I bought my first box of Federal HST ammo when Federal would sell it to any gun shop at Law Enforcement prices. Then Federal started exclusively selling directly to police agencies. Since few people make a bonded hollow point .45 ACP 230gr +P load, I was forced to find overrun lots to keep my supply up.
Those days are coming to an end!
Awesome! Now my local shop will be able to carry this stuff again!
And I’m sure there will be plenty available!
Well, it’s good they want to sell it to us again, anyway. I’ve only seen good things about HST, but since I can’t find i regularly, I’ve been carrying overruns of Ranger T. …which I also can’t find any more, so I’ve been carrying Hornady XTP in my 9mm and Gold Dots in my .45. I think HST is probably a bit better than either of those, but I don’t think they would be ineffective.
The problem now is finding and being able to afford enough of something to make sure my 1911 likes it.
To be fair the difference between one JHP load and another, if they’re all reputable brands is about the same difference between common defensive calibers.
If you have loads that work, and loads you like, I wouldn’t go looking at other brands just because. The difference between a 200gr Gold Dot, and a 230 grain HST is virtually nothing, and I wouldn’t blow my bankroll on new ammo to switch unless you had a need.
I won’t lie, a bonded bullet in 230 gr going at 950 fps gives me a little more confidence, just the same way why I like carrying a .45.
Also for ammo testing, I generally like to run 100-200 rounds of dirty cheap ammo (Like Tula or Wolf) through my gun first, THEN follow with your test set of carry loads.
Let them win your confidence in an uphill battle.