Range Tested: Personal Defense Ammunition

[@frankmarks5890]

I'll stick with my HST xand. My standard Speer gold dots

[@jmurphy68463]

HST is the only one I trust out of those. I do trust Gold Dot but not G2.

[@j.t.cooper2963]

Punch is good stuff for $12 less per 20 count box. I paid $18 for the Punch while the HST was $29 for 20 rounds. For that difference in cost, I'll put the money saved into more ammo. I'm confident that it will do the job. Shot placement is what really counts.

[@chuckp4710]

Why don't you trust G2 afteral its made by Speer.

[@TheJay1976]

Just bought some Federal Premium Punch today, Never tried it before.. I was just happy to grab some Ammo finally

[@Jonbjj54]

Yay me too!!! Got it online

[@american236]

Lol exactly

[@oldsoul6507]

You know a company is killing it when their only competition is themselves and their sister company.

[@pewpewTN]

Speer/Federal/CCI/Blazer/Remmington is the big one, but Hornady & Winchester/Browning are also big players. Then we also have Sig, Aguila, Norma,Fiocchi, S&B, PMC, Mag Tech, PPU, Armscor, Ammo Inc, Maxx Tech & multiple others. I guess the Russian steel case companies would also fit into this segment. Tula, Wolf, Red Army Standard, Silver Bear. All the smaller brands also combine to sell a lot of ammo. Underwood, Buffalo Bore, Corbon, Double Tap, Liberty & stuff like that. Next segment would be store brands like Herter's & Monarch. That leaves us with the Regional/Local manufacturers that load both fresh ammo & remanufactured stuff. Some of those companies are pumping out millions of rounds right now. Range, Competition & defensive stuff. This is far from exhaustive, but it does show that there is plenty of competition in the market, even if a couple of the huge companies do dominate the market.

[@berettaxd7566]

Federal, CCI, Speer and Blazer are all the same company. Winchester is huge, they supply the entire military. Remington is thr low budget brand.

[@theghastlygamer5326]

@@berettaxd7566 remington is owned by vista outdoors which owns federal, speer, cci, blazer

[@garyhagenauer3597]

I appreciate the explanation between the differences of each style. Your video provided details that others do not. Thanks.

[@bobthompson4319]

I personally prefer any hollow point that's got the word defense on the box. Because if you end up in court and are asked why did you get those bullets? Is it because you wanted to get the most deadly bullets you can so you could kill? You can say I chose them because it says right on the box DEFENSE. And I wanted something for defense.

[@Mortlupo]

As my CCW Instructor says...It's the ammunition my local sheriff uses so what do I known, it's good enough for them it's good enough for me. Watch the DA try to decide if he wants to piss off all the cops in his district by basically labeling them all.

[@scubaguy007]

I like how he tip toed around the "Initially made for law-enforcement" comment at the beginning. Like they way police stop a threat is different than the way a regular armed citizen would. If you have to shoot someone to stop them from killing you, you want the absolute best cartridge you can get.

[@Mortlupo]

Not really, it's the same...you fire center-mass until the threat stops being a threat.

[@krl0215]

from what I read one of the main differences in penetration. The punch isnt intended to penetrate walls as much

[@thagingerninjer5391]

The reason he mentioned that is because the powder in the hat is made to burn at such a rate that it's optimum performance is going to be seen from a duty-sized pistol, rather than a sub or micro compact

[@freedj27]

I like how on the punch, they have some almost nursery rhyme sounding, or ice cream truck music playing lightly in the background. On the two premium it’s got only a nice rocking sound playing. Guess it’s a subliminal message to make you want the premium over the good value.

[@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595]

Do you have ears?

[@donniesanders3780]

I buy them when 50 rnd boxes are available I don't pay 30-40 bucks for 20 I believe that the manufacturers should stop the 20 round box sales completely that way I don't spend $130 just to make sure it works in my pistol and practice 3 15 round mags is 45 rounds if I pay $35 a box with a minimum of two mags full each magazine that is 5 boxes @$35 wtf guys that is insane

[@dennistv598]

If your broke just say that

[@pewpewTN]

I don't think that's totally necessary. Get 2 boxes. Test one box, load your mag with the other. Over time, you will get more rounds of your carry ammo through your gun as you swap out your carry ammo for fresh stuff. As long as you can find a suitable range ammo to match up with your carry stuff, you should be good to go.

[@Mortlupo]

@@pewpewTN If you are testing, buy one box and shoot it...if it works then buy another.

[@podsmpsg1]

I just got some Federal Punch .38 Special, I also have Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special. I started carrying Federal Punch.

[@jamiecollett8840]

It would be nice to be able to find ANY 9mm ammo!!!

[@MasQueVencedorEnCristo]

Go to the federal site they got some

[@markstephens5120]

That's why I shoot .40 and .45

[@chrissewell1608]

That G2 (gold dot v.2) seems to be designed like the Hornady Critical defense loads. But I like the mushroom on the G2.

[@jarvisbennett6442]

Yes or the Horandy Critical Duty

[@youpattube1]

Confusing. Take the HST. You went over the characteristics of the ammo, but then brought up a variation for short barreled pistols. But I couldn't figure out if you were saying that the HST shown was that variation, or there was a variation not shown. You know what you meant, but I don't.

[@brianshuler6951]

Agreed. He gave no test data with which to compare the three. He didn't even specify the weights or designations of the loads he was describing.

[@nighthowler8107]

bullets are bullets.. i think they all hurt

[@JMane3000]

All my 9mm mags are loaded with federal hst 124 gr it works for me and if I had to choose a 2nd I'd be going with 135 gr Hornady critical duty

[@pewpewTN]

The 135 Grain +p Critical Duty is probably my favorite for 9mm. 165 Grain HST Tactical Bonded for .40. Underwood has some really nice 10mm stuff. Corbon or standard Gold Dot for .380. I don't carry .45 much, so I haven't tested all that many loads, but the +p Gold Dots seem to be solid from what I've seen

[@frawdulent]

Tip: don’t use 9mm.

[@chaitern6075]

Just got me some gold dot today, a box of 50 for $84 bucks. These better stop a threat and spood feed me some soup. These inflated prices are crazy.

[@otech88]

Got damn $84 😱😩

[@chaitern6075]

@@otech88 its $100 now for a box of hollows

[@markstephens5120]

You paid way to much, just bought box of 50 gold dot duty ammo for .40cal for $26.00. Velocity Ammo online.

[@AMF96]

I recently bought a box of 50 HST 124gr for $44. I think that was a pretty decent deal in today’s market..

[@j.t.cooper2963]

The 2 boxes of Punch I just got today doesn't have nickel plated brass, they have bare brass. But for $18 for a box of 20, I'm not going to complain.

[@jamesjones9207]

Same here basically I think they took the punch out of there premium line up and swapped the casings from nickel plated brass to regular brass since I think the nickel brass is one of the main things that differentiate the premium from the not premium line ups…i think the cartridge still functions the same as before even without the markup marking and shiny brass

[@markstephens5120]

I've purchased several boxes of Punch in .40 & .45 both are nickel plated.

[@berettaxd7566]

I got the punch because it's not +p. Great for my compacts.

[@KD-lb9bg]

Punch- good, HST- better, G2- Nope 👎🏻, 124gr +p gold dots & 115gr standard pressure gold dots- very good. Winchester and Remington make a couple of very good loads too.

[@AGC828]

Ugggg. For any civilian...ANY load should do fine...assuming too they are in a one on one situation. Or, if they know exactly how many attackers there are. And are standing in front. Not more than 2. Had time to draw one's gun (usually we're caught off guard). What we SHOULD be concerned about as civilians is not how much damage our defence loads do but the AFTER. What happens after the shooting. No one talks about it and I think most civilians have a Hollywood action film idea of what happens afterwards. I'll bet most think there's just going to be a quick 5 minute talk with the LEO. And we'll be on our way. As we were before the incident. Or how about the fact that we have to possibly take another man's life. Or 2 men. Harder to do than we think. How about the trauma reliving the shooting in our heads. It's NOT like in the movies. Could find ourselves in a very costly legal battle with the attacker's family. Suing us for handicapping or killing their son Butch. The cost wil bankrupt the average person. If we're not insured.

[@crankybuzzard6867]

Thanks for the video. That helped a lot.

[@RepentorPerish77]

You can’t go wrong with either round….

[@gilleonard7378]

I have the Punch and I have the Speer Carry Gun 135 gr. Carry both but in different firearms.

[@glennrogers9905]

Excellent information. Thanks.

[@Hidden_Destinations]

So what does Punch NOT have?? He doesn’t address that question.

[@gt8285]

My understanding is that the Punch bullets give up some of the more advanced internal components for plain old lead, making for a cheaper round to manufacture and sell. Their line is something along the lines of "the average civilian isnt as likely to need to shoot through barriers/walls/car doors so this ammo should be fine" - so basically slightly less effective and slightly less expensive HST. I'd buy it to stockpile, but probably wouldn't carry it in my mainline defensive pistols if I had HST or Ranger-T available.

[@Timewaits4no1]

@Greg D a pretty, plastic case that it comes in. Honestly from everything I've seen the Punch looks gtg as a defense ammo

[@jmurphy68463]

It doesn't have penetration.

[@jambajoby32]

@@jmurphy68463 pretty sure it’ll penetrate humans if needed in self defense scenario lol

[@waynecassels3607]

Thank you for explaining the 9mm ammo that is specifically made for short barrel carry guns. But what is the Federal HST round called that is made for short barrels?

[@frawdulent]

There isn’t one. There’s +P HST versions but no “short barrel” versions. Speer makes a Short Barrel Gold Dot though.

[@michaelhamilton7908]

Yes it is the 150 gr. Micro hst.

[@robertwest6874]

And the Federal 9mm 150 grain Micro Pistol ammunition hasn't yet returned to the retail market. Federal may have discontinued this offering. Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel has returned to the retail market in 9mm +P 124 grain, 40 S&W 180 grain, and 45 ACP 230 grain, which surprised me considering Speer Carry Gun ammo with G2 projectiles is advertised to function well in short barrels despite reported MV, ME, etc. being reported from standard barrel lengths also used for plain jane Gold Dot ammunition.

[@pewpewTN]

Federal is getting wild with their online prices.

[@danielpadgett2831]

I carry 124 grain federal hst but I will buy speer gold dot if federal hst is not available.

[@jimscallen6452]

Please do a video for the .45 acp self defense rounds

[@bosse641]

More ammo videos please :o)

[@thewolfhunter]

When I was a police firearms instructor,I carried the 124gr.+P Speer Gold Dot(53617) in my Glock 19 duty weapon and in my Glock 26 in a vest holster. Now I'm retired I carry that same load in my Glock 43 and my wife carries it in her Glock 26. It is our preferred carry load.

[@berettaxd7566]

Great ammo!

[@stacywilliams1710]

Good Information. Thank You

[@northernlightsandsirens4230]

I forgot their current name, but how does the current incarnation of the Winchester Ranger SXT/T stack up? I'd say Black Talon, but those are evil!

[@alm9951]

How are they evil?

[@thepatriotsrage661]

Would be f@ckn great if I could get any of these in decent quantity in my country... So we resort to Ranger T series / Ranger Bonded / Critical Duty / Golden Sabers / V-Crowns.

[@Platano_macho]

Just bought some 9mm 124 grain federal punch payed $12 for 20 rounds

[@spacedaddycereal73]

Good as deal... I seen it prices at$20

[@randalljeffs7272]

Good vid

[@richardefriend]

More like a Federal (and Gold Dot) commercial than a review.

[@jarvisbennett6442]

Congratulations Speer for introducing another Horandy Critical duty. How original. I'll rather be shot by neither though 🤦‍♂️🙃

[@michaelpage4199]

Great video. Life member here. Thanks for doing this

[@josephpacchetti5997]

If the HST you mention is the 150gr Forget it, They Suck.

[@BacklTrack]

I feel like you guys should have more subscribers being the nra and all

[@jamiecollett8840]

I'll stick with my underwood extreme defenders

[@simpledude5974]

Best ever.

[@theodorecendejas1343]

Yes sir. Hard to go wrong with those

[@jimmyp5487]

Wish I could find 9mm

[@frankmarks5890]

Go to Federal Premium website. There's a few on the internet that are still selling. I know neither. Just Google search HST Speer Gold Dot or punch. 9 millimeter ammo

[@josephpacchetti5997]

Ammo.com has some but be prepared to pay $35 + for fmj and $75 for HST plus $15 shipping!

[@jimkung1387]

OpticsPlanet has federal punch in stock and federal train and protect. Decent pricing

[@MasQueVencedorEnCristo]

My punch orders in thx

[@normskvarca]

Great advertisement

[@chrissewell1608]

Can someone Please....Bring back the Black Talons'?

[@mblake0420]

They are out there, just not black

[@Des420]

Winchester Ranger or PDX are the replacements.

[@1DRIPSTER]

Ranger T’s are todays black talons they’re just not black in color.

[@chrissewell1608]

@@mblake0420 Who makes the Smack Smalons now?

[@nelsonr1467]

Those are outdated. Use the ranger bonded stuff

[@majinojinn]

Hornady Critical Duty is going to sue Speer for copying their flextip...

[@elblancobasura]

I remember when HST was designed to be the "lower cost option" to the Gold Dot. The only "punch" I'm getting from these Mickey Mouse boutique ammo infomercials is in the guts as I'm doubled over getting pick pocketed by these pandemic exploiting ammunition pirates.

[@lesliewoinarowicz7018]

Would like some cheese with your whine?

[@josephpacchetti5997]

Amen

[@unclecracker5010]

I love the comments from people who say "This ammo is the best against this ammo and so on". Honestly how many people know anything "personal" about how a certain ammo performs other than the info they get from watching videos on KZbin. Not one of you shot anybody and dug the bullet out and said "Man that ammo sucks. It didn't expand like they said it would" Hahahaha. Jokers!!!!!

[@frawdulent]

I don’t trust 9mm.

[@markstephens5120]

Me either brother. I carry .45 or .40, and my back up is mod. 60 s&w .357mag.

[@chrisnorris9473]

Hollowp0intisthebestdefenseround

[@5jjt]

What makes a self defense round built for shorter barrels different than standard defense rounds?

[@Freakingstang]

Different faster buying powder to get the projectile moving fast enough to expand. Most defense rounds are tested out of a 4-5” barrel and most rounds will not perform well in the 3” barrel lengths well.

[@pewpewTN]

From what a lot of the testing shows, it's mostly nothing but marketing.

[@Mortlupo]

@@pewpewTN Except for ones where the hollow part isn't filled, that can cause an issue.

[@robertwest6874]

Shootingthebull410 has some YT videos but for short barrel he only tested the standard Speer Gold Dot 9mm +P 124 grain vsvthe short barrel Speer Gold Dot 9mm +P 124 grain ammo using a 3" or so barrel handgun. In that specific test, both performed equally. However, the Speer Gold Dot 115 grain, 124 grain, and 147 grain ammunition didn't pass his test protocols from a handgun with a 3" or so barrel. My take is the short barrel specific ammunition probably has a lower minimum impact expansion velocity than standard ammunition but sometimes a standard ammunition can also function well when fired from short barreled handguns.

[@rippertrain]

You know it will be a biased bad bad video when all the ammo in the video is all made by the same company. We arent dumb. This is just a comercial thumbs down

[@toddd7444]

great videooooooooooooooooooooooo