{"id":8253,"date":"2022-05-26T19:44:53","date_gmt":"2022-05-26T19:44:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/?p=8253"},"modified":"2022-05-27T22:55:32","modified_gmt":"2022-05-27T22:55:32","slug":"federal-hst-vs-speer-gold-dot-best-defensive-round","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/federal-hst-vs-speer-gold-dot-best-defensive-round\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot: Best Defensive Round"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to self-defense rounds, two of the most prominent options in the industry are Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot. Both manufacturers have been around for decades. In fact, CCI\/Speer was founded in the 1940s, and Federal dates all the way back to 1916.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During that time, both manufacturers became incredibly skilled at making high-quality ammunition. But which option is the top choice for defense rounds? We wanted to find out, so we compared these two historic brands head-to-head.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What Is Self-Defense Ammo?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_10282\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10282\" class=\"wp-image-10282 size-full\" title=\"Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC8794-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a photo comparing Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC8794-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC8794-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC8794-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC8794-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10282\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">As two of the most trusted names in the industry, Federal and Speer have been manufacturing quality ammo for more than 80 years.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before we dive into the face-off, let\u2019s discuss what makes these rounds so great in the first place. While there are many factors that influence the performance of the Gold Dot and HST rounds, the JHP design probably makes the largest impact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JHP or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/handgun\/9mm-ammo?ammo_use_type=1436&amp;manufacturer=1\">jacketed hollow point ammunition<\/a> is designed to rapidly expand as soon as it hits its target. This increases the effectiveness of the round while also minimizing the risk of over-penetration. The goal of JHP ammunition is to leave a massive wound cavity without endangering whatever is behind your target.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike FMJ (full metal jacket) ammo, JHP rounds have a distinct hole in the tip of each bullet. This hollow tip is what causes the rapid expansion and makes JHP rounds an excellent choice for law enforcement, hunting applications, and self-defense. However, they are not as effective against hard targets like steel, concrete, or body armor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Choosing A Defensive Round<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_10312\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10312\" class=\"wp-image-10312 size-full\" title=\"speer gold dot 124gr self defense ammo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC8742-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a photo of speer gold dot 124gr self defense ammo\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC8742-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC8742-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC8742-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC8742-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10312\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Make sure your self-defense ammo is a JHP design (like Speer Gold Dot &#8211; pictured) with consistent penetration and expansion.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both the Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST are considered JHP rounds. As mentioned above, this is perhaps the most important feature that you should look for in a defensive round.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since Gold Dot and HST ammunition have a <a href=\"https:\/\/patents.justia.com\/inventor\/thomas-j-burczynski\">similar overall design<\/a>, we decided to assess each on four specific criteria:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Consistent Penetration<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The penetration of a round refers to how far it enters into the target. This figure is expressed in inches during ballistics testing. While you want the bullet to penetrate the intended target, overpenetration can be a negative.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a bullet over penetrates, then it could potentially endanger whatever is behind your target. This is a concern for both law enforcement and civilians that are deploying their weapons for self-defense. While you have a right to defend yourself, you are also responsible for every round that you fire. If you are using a bullet that is too hot, the overpenetration could strike an innocent bystander.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, a bullet that rips through a target too easily might not leave a meaningful wound cavity. This means that it may not stop the threat unless you strike a vital organ directly. You&#8217;ve likely seen this scenario play out in scenarios <a href=\"https:\/\/www.police1.com\/patrol-issues\/articles\/why-shooting-to-wound-doesnt-make-sense-scientifically-legally-or-tactically-6bOdYvNUEECtIWRI\/\">involving law enforcement<\/a> where a suspect continues to charge after being shot multiple times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, a penetration depth of 15\u201d to 20\u201d is what we are looking for in a handgun caliber defense round. This will give the bullet the opportunity to expand while minimizing the chances of collateral damage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Reliable Expansion<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to the design of both the Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot rounds, they expand on impact. The JHP flares out and creates a large wound cavity. This process also slows the bullet and prevents overpenetration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without proper expansion, the defense round may not perform as desired in a real-life situation. Fortunately, both the HST and Gold Dot rounds are known for their reliability and consistent expansion across all calibers. This performance is part of why these two rounds are so popular for self-defense purposes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Compatibility<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is where things can get a bit confusing for less experienced shooters. While a particular round may be compatible with your weapon, it may not be the ideal choice for your platform.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, Speer offers several variations of the 9mm Gold Dot ammunition, including 115, 124, 135, and 147gr bullets. They also offer a few +P versions. Similarly, Federal HST 9mm rounds are available in 124, 147, and 150gr variants.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s say that your go-to carry pistol is a micro 9mm that is rated for +P ammo. Even though you can use a +P round in that weapon, it might not provide optimal controllability. Instead, you may want to opt for something with slightly less pop so that you can improve your ability to get rounds on target under stress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forever looking to improve their product lineups, both Federal and Speer now offer defense rounds geared for use in micro pistols. This allows you to optimize performance without sacrificing controllability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Upgraded Casings<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The material that your ammo is encased in can often be an afterthought. However, it shouldn\u2019t be, especially if you live in a humid environment like Florida. Traditional brass cases can corrode, which could impact performance or cause a failure to fire.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal HST and Speer Gold Dot are both encased in nickel-plated brass. The nickel plating protects them from corrosion so that your rounds will perform as designed in virtually any climate. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/brands\/federal-ammo\">Federal<\/a> goes as far as to put a sealant on their primers to make them less susceptible to corrosion.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Ballistic Matchup<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_10300\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10300\" class=\"wp-image-10300 size-full\" title=\"retrieving a bullet from ballistic gel\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9146-Web.jpg\" alt=\"A photo of a woman retrieving a bullet from ballistic gel\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9146-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9146-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9146-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9146-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10300\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Too close to call? Comparing the superlatives of Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot is a difficult task.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since Speer and Federal manufacture their defense rounds in a variety of calibers, we had to narrow things down a bit. If we&#8217;re going to pick a self-defense champ, we wanted to make sure that our competitors were in the same weight class. We chose the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/handgun\/9mm-ammo#speer-le-gold-dot-9mm-124-grain-jhp-50-rounds\">Speer LE Gold Dot 124gr 9mm<\/a> round, and the Federal HST 124gr 9mm round for our matchup. We also added in the +P version of the Federal HST, to see if a hotter round could best the standard cartridges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In terms of penetration, the Speer Gold Dot is known for its consistency. Federal HST on the other hand is generally considered as the most consistent when it comes to expansion.\u00a0 Both of these rounds are highly regarded in both the civilian self-defense and law enforcement communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if both rounds expand as intended, this comparison is going to be a lot more interesting. Consistent expansion is a great sign that they would produce an effective wound cavity. In addition, all Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot rounds are inspected before shipping to ensure reliability. To say that this will be a close race would be an understatement. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s take a look at how things went down below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Ballistic Testing: Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot<\/h3>\n<h4>Federal HST<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-10285 size-large\" title=\"Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HST2_DSC-Web-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"a photo comparing Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HST2_DSC-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HST2_DSC-Web-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HST2_DSC-Web-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HST2_DSC-Web-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HST2_DSC-Web-790x790.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In our HST ballistic test, we fired five rounds using a Glock model 45 pistol (chambered in 9x19mm) with a 4\u2033 barrel. The ammunition used was Federal Personal Defense HST 124gr JHP. We used the FBI standard distance of 10ft, shooting into two gel blocks with a four-layer fabric barrier. All five rounds expanded and captured some of the fabric material in the well. The HST had an average velocity of 1116 FPS. The ammo experienced an average penetration depth of 17.2\u2033 with 18.5\u2033 being the deepest point. The ammo had a 1.3\u2033 difference in grouping distance when at rest inside of the gel block.<\/p>\n<p><!-- CSS Code --><\/p>\n<p><!-- HTML Code --><\/p>\n<div class=\"b-wrss-table-wrap\"><table class=\"GeneratedTable\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Ammunition Velocity<\/th>\n<th>Shot #1<\/th>\n<th>Shot #2<\/th>\n<th>Test Shot #3<\/th>\n<th>Shot #4<\/th>\n<th>Shot #5<\/th>\n<th>Average Velocity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Federal Personal Defense HST <span style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;\">124gr JHP<\/span><\/td>\n<td>1099<\/td>\n<td>1061<\/td>\n<td>1154<\/td>\n<td>1150<\/td>\n<td>1120<\/td>\n<td><strong>1116 FPS<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<h4>Federal HST +P<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-10286 size-large\" title=\"Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HST2-P_DSC-Web-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"a photo comparing Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HST2-P_DSC-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HST2-P_DSC-Web-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HST2-P_DSC-Web-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HST2-P_DSC-Web-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HST2-P_DSC-Web-790x790.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In our HST +P ballistic test, we fired five rounds using a Glock model 45 pistol (chambered in 9x19mm) with a 4\u2033 barrel. The ammunition used was Federal Personal Defense HST +P 124gr JHP. Again, we used the FBI standard distance of 10ft, shooting into two gel blocks with a four-layer fabric barrier. All five rounds expanded and captured some of the fabric material in the well. The HST had an average velocity of 1150 FPS. The ammo experienced an average penetration depth of 16.87\u2033 with 17.5\u2033 being the deepest point. The ammo had a .63\u2033 difference in grouping distance when at rest inside of the gel block.<\/p>\n<p><!-- CSS Code --><\/p>\n<p><!-- HTML Code --><\/p>\n<div class=\"b-wrss-table-wrap\"><table class=\"GeneratedTable\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Ammunition Velocity<\/th>\n<th>Shot #1<\/th>\n<th>Shot #2<\/th>\n<th>Test Shot #3<\/th>\n<th>Shot #4<\/th>\n<th>Shot #5<\/th>\n<th>Average Velocity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Federal Personal Defense HST +P <span style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;\">124gr JHP<\/span><\/td>\n<td>1133<\/td>\n<td>1125<\/td>\n<td>1180<\/td>\n<td>1155<\/td>\n<td>1160<\/td>\n<td><strong>1150 FPS<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<h4>Speer LE Gold Dot<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-10287 size-large\" title=\"Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Speer-GD_DSC-Web-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"a photo comparing Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Speer-GD_DSC-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Speer-GD_DSC-Web-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Speer-GD_DSC-Web-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Speer-GD_DSC-Web-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Speer-GD_DSC-Web-790x790.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In our Gold Dot ballistic test, we fired five rounds using a Glock model 45 pistol (chambered in 9x19mm) with a 4\u2033 barrel. The ammunition used was Gold Dot 124gr JHP. As usual, we used the FBI standard distance of 10ft, shooting into two gel blocks with a four-layer fabric barrier. All five rounds expanded and captured some of the fabric material in the well. The Gold Dot had an average velocity of 1079 FPS. The ammo experienced an average penetration depth of 16.1\u2033 with 16.65\u2033 being the deepest point. The ammo had a .55\u2033 difference in grouping distance when at rest inside of the gel block.<\/p>\n<p><!-- CSS Code --><\/p>\n<p><!-- HTML Code --><\/p>\n<div class=\"b-wrss-table-wrap\"><table class=\"GeneratedTable\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Ammunition Velocity<\/th>\n<th>Shot #1<\/th>\n<th>Shot #2<\/th>\n<th>Test Shot #3<\/th>\n<th>Shot #4<\/th>\n<th>Shot #5<\/th>\n<th>Average Velocity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Speer LE Gold Dot 124gr GDHP<\/td>\n<td>1104<\/td>\n<td>1072<\/td>\n<td>1053<\/td>\n<td>1080<\/td>\n<td>1086<\/td>\n<td><strong>1079 FPS<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<h3><strong>Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot: Edging Out The Competition<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_10280\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10280\" class=\"wp-image-10280 size-full\" title=\"shooting a glock 45 handgun outdoors\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9120-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a photo of a man shooting a glock 45 handgun outdoors\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9120-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9120-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9120-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC9120-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10280\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">If your carry gun is a subcompact or compact size, the standard 124gr Gold Dot and HST rounds are an excellent self-defense option.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During our head-to-head comparison, neither round faltered. In fact, in terms of consistency, both rounds performed incredibly well. The HST had superior penetration depth, giving it a slight edge over the Gold Dot when shooting through barriers. Both options showed excellent expansion, with minimal tumbling in the ballistic gel. In order to choose a winner, we also had to also look at compatibility and versatility.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to those criteria, the Gold Dot gets the edge with more available options. While Federal HST ammunition is available in a variety of calibers and bullet weights, Speer Gold Dot just offers more options. Speer offers Gold Dot ammunition in 14 unique calibers while Federal only carries HST in 9 calibers. No matter which handgun platform you are running, either of these options are great for self-defense ammo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>As always, remember to run a test box of ammo through your carry gun to ensure compatibility. If you&#8217;re looking for additional ammo comparisons, check out our review of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/federal-hst-vs-hydra-shok\/\">Federal HST VS Hydra-Shok<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to self-defense rounds, two of the most prominent options in the industry are Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot. Both manufacturers have been around for decades. In fact, CCI\/Speer was founded in the 1940s, and Federal dates all the way back to 1916.\u00a0 During that time, both manufacturers became incredibly skilled at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":10272,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48,561,395],"tags":[229,230,232,1132,1089,1146,1087,1088,237,455,1147,403,1148,1149],"class_list":["post-8253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ammo","category-ammo-guides","category-self-defense","tag-9mm","tag-9mm-ammo","tag-best-9mm-ammo","tag-federal-hst","tag-federal-hst-ammo","tag-federal-hst-vs-speer-gold-dot","tag-hst","tag-hst-ammo","tag-jhp-9mm-ammo","tag-self-defense-ammo","tag-speer","tag-speer-9mm-ammo","tag-speer-gold-dot","tag-speer-gold-dot-ammo"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot: Best Defensive Round - Wideners Shooting, Hunting &amp; Gun Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Check out this helpful article comparing Federal HST VS Speer Gold Dot. 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