9mm Carry Ammo: Federal HST vs. Speer Gold-Dot vs. Underwood Gold-Dot
I've been searching for a replacement 9mm carry load and my research thus far has brought me to these three contenders: Federal HST, Speer Gold-Dot, and Underwood Ammo Gold-Dot loads. Before coming across the Underwood ammo, I had narrowed my search to either the Speer Gold-Dot 124 grain +P or the Federal HST 147 grain, and was content to purchase a decent quantity of whichever showed up in stock first. However, the numbers on the Underwood ammo look very promising, and now I'm very seriously considering the Underwood 147 grain +P+ Gold-Dot loads. Unfortunately they seem to penetrate slightly less than either the Speer 124 grain +P Gold-Dots or the Federal 147 grain HSTs, but the expansion is phenomenal for a 9mm round. The Underwood 124 grain +P+ Gold-Dots seem to perform very well also, matching the penetration of the Speer and Federal loads with greater expansion than both, but with slightly less expansion than the Underwood 147 grain +P+ Gold-Dots.
I would like to discuss the merits and potential drawbacks of the loads listed below. Let's try to keep this civil and not turn into Speer worship fest... Yes, I understand they are the benchmark, the standby, the proven load by which all others seem to be measured. With that in mind I think the other loadings stack up very nicely in comparison, so let's keep this discussion objective and fact based please. Also, I am aware of the potential safety issues with +P+ ammunition. I only carry Glocks with factory barrels so that is not an issue.
Of the loads listed below, which would (or do) you carry, and why?
Federal HST 9mm Luger 124 grain
Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1150 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 364 ft/lbs
Federal HST 9mm Luger 124 grain +P
Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1200 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 396 ft/lbs
Speer 9mm Luger 124 grain
Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1150 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 364 ft/lbs
Speer 9mm Luger 124 grain +P
Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1220 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 410 ft/lbs
Video Link: 4 Layer Denim Test (by tnoutdoors9)
Penetration: 13.25"
Expansion: 0.614" average, 0.650" maximum
Retained Weight: 123.9 grains
Underwood 9mm Luger 124 grain +P
Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1225 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 413 ft/lbs
Underwood 9mm Luger 124 grain +P+
Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1300 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 465 ft/lbs
Video Link: 4 Layer Denim Test (by tnoutdoors9)
Penetration: 13.25"
Expansion: 0.703" average, 0.726" maximum
Retained Weight: 123.6 grains
Federal HST 9mm Luger 147 grain
Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1000 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 326 ft/lbs
Video Link: 4 Layer Denim Test (by tnoutdoors9)
Penetration: 13.25"
Expansion: 0.664" average, 0.667" maximum
Retained Weight: 147.9 grains
Federal HST 9mm Luger 147 grain +P
Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1050 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 360 ft/lbs
Video Link: 4 Layer Denim Test (by tnoutdoors9)
Penetration: 11.25"
Expansion: 0.700" average, 0.713" maximum
Retained Weight: 148.4 grains
Speer 9mm Luger 147 grain
Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 985 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 317 ft/lbs
Video Link: 4 Layer Denim Test (by tnoutdoors9)
Penetration: 14.25"
Expansion: 0.582" average, 0.587" maximum
Retained Weight: 146.0 grains
Underwood 9mm Luger 147 grain +P
Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1125 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 414 ft/lbs
Underwood 9mm Luger 147 grain +P+
Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1175 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 451 ft/lbs
Video Link: 4 Layer Denim Test (by tnoutdoors9)
Penetration: 12.75"
Expansion: 0.791" average, 0.814" maximum
Retained Weight: 145.4 grains
