Federal HST
Definition
Federal Premium's mechanically formed open-cavity hollow-point design; 124 gr 9mm version produces consistent 0.60-0.65 inch expansion with near-100 percent weight retention; issued to US Secret Service and US Marshals Service.
- Manufacturer
- Federal Premium
- Design
- Mechanically formed open-cavity hollow point
- 124 gr 9mm expansion
- 0.60-0.65 inch
- Weight retention
- Near-100 percent
- Issued to
- US Secret Service, US Marshals Service
Common questions
What does 'mechanically formed' mean for the HST's cavity, as opposed to other hollow-point designs?+
The cavity and jacket-to-core bond are shaped through a precision mechanical process during manufacture rather than relying on a separate bonding agent or skived jacket cuts, which is credited with its consistent expansion and near-complete weight retention across barrier tests.
Why do agencies weigh near-100 percent weight retention as a meaningful selection factor for duty ammunition?+
A bullet that retains most of its mass after expansion delivers more consistent penetration depth and wound channel energy, since fragmentation or jacket separation can unpredictably reduce penetration or leave fragments that complicate both terminal performance and subsequent evidence recovery.
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