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View Full Version : Funky looking HST bullets


Allen
02-10-2019, 07:40
I bought some of these the other day but have not loaded them yet. They are Federal HST 130gr 38/357 bullets and as shown are quite blunt. The base appears to be slightly concave I suppose to help with the expansion. I've heard of people loading cast hollow base wadcutters backwards to achieve a similar bullet but with the soft lead comes the requirement for greatly reduced loads. While these are jacketed and can take a stiffer charge they are still intended for short barrel pistols. The bullets they make for auto loaders are more pointed or rounded to aid against jamming. The last picture shows one of these shot into a block of gelatin and while it may have taken a thousand shots to produce such a perfect "bloom" it is still a far cry better than the results I've had shooting regular HP's. Often the hollow point caves in rather than expanding or mushrooming out.

Do any of you have any experience with these?
Major Tom
02-10-2019, 09:39
Looks to be a really good bullet!
Sunray
02-10-2019, 10:40
"...loading cast hollow base wad cutters backwards..." Looks scary, but is still just a very soft cast or swaged bullet. The HST is just another jacketed HP. Gets loaded just like a WC in Federal's .38 +P ammo too.
https://www.federalpremium.com/products/handgun/premium-personal-defense/personal-defense-hst-micro/p38hst1s
Clark Howard
02-16-2019, 06:26
I tried to find these bullets in my usual suppliers inventories, but I could find no reference to them. Where did you find them? Thanks, Clark
Allen
02-16-2019, 07:23
"...loading cast hollow base wad cutters backwards..." Looks scary, but is still just a very soft cast or swaged bullet. The HST is just another jacketed HP. Gets loaded just like a WC in Federal's .38 +P ammo too.
https://www.federalpremium.com/products/handgun/premium-personal-defense/personal-defense-hst-micro/p38hst1s

Thanks for the post and info.
Allen
02-16-2019, 07:45
I tried to find these bullets in my usual suppliers inventories, but I could find no reference to them. Where did you find them? Thanks, Clark

From a seller on GB. If viewed you will need to log on or hit the "X" on the top right corner. He has since pulled the listing but showed to have some in stock at the time. You may need to inquire to him if interested or he may just list them later. He had HST bullets for the auto's as well but pulled those listings as well. The 2nd seller (who I've bought from in the past) has some 9mm, 357 Sig and 40cal HST bullets but may be pulled bullets. They're probably OK but just wanted you to know.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/798000336

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?IncludeSellers=2923802

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?IncludeSellers=2201491
Allen
03-01-2019, 02:49
Clark Howard

PM sent
Vern Humphrey
03-03-2019, 01:43
I loaded swaged hollowbase wadcutters backward in my Colt M357 and took it to Viet Nam my first tour. They work (served two customers) but they leaded ferociously.
Dieppe42
08-08-2019, 09:33
The factory loaded rounds look very much like wadcutters, with a very pronounced roll-crimp with the projectile below the case mouth. The 38+P is my home defense round, as it is manageable by my wife, and deemed to be very effective.