watching! Godspeed and good hunting

[@taasch2505]

I rank HST 1st, Gold dot 2nd, and tied for 3rd is Vcrown and Punch. I usually go for federal punch because it's affordable and shoots better in my gun than Vcrown. I don't like the Hornaday ammo really.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@taasch2505 fair enough. thank you for watching and the comment. Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours my friend.

[@eddiearchuleta615]

Winchester 124+p defender bonded are amazing

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I'll have to give them a try next time... thanks!

[@EducatedBlackMan]

While I have most of the ammo tested, I have switched to Defiant Munitions TCX 115 gr +P as my EDC ammo. Consistent penetration and great expansion. I also trust Critical defense,

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thanks. Too bad that's not on the shelves here

[@furmanmackey5479]

The 9 Minimal needs all the help it can get from powders and bullet design to be somewhat effective as a defensive round out of even the most expensive handgun.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Agreed. That's why 10mm exists

[@furmanmackey5479]

@@AlaskanBallistics Now if it was not left to handloaders to make the 10mm what it has such potential for. I feel, can't prove it but I still feel, that ammo manufacturers "toned down" the 10mm starting around the late 1990s. I was blessed to have fired a new out of the box Glock 10mm in 1991 and to this day feel the ammo was hotter than what buyers have available today. I really like the 10mm and would not feel the least bit under armed if the ammo available off the shelf impressed me a little more. As is I daily carry a .40S&W loaded with +P 155grn JHPs. Maybe I just need to visit a nearby indoor range and rent a current production 10mm pistol and buy some off the shelf ammo in various bullet weights from more than one manufacturer. If I feel that I'm getting more out of current 10mm ammo than I am .40&W +Ps I'll be standing line to buy a new production 10mm pistol before the sunsets that day.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@furmanmackey5479 10mm from underwrite and buffalo bore is good stuff. Even hornady loads to within 25fps of the Underwood. Any hotter than those risks over pressures for sure.

[@furmanmackey5479]

@@AlaskanBallistics Well it looks like The Old Goober is going to have pay an indoor range in our area a visit, rent one of their handguns and give those ammo brands a try even though I may have to order some Underwood ammo which can be hard to find in our area. Not impossible, just harder than the other two brands. Thanks for kind and informative information as I really like the 10mm.

[@andrewgrignon826]

I started off carrying Hornady Critical Defense, now I use American Gunnar +p.. it's perfect for my Canik Mete MC9

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Nice!

[@BuffRANGE]

Bravo, GOOD SHOW!

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you sir!

[@localguy8]

Would love to see range ammo test like just 9mm, Sig 357 again just ball ammo

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@localguy8 ill put it on the list for next summer 2026... Yes that's how far behind I am.

[@MrTdogg175]

The thing about all of these rounds, they’ll all get the job done besides the ones that don’t expand at all.. but the Federal 124G HST is the only round on the market that expands the most reliably. Damn near every single time you fire one it’s going to expand fully just like the one in this video did and has the best track record for doing such. All the other rounds expand but not reliably and definitely not consistently. For self defense rounds I will never trust another brand MORE than the 124g Federal HST’s. That’s not to say I wouldn’t run any others, ammo is ammo when it comes down to it or god forbid you ever need a stock pile, but for consistency and reliability, 124g HST’s are the best of the best. Nothing beats it in those departments.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Couldn't agree more! Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours my friend!

[@lucasschmitz4588]

Wheres buffalo bore and underwood,g9 and quite a few of the newer rounds that have come out cause we all know how basically every box on the table preforms

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@@lucasschmitz4588 plans for episode 2

[@lucasschmitz4588]

@@AlaskanBallistics hell ya brother can't wait to see it

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@lucasschmitz4588 it'll be a few months... hunting season is upon me

[@lucasschmitz4588]

@@AlaskanBallistics no worries as long as happens

[@ASAP2525]

Something’s probably faulty with the gel block but overall the effort put out here on this video is awesome see you put a lot of time and money into this cool vid

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Agreed about the gel block, thank you for the kind words!

[@v73133]

Agreed. Clear gel doesn't have good correlation to organic to begin with, but this is really unusual. 147gr HST and 124gr +P Gold Dot are used by LE in shootings almost daily. They certainly seem happy with the results.

[@Dan-ib4sz]

I wonder if the temperature of the gel block could of influenced the results.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Possibly. It was a nice warm 55 to 60 degrees

[@timrobinson6573]

How much of the lack of expansion on so many rounds tested has to do with using clear synthetic gel in uncontrolled conditions? What is the standard calibration for clear synthetic gel? How do you ensure that the calibration is correct and maintained throughout the testing? All rhetorical questions. Federal Ammunition and the FBI call clear synthetic gel a toy because there is no standard by which to calibrate it.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Fair enough. Thanks!

[@famous9783]

Can you not use the bb penetration test ?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

You can. I don't own a bb gun.

[@v73133]

@@famous9783 to correlate with FBI data and reference the standard BB calibration, you need to use organic gel. They have never provided a calibration spec for clear gel, which would be different. Essentially you can see where it falls for calibration using the BB, and maybe compare one clear block to another, but the work has never been done to determine what that calibration should be in clear gel to simulate tissue.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@v73133 thank you!

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

***YES PLEASE DO AN HST 124 vs 147 GRAIN TEST! Thank You!

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Will do

[@believe722]

I think the density of your two different gel blocks is the problem. You should also be using a 4-in barrel.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

1) I don't carry less than 4 inch barrel, but many people do. I was trying to show what the Ballistics were for the shorter barrel.

[@mattyb5817]

Theres a vid on youtube of a speer gold dot 124 plus p going through denim and a hogs head and almost 2 water jugs. Made me feel good enough to buy some for a multipurpose defense round for woods and shopping stores

[@DropItLikeItsScott]

Extremely interesting Good video to show which 9 mm defensive ammo is better for sure.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thanks Brother

[@Cmoth040]

Thank you for the video, it was interesting. It's a confirmation of the Federal/FBI ballistic tests they perform every year or so. The differences are marginal. None of them are "hands down" better. Most manufacturers make something that performs just as well as all the others. The determinant is therefore availability followed by cost. Accuracy is the most viable criteria, but is shooter dependent. Most of this ammunition out of your average pistol is capable of around 3 inch groups at 25 yards from a stable rest, no human influence. Unless you can consistently do that without a rest, that's nearly irrelevant. FYI: I've been a weapons instructor for 23 years and a competitive shooter, if anyone says they can, they're probably lying to themselves about their best day, or their last name is Leatham. Never stop practicing. Shot placement is the only thing terminal in a pistol bullet. They don't have the velocity to damage anything the bullet doesn't physically touch. Terminal shearing of tissue due to cavitation alone doesn't occur with anything under 2000 fps of velocity while traversing soft tissue of fluid mass. Basically, a rifle bullet, or a 7.5 BRN pistol if you also own a Rolls Royce and want the matching handgun. Currently, I use either my issued ammunition, the Hornady critical duty 135 +p (at about $1 ea), or the Sig VTac 124 grn +P in my off duty pistol (which is around half the cost of the Hornady and Federal). Thankfully, Sig Sauer has been making under the table deals with government contractors, so they're ammunition is rather affordable. LOL.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@Cmoth040 thanks for the comment and watching. I generally agree that no one bullet is better than the other. Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours my friend.

[@michaelfranklin7451]

I use Sig Crown and Hornady Critical defense. I do not use the Hornady ammo with rubber filled tips. In my 92FS compact, Canik TP9 SC Elite, and M&P Shield 2.0, have all missed fed at some point in doing drills. Light recoil, but I don’t like the fact that I have to jerk the gun to feed next round. It has happened several times since 2018. None of these guns have ever jammed with any other ammo. Cheapest ammo I’ve shot is Sierra hollow points. Never steel. Guns are always cleaned and have had all since new. The most fired in a single session was 500 rounds with 92FS compact. The others are 250 rounds or less per session.

[@Tom-cp6yj]

Um, the critical defense IS the rubber filled tips...

[@michaelfranklin7451]

@@Tom-cp6yj yeah defense and duty are filled. It’s the black/custom ammo.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@Tom-cp6yj so is the critical duty

[@chaddean3322]

I have had the same issue with critical defense 115 grain. In shorter barrels. So far I have not had any issues with the critical duty 124g. I think the critical defense just is a little underpowered as it's designed to not over penetrate. As where the critical duty has a little more powder pushing it

[@michaelfranklin7451]

@ 2 of my guns are less than 4 inch barrels. I have to add a lot of oil on my 92 compact feed ramp(4 inch barrel) for it to work fine. If I shoot 200 to 300 rounds, it will start to stick every now and then. Jerk the gun and it feeds. I tried replacing recoil and hammer springs to root them out, for I have Wilson springs. Did the same with factory Beretta springs that came with gun and ones I bought a couple of years later. Probably fine in a defensive situation, for my guns are always cleaned after use. I check whichever gun I carry before I leave. I utilize Sig and Speer because of this issue to not gamble on if.

[@danoneill2846]

yep

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thanks Dan

[@tylertapp131]

Id love to see a test like this done with 9mm 135 grain and up to 150 or how ever heavy you can find them. Ive recently fell in love with the heavier 9mm rounds after getting into suppressed sub guns.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@tylertapp131 I plan on it. I don't have a sub gun but I've now got a suppressor on my g34. Literally just screwed it on a few minutes ago.

[@tylertapp131]

@AlaskanBallistics hell yeah that's awesome bud, I bought my first pistol can and sub gun this year, runnin a zenith mp5k with a GSL phoenix suppressor set up for day and night use, I love the thing lol a little obsessed to be honest 😂.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@tylertapp131 nice

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@tylertapp131 I've got a cmmg banshee 8.5 in 10mm... I'm going to suppress that. Bears up here need 10mm

[@tylertapp131]

@AlaskanBallistics ohh very nice, and yeah I get that lol but I don't plan on using my mp5k for bear defense. 🤣 i do keep it for home defense and for smaller game around the house, stuff like raccoons, opposum, and coyotes though. I like it alot because it's stupid quite with the 158 grain pills I've been playin with.

[@davidr7333]

Great video!

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you David

[@mobilegamersunite]

Ammunition Depot has LE contract overrun hollowpoints and plus P hollowpoints for about 34 cent each...you should test those! Ive ran over a thousand of them already reliably in a bunch of my pistols. 🎉

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Can't ship Alaska

[@mobilegamersunite]

@AlaskanBallistics why? Thats crazy! I wonder if I could send you some....hmmm

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@mobilegamersunite because it would be cruising international lines, it all has to be imported and exported. Carlisle shipping is the company to use.

[@david6920-r6z]

Man Chuke is fast on the keyboard 🇺🇸 🇳🇿

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Had nothing to do with me giving him the link for feedback

[@2006Mercury]

Fast on the draw also

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Lol

[@brendaddy]

Would love to see the Barnes in the +P load. Other rounds used were +P on some. Wonder what difference in penetration. Maybe would make the Barnes a better contender?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Maybe, sometimes the faster a bullet goes, the faster the hollowpoint opens up, the faster the bullet slows down, the less it penetrates. Other times the extra speed just pushes it farther

[@mghegotagun]

The +p load by Barnes is about the same velocity as standard. Underwood and black hills may load them faster.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@mghegotagun good to know, thank you

[@keithjones668]

Nice job.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you sir. Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours!

[@brianbloecher5706]

Wondering if you have tested G9 ammo with the external hollow point, hidden hollow point and/or woodsman?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

No but it's in the plans

[@TyinAlaska]

Very good Roundup. I would love to see your take on Ballistic Machinist Interceptors.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Are they available to reload... ? As projectiles?

[@TyinAlaska]

@@AlaskanBallistics I don't know where my previous response to this question went. Maybe KZbin deleted it since it had a link. Detroit Ammo sells "PROJECTILES 90GR 9MM INTERCEPTORS" from Ballistic Machinist.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@TyinAlaska, I'll look for it, but I think Detroit Ammo refuses to sell even projectiles to Alaska. I've tried them before. Maybe I'm remembering wrong

[@TyinAlaska]

@@AlaskanBallistics perhaps Ballistic Machinist could send a box as a partial sponsorship if you requested.

[@hillbillyscholar8126]

Just confirmed my opinion that the 9x19 is temperamental depending on ammunition choice. The Critical Defense was a surprise though, I expected it to be among the best.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I expected it to penetrate shallow and expand almost too much

[@timrobinson6573]

I would imagine it has more to do with using synthetic gelatin in uncontrolled conditions. Federal Ammunition and the FBI call clear synthetic gel a toy.

[@hillbillyscholar8126]

@@timrobinson6573 It may not be organic gel but it is the best thing most commoners have access to for experimentation. The data may not be great data, but it is decent if the test protocol remains consistent.

[@RAYTHEONGAMING]

I used to carry 9BPLEs religiously and never had an issue

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Never heard of that. On duty?

[@RAYTHEONGAMING]

@@AlaskanBallistics Yes its Federals 9mm 115gr +p+ used to be my carry and personal ammo in my G17 and 26 backup. Runs around 1300fps with about 430ftlbs of energy. Its a decades old load but Federal originally developed for ISP but I believe its still made today but had been eclipsed my many others manufacturers rounds.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@RAYTHEONGAMING I've actually had some of that... in the whitebox, right?

[@RAYTHEONGAMING]

@@AlaskanBallistics yeah

[@Yamaharider023]

G9 Defense!!!! Solid copper monolithics do better in barriers and 3x the damage in tissue….

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Well look into it

[@CheeseBurgerXJ]

I’d like to see you test federals hi shok line, I use their 9mm 147 gr 9ms since I can find it for about 35-40cpr.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

We'll see

[@alanmadethisbeat]

I have a question I have a stoeger str 9c do yo think it’s plus p because I’m not sure😂

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I wouldn't run +p ammo through it. Check your owner's manual

[@alanmadethisbeat]

@@AlaskanBallisticsoh ok thanks tho because I was confused because on google says it’s -p plus p I’m like what?😂

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@alanmadethisbeat so they put more and / or different types of powder that build up more pressure and therefore higher velocity. Non plus p rounds tend to penetrate better because they don't open up as fast. +p and +p+ rounds tend to open up way faster and therefore don't penetrate as much, but deposit 50 to 75 (sometimes 100) more foot pounds of energy.

[@alanmadethisbeat]

@@AlaskanBallistics I don’t know that it opens up sooner what makes since considering how fast it’s going but there are some good plus p’s out there but it’s true not every 9mm is plus p thanks for the advice💯

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@alanmadethisbeat no problem. +p is better for shorter barrels to get the velocity to open up. Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours my friend.

[@crsquirrely73]

I forgot what barrel length you had, but a lot of those rounds are designed for 4-in barrels or longer

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Which is not what people necessarily carry either.

[@wififw0141]

Im a Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense guy, but its nice to see whats out there

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Those fail to penetrate adequately... don't use

[@jamesmarkov9570]

@@AlaskanBallisticsthat base of the bullet does tho

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@jamesmarkov9570 only 11 inches... I've done it in gel. The base of the bullet isn't massive either, causing little damage. There's a reason cops don't use them. The human body isn't gel. Bullets tend to penetrate less in actual bodies than they do gel. You're risking your life with gimmick ammo.

[@woodystube1000]

Thank you for making this, most of us can't really afford to do it ourselves. I know Critical Defense is an extremely popular round, but your results with that round do not seem unique. They just don't seem to perform well through the clothing and into the gel. I always scratch my head when I watch people at the LGS reach right over the boxes of HST to get to the Critical Defense. Just my observation.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you for watching. I like critical defense out of a longer barrel for a woods carry, though I'm usually carrying hardcast 44mag for that.

[@MrYour1Fan]

Great job

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank You Sir

[@panman2568]

I think something was up with your gel. I’ve tested all of those rounds in gel before and it’s rare to see one of them fail, let alone all of the top defensive ammo on the market. Might need to calibrate gel. Something isn’t right

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I don't disagree. As I tried filming this in organic gel and they performed way better. Thanks for your comment. Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@PoliticallyInsensitive]

Is there one that's any more resistant to set back than the others. I used to carry a G19 clone and rarely had an occurrence of it. Since switching to a P10c I've lost at least 6 rounds to it in the past couple of months. Currently using 124gr V-Crown.

[@judge831]

Looks to me like it really doesn't matter what bullet is being shot. It's more about velocity.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

That's fair! Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours my friend.

[@John_the_baptized]

Looks like I should just buy the HST then

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I would. With the exception of. Wildlife protection of course.

[@Dayoung1s5933]

Why did yoiu rate the 124 gr federal the winner when it had the highest standard deviation?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Because it expanded and penetrated well

[@Dayoung1s5933]

@@AlaskanBallistics but isn't the amount of deviation a huge negative?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@Dayoung1s5933 if I shot 20rds from each box, they'd all probably be the same deviation. Maybe not, but it would be closer for sure. That's a lot of rounds to shoot on a video slow fire. Penetration to the vitals is the only thing that matters

[@whalthu]

Another quality factor should be shelf life ive been carrying hornady duty for a few months now cause i liked the results on gel for my needs and after just a few months the bullets are disintegrating i can pull the bullet off of the casing so anywho dont trust those too much they look cool and have good ballistics but they dont last very long

[@AlaskanBallistics]

That's weird. Never heard of that happening before. You contacted hornady?

[@whalthu]

@ not yet im a little worried it might be something i did and not hornadys fault but i have treated them no different than any other carry ammo ive had and their the first to do this

[@whalthu]

@@AlaskanBallistics i think im gonna call them today and maybe just get some insight on where i went wrong or if it was the lot/batch

[@morgizmo87]

Would love to see some super vel defensive loads

[@AlaskanBallistics]

If I ever see those on the shelf

[@cw2a]

10mm is the best MM!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼👍🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Amen! Preach it brother!

[@ronald209]

And, .357 Sig is the best "upgraded" 9mm

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@ronald209 true. I need to do .357 sig vs. 10mm. I'll try to do it this winter

[@Schutti73]

@@ronald209 better 9mm Dillon.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@Schutti73 lol maybe if you could find ammo and guns for it.

[@gunfighterman1-5]

Do a test with 147gr +P and standard pressure. Also use a pistol with a 4" barrel. IMO thats the most popular carry length rather that these pocket rockets.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Where did you get your data on 4inch barrel being the most popular to carry? I've worked in shops and we've sold more short barrel carry guns than anything else. At some point, I do plan on redoing this with a 4 inch and 5 inch barrel guns

[@gunfighterman1-5]

@@AlaskanBallistics in my area of Pa

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Fair enough. I'm just looking for actual data, surveys, etc... I grew up in a Georgia and people EDC what ever they could fit under a t-shirt.

[@gunfighterman1-5]

@AlaskanBallistics Plus I said IMO. I've carried a Sig M11A1 for over eight years since my duty weapon was a 226. But recently went to a 365 X MACRCO. Being that I carry AIWB the 365 is much more slimmer, lighter, comfortable and concealable.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@gunfighterman1-5 IMO?

[@Wes.Crump00]

I carry Hornady American gunner 115gr xtp in my carry gun but I'm looking for something with a little more weight at least projectile-wise

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Federal HST 124gr +p seams to be the winner.

[@Wes.Crump00]

@@AlaskanBallistics I'll have to order it most likely federal hst doesn't stay on the shelf long at the local store

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@Wes.Crump00 I've got links on my A.D. page most of the time

[@Wes.Crump00]

@@AlaskanBallistics cool man I'll check it out

[@jamespugh]

Good testing.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank You James!

[@texpatriot8462]

Predict HST 4 the win.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

And so what did you think?

[@mghegotagun]

Fan of the barnes for recoil comparable to range ammo. How does the recoil of hornady's 135 critical duty +p compare?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

It's a little more stout... but it is 9mm so none of them really have any recoil to speak of.

[@mghegotagun]

@@AlaskanBallistics So the 135 +p critical duty has more recoil than the barnes 115, yeah? Thanks for the info.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@mghegotagun yes. But 9mm doesn't recoil much in general, so I barely notice it.

[@Jck-z1c]

(~6 min 30 sec) Re, you had your Glock 43X jam.... Mine, unfortunately, seems to do that on at least one round in the magazine. I started putting 9 rounds in the magazine & that seemed to correct the problem. But the last time I shot, I had a jam. Am not sure what's going on with that. (Limp wrist?? Probably.)

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Without watching it, yes. Or you're shooting very hot rounds for the magazine spring to keep up with the faster moving slide. Also take the magazine apart and clean it really well. Mine was also with a PSA MicroDagger mag, which never named in the summer testing, but I dropped it off camera and snow was in it.

[@Jck-z1c]

@@AlaskanBallistics , AB, thanks much for letting me know about cleaning the mag. Am still learning so didn't consider need to clean it as well as my gun. (My light bulb seems to come on a lot slower the older I get :-)

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@user-bq1se9tt2n me too brother. Not sure my light bulb is even screwed in these days.

[@Jck-z1c]

@@AlaskanBallistics , A, the "good thing" that "light bulb" is we have company ;-) Hope you have a great day!

[@akbluefox8506]

My wife and I both have the first runs of 43x with the silver slide, and I've found that through a couple of thousand rounds apiece, with 16 different mags (12 OEM and 4 shield gen 2) that neither gun likes the bullets that are shaped lig the Sig ammo and will jam at least once a mag, usually the 3rd from the end, but they both have no trouble with "pointier" ammo like the Hornady stuff. No limp wristing and the jams are regardless of who's shooting. None of our Glocks are ammo picky, but the 43x sure seems to be, at least in my experience.

[@jdizzforyou]

Since you're making your own gel blocks and all... you could be the first I've seen add fiberous muscle tissue into the gel. Just strands of some fabric going one direction and not woven really to loosely simulate some muscle fibers and whatnot. That might really kick off the expansion. Later on in another video add bones from a butcher? Cure the gelatin with a rack of pork ribs right under the surface? 😂 Maybe the Amazon mix block had more or stronger concentrated gelatin hence the added resistance from density that caused more expansion? How about testing the cheapest you can get vs the most expensive? Nicely done though, thanks!

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I appreciate the suggestions! Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours.

[@thebushbunker]

I wanna see 90gr xtreme defender monolith self defense ammo.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@thebushbunker plan on it in next video... along the 68gr +p

[@thebushbunker]

@@AlaskanBallistics awesome I use lighter ammo as I need to compensate for speed for my short reflex barrel.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@thebushbunker then you picked the right one!

[@earthlyng_official4599]

The barnes looks like the best numbers imo

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Umm low energy and penetration? No

[@phenamenol]

You can’t go wrong with Corbon 115 gr jhp+ p

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@@phenamenol under penetrates in my experience

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@@phenamenol under penetrates with that Sierra 115gr bullet

[@williambaker1753]

It's easy to make a mistake when comparing multiples, I like watching these gel tests but you have to take them with a grain of salt because you can do the same test and get different results

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I couldn't agree with you more to be honest with you. God speed and good hunting to you and yours my friend.

[@itsgeno7390]

Nothing like Federal Hst LAW ENFORCEMENT 124grain +p

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Truth!

[@johnfeliciano585]

I prefer G9 defense 80gr External hollow point round

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Plan on testing it when I can find some?

[@Tadders]

The friggin critical duty tumbled

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Yep... it did that

[@CharlesRyan-f3j]

​@AlaskanBallistics We tested the Barnes and Critical Duty among many others on steel and glass, and only those two did not come apart after penetration. If you might encounter a barrier, they appeared the best. Other wise the HSTs were outstanding in our tests. Great work guys! Thank you.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thanks for the info! Godspeed and good hunting

[@CharlesRyan-f3j]

@@AlaskanBallistics Thank you. You guys do awesome work.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@CharlesRyan-f3j thanks

[@DanTheWolfman]

Thanks, but let's see the Homemade Organic Gel release that footage...doesn't matter how it looks for entertainment, what matters is that Data, 17% More Dense, contains Water..ya know like we do so they Expand way more. Modern Meat Target look at my tests. Also Critical Duty Battle coming soon. In Alaska I'd be carrying either .40 or 10mm, either Dutch staggering hard 180 hollows like Gold Dot & FMJ, or changing mags out for out of city and going into city. HST or punch for me in the south. Also tested lots of .357 Mag through 6 layers...4 Layer Denim & 2 Tshirt for you Northern Boys to look at HST in .357 should do good on either 2 or 4 legged

[@barryselden-x2s]

Very interesting. However, you didn’t include what many believe are the 2 best types of ammo: Buffalo Bore and Underwood.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Only so much room in the box... I plan on those in episode 2 or 3

[@ratedredneck96]

Well you said id be suprised and well color me suprised. However, this is the first video i have seen where the bullet did not expand like intended. The fbi standard test does have multiple layers of denim and a layer of leather i think, dont quote me on it though. I would like to see the g9 bullet or the external hollow point design bullet tested. It does not rely on expansion to cause devastation and garand thumb praises the g9 and the gold dot bullets as two of his favorite rounds. I have went to a bullet called inceptor arx. Its a light 65gr bullet traveling at 1650fps claimed on the box. A bullet that doesnt need to rely on expansion could open a huge amount of possibilities. No more good for this but lacks here type bullet, if it tracks well and doesnt deviate when shot through angled objects it sounds like the perfect round.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Yeah I have a few to test

[@ForOdin]

Well, looks like I’ll be swapping my 124 grain +p Gold Dots for some 124 grain HSTs

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I just posted a deal on for HDT +p on X

[@ronald209]

Hmm, no Winchester Ranger T-Series SXT 🤔🤨

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I've got some to test in the next batch, I think. We have to buy ammo on the shelf here, so if it's not on the shelf, I can't get it.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

It also typically doesn't expand according to what I've seen

[@enigmatic710]

You're missing a lot of other extremely better 9mm cartridges

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Next gel test

[@americanpatriot212]

Winchester Ranger T series!?? Might be better than HST.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Maybe... I've seen them fail a lot

[@johnanderson3405]

This is the first test that showed the HST 147 and Gold Dot actually fail to expand. I realize you went to a lot of effort to do the testing but I’m not convinced it was up to snuff. There’s been too many other tests done that they have performed fantastic.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I don't think the gel properly dense.

[@jmc5985]

Never seen so many premium HP rounds fail to expand. Very odd.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I agree

[@JustinDeFiblander]

Dhamn still got snow up there

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Recorded in Late April

[@ropo772]

124 gr HST!!

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Best one for sure

[@ChukesOutdoorAdventures]

First

[@AlaskanBallistics]

You're such a speedy queen

[@brentmiller3951]

He said he colored his graph for chuke pride month .it was the least you could do

[@69CamaroSS]

The best defensive ammo (in almost any caliber) IS NOT ANY OF THE HOLLOW POINTS!!!! Underwood Extreme Defender outperforms every expanding projectile on the market and IS NOT barrier blind !

[@AlaskanBallistics]

That'll be in my next test. Thanks Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours my friend.

[@69CamaroSS]

@@AlaskanBallistics try the +P !!! They’re WICKED!!

[@woodystube1000]

The Underwood create massive cavitation, no doubt about it. If by "outperforms" you mean they will go completely through their intended target, through the wall behind them, and into an unintended target, then yes, they outperform hollow points.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@woodystube1000 the xtreme defender is designed to stop in 16 inches of gel, the xtreme penetrator and hunter are not.

[@woodystube1000]

@@AlaskanBallistics You are correct. My error.

[@ChronicalsofAl]

10:15 - pulled a Chuke

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Yep

[@ChronicalsofAl]

After little consideration , followed by even less evaluation - I've determined that chuke is a goofball (in a good way for the most part))!!

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@ChronicalsofAl truer words are rarely spoken

[@SouthernShodan]

Thumbs up for the "rainbow for Chuke Pride month" bit

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Lol yeah we joke a lot

[@djurex5494]

I must say that 9mm is little disappointing compared to 7.62x25 bullet..fired from yugo M57 it gives around 800 joules and that is quite more then 9mm bullet

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Maybe so, I'll have to test one sometime.

[@camhester4251]

if the vcrown would've stayed in the gel it would've expanded

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Maybe.

[@sammyprestwood3182]

Every time you were shooting and saying what the speed was.The volume was so low I couldn't hear it

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@kennethferguson4283]

The 9mm's velocity is established out of 4 inch barrels.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Which tells you nothing if you carry a shorter barrel. This tells me to not carry shorter than 4", so I guess we're agreeing? Thank you and Godspeed