If you look at some hollow point ammunition, like Federal Hydra-Shok, you will see that though the bullet is indeed hollow at the point, there is a raised center post in the middle of the depression.
Now, compare this to what you might call a more advanced iteration of defensive ammo, Federal HST, and you will see it is absent.
But what’s the reason for this, and is it consequential, one way or the other?
Why a Center Post in the First Place?
The reason that Federal Hydra-Shok bullets have a center post in the nose of the hollow point is every bit related to disruption, cavitation, and stopping power.
When a hollow point bullet encounters a target, namely a target made mostly of water (which is not compressible), it experiences an enormous amount of pressure and stress.
As the void in the nose fills with fluid, it presses outward against the inner walls of the hollow point, pressing them outward and peeling them away, generating the familiar mushroom shape that occurs when a bullet undergoes consistent disruption.
The presence of a center post actually serves to funnel, or redirect, the fluid forces outward against the walls of the hollow point, magnifying the pressure, resulting in more devastating, rapid expansion.
It actually makes sense if you think about it once you have the explanation. But what doesn’t make sense is why Federal would then remove it in HST ammo. So what’s going on there?
Let’s take a look.
Why No Center Post in Federal HST “Hydra-Shok Technology?”
If it works so well, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher why Federal would remove the center post in the first place.
Well, Federal performed extensive testing, and determined that it just wasn’t necessary. The design of the updated Federal HST bullets simply performed as intended and didn’t require the presence of the center post.
If that weren’t enough, Federal HST ammo has also been extensively tested against plugging, a phenomenon that occurs when the bullet encounters an interposing barrier between it and the intended target. When hollow points plug, they often fail to disrupt as intended.
Fortunately this is not an issue with HST, and in fact, the deeply skived bullets not only do not plug but offer rapid, devastating disruption and large wound channels, delivering exceptional stopping power, center post or not.
Where to Get Federal HST Online
If you stumbled upon this page not because you were looking for a vehement defense of Federal HST but because you needed to restock your ammo cans, you’re still in the right place. You can get HST online at Bucking Horse Outpost.
Even if HST isn’t your preferred defensive ammo, Bucking Horse Outpost is the website to bookmark. They carry a wide range of popular ammo and calibers, along with holsters, magazines, shooting accessories and much more.
Bookmark their page and make sure when you check in periodically you don’t miss their collection of police trade-in specials and other deals.
