AMMO REVIEW: 9mm 147 gr Federal HST in Calibrated Gel (2021) 

SO glad you're back doing ammo reviews! You and Paul Harrell are the best on the web!

You produce some of the best ballistics videos on the internet. Thank you for all the hard work. Love you channel. Merry Christmas.

I like this guys channel so much. I was so disappointed when he gave it up a while back. Just a great scientific and unbiased approach to ammo testing.

Nine years ago, I was extremely "undecided" as to which self-defense round I wanted to carry. UNTIL, I discovered a video that TS uploaded onto this channel, testing the HST in .45ACP. I didn't look back. That test sold me. Unprecedented expansion & penetration. I'll never forget the term, 'effing tarantula'!!

I've really enjoyed your ammo tests over the years and hope you continue doing so. Thank you very much.

Wow your reviews are getting comprehensive! I remember watching your older reviews left some questions open abou different barrel lengths, consistency of performance and so on. Now you manage to answer every possible question precisely. Thanks for this great review!

Man, I am glad that you are back! Thank you for this review. I'm impressed by how well this ammunition works at standard 9mm pressures. In these times when you carry whatever you can buy, this is what I need to shop for. Thanks again, and Merry Christmas to TN and family!

After carrying Federal Hydra-shok for years I changed over to the 147 HST after watching your test several years ago. First of all I'm glad you're back. You produce some of the best info on youtube. Second after carrying yhec147 now for several real years I appreciate the update. For now I think I will continue with the HST.

If ever in doubt for what kind of self-defense ammo to choose, this federal 147 grain will work for you and is an exceptional standard self defense round.

Thank you Sir and I'm glad you're back consistently with more and more enjoyable...and educational videos on ccw rounds.

Another great job! I have always looked forward to viewing your tests of popular defensive ammunition. You are very thorough and consistent. Thank you and God bless you, Sir!

This has been my go to load for years. This test doesn't change anything for me. It's nice to see it still performing well into the next generation. Thanks for the great video review.

Christmas came early: another Tnoutdoors9 video. Yessss

Absolutely love this guys videos. Very informative but down to earth! Keep up the great job!

Love your reviews. Thanks for taking the time to show them. Glad your back. Look forward to whatever you do next.

This and Hornady Critical Duty 124 +P live in the barrels of my P320 and MP5. Both hold great groups and provide excellent potential down range. These videos give me confidence in my selections. The 147 HST remains subsonic in the MP5 and pairs nicely with a can.

My favorite load in 9mm. I've got a large stockpile of the older, 50ct LE boxes in both standard pressure and +P so I won't be buying these rounds any time soon, but I am glad the company is making incremental improvements whenever possible. Certainly better than just sitting on their laurels.

Glad to see this review, that is what I carry in my EDC, but I use the 124gr +P in another pistol I carry sometimes. It would be interesting to see you visit that rendition.

Thank you "King of Ammo" reviews. Always a pleasure to watch your videos.

I love your ballistic gel testing. It is probably the best gel testing on the internet.

Thank you for this comprehensive demonstration. You gave us a lot of very useful data here. HST ammo is one of, if not the best on the market.

Always a treat to see a new one from you, Tommy, thanks! Perfect one to review, too - this is the exact round that's in all my 9mm right now (2 CC and 2 home pistols), based in no small part on past reviews including your own. I was never satisfied with whatever brands I tried prior to these, either - but once I tried these, that was all she wrote. Merry Christmas to you and yours from all us up here! - Ed on the Ridge

I’ve been using the 147 HST since it came out. Recently I was in the market for a new case of them and ended up with the new version. I was made a where of the double cannelure by you sometime back. I’ve done my usual tests with it and can’t complain. I appreciate a little more penetration for a little less expansion. From my 3.4” 9mm’s I get consistent expansion between .58 & .62. I still love the 147gr HST. Thanks for the video.

"If you've been around this stuff long enough, you know exactly what I'm talking about" Me: pretty death flower time 😁

Looks like a great option for full sized barrels, I'd like to see a 3" similar test. Until then I'll just stick with the older versions in my P365... Thanks for another legendary video brother!

Never tried the 147gr but carry the 124 hst for quite a while now, I might try this out after I'm done with the last couple of boxes after new year's.

Now this is how you do a ballistic test! Man! First time watching your channel and I am impressed on how much detail you provided.

You were MIA for all this time and LOOK!!! Still managed to have 1/4+ million subscribers!!!!! You are THE ISH!!!!!! I hope all is well with you and you’re family. It is so pleasing to hear your voice back again. Looking forward for hundreds more videos from you. There will never be anyone like you. =D

Been carrying standard pressure 147gr HST in all of my carry guns for about the past 5 years. I’ll continue to carry it based on the results of this video.

Im pretty sure the 124 grain averages around 400 foot pounds versus 326 foot pounds. Both will hurt and kill of course, but I'd rather have 25% more energy per the math. I have a few hundred rounds of both 124, 147 and 150, but I would easily get rid of the 150 grain. This man got me into hollowpoints and helped me make my decision to use HST. It goes in my glock 30s too in .45 caliber.

Always a good review. So good to have you back and doing your great videos!!

Good stuff and didn't know they changed. But i like the older stuff by comparison. Thanks for your time and incredible videos. Glad your back and you look great TN

I appreciate you doing this research. I had been depending on 124 Grain 9mm because that was the bullet weight I used before I retired and was more familiar with the performance. However, after seeing this I will try a box of 147 Grain to see how well it does from my 1911 with it's 5 inch barrel.

124g HST has been and remains my EDC. I train with their matching 124g Syntec ammunition too (purple coated bullet). Federal's law enforcement/personal protection ammunition is as reliable as it gets.

I'll add to those who wish you would gel test the new version of the 147 in the 3.1" barrel ... And I'll also add to those who send their thanks to you for another great video. Your content never fails to delliver interesting and useful information, and this video is no exception. Thanks!

Beautiful slice through the block! Good looking ammo. Still the best reviews in the business keep it up 👍

Great test! I'd love to see a test with a 3" barrel.

Thank you! This will still be my round of choice for > 3.5 in barrels. I recently switched from Glocks to sigs (don’t tar and feather me, I shoot the sigs better but Glock is still my #2). All of my P320s are loaded with this my 365s are loaded with 124 hst. In any weight hst is my favorite round because it’s proven and I’ve never had one not go bang.

So glad to see you back. And I'm glad to see you using real ballistic gelatin. May God bless you and yours.

Your original vids lead me to choose this load as my standard. Thank you for your excellent content.

I use the 124gr HST almost exclusively in my 9mm pistols. The concern I have if 147gr is if it’ll hit expansion threshold in some of my smaller 9’s.

hug from a fan from Brazil!!!

So happy that you are making videos again!

I just realized you are back. So happy! I may be a few (5) months late but I really hope you keep at it. You are the most scientific tester on RU-vid. I love your format and you have the voice for it! Keep at it.

I am still using the older 147 HST rounds for now. But that is good information on the newer 147 HST rounds.

The HST is the absolute gold standard. (Sorry Gold Dot). I personally run 147 HSTs in all three barrel lengths. 4.49” 4.02” and 3.39”. No problems whatsoever! I’m more than confident in these rounds because not only do they pass in the labs (as our videos have shown) but they pass in the streets as well. Good video like always.

These have been my choice for a while now and after watching your video they will continue to be! Thank you for what you do, saves us a fair amount of time and money haha.

Easily the best and most informative 147gr HST test. You should do other ammo tests. Great work.

I prefer the previous HST construction. For my personal protection load I opt for Winchester Defend or Ranger T in 147 grain. The 124 gr Gold Dot from Underwood is also a phenomenal option.

It's so great to see you doing videos, again. Thank you so much for your time and effort into producing these, for us. You are very appreciated. Merry Christmas from Texas.

good to see you back again. hope you are well.

That is one of the most well put together video on ammo I've seen. Great job

Easily the best 9mm defensive round out there. You can carry other stuff, and it will work, but this is the standard. Didn't know they changed some stuff on it, thanks TN.

I've always said, "every handgun wants to be a Glock 19 and every bullet wants to be an HST." Getting that out of the way I carry a Glock 19 with 124 gr. HST because your tests look like mine and this combination just works. I hope I never need to use this to defend my life, but if I do I have a good feeling it will be every bit as effective as I hope. Thank you for your efforts and I wish you the best success in all you do.

Thank you for another detailed review. I'm still impressed with this round, and comfortable carrying it. Since I just invested in six boxes of it, I'm a happy camper. 😉

So glad to see you making videos again. One of my all time favorite channels :-)

Great video , I would’ve loved to see how the expansion was for the 3.1” barrel. I carry a 365 and use lighter bullets so it’s more likely to have proper expansion. But if I can shoot heavier bullets and still get good expansion that would be great.

Would love to see this load put through the 3.1" Shield into Gel or sim test media. Not sure I could be confident in them expanding based on their reduced performance out of the G19.

Said it before and I'll say it again: glad to see you doing ammo tests again!

Thanks so much for the review and hard work. I find your test and conclusions to be fully agreeable and see nothing that would dissuade me from using the 9mm HST as a Personal Defense round. The consistency of expansion and penetration is remarkable. So glad to see you doing what you have proven is a love of yours. None do it better IMHO. God bless.

Thanks for doing this. This is a pretty definitive test. If I would have done anything differently, I would have done three shots with the G19 and three shots with the Shield Plus (given how popular short barrelled 9mms have become.

Looks like a great SD round. I'd suggest shooting a 50rd box through your weapon before trusting it. Not because of ammo failure, but I've heard of a couple of the smaller micro handguns aren't liking 147gr ammo and causing FTF and FTEs, so make sure your gun likes what you're feeding it before you trust it.

I appreciate the way you cut the block and applied the lighting in this video. Overall, this is just an outstanding video!

Awesome review on my favorite carry load, very-very glad to see you're back!!!!!!! 👍👍👍

I've noticed a general trend of premium ammo, especially from Federal/Speer to be a half step slower than what was normal ten years ago, and I suspect that because of their advances in bullet technology the ammo will pass barrier and gel testing at lower velocities which will in turn let them load the ammo lighter which will reduce felt recoil and enhance practical accuracy while delivering identical terminal performance.

I actually think I'd prefer the performance of the previous HST over this new one. Not that it's bad at all, but doesn't seem like an improvement in my mind. I could see the argument for possible enhanced barrier penetration though. Thank you for pointing out the difference and doing a new test!

Love when I stumble upon these new vids. Great work as always.

HST is still too tier bullet. I am not surprised nor am I disappointed. Well done as always. It is so good to see you back & have your perspective.

HST is great stuff. I carry 147 in 9mm, 180 in .40, and 230+P in .45. .380? Well, I run Lehigh Extreme Defender in those. I don't trust anything to expand in such a weak caliber.

Interesting that they would mess with a good thing. I suppose it’s good they aren’t resting on their laurels.

Thanks for doing these test and using real gel. I know it's a lot of work so I appreciate it. Merry Christmas from NC!!

Love seeing ya back!!!

147gr HST are some of the only rounds that expand at 100yds from a glock 19, I personally run the +p 147gr.

The Federal HST 150 grain is designed for use specifically in micro pistols. It is a low velocity round that seems to work well.

I am glad to see you back producing content. Please keep it up.

I absolutely love your videos! Can't wait for more!

Another outstanding Video !🐽I have used this 9mm round in the past the 147 grain out of my Ruger PC carbine on Feral Hogs is accurate and performance is good out of the 16.5" barrel of the PC Carbine.I put down the Hog at 150 yards with a shoulder shot ruined a Boston butt as that cut of meat comes from the shoulder .but it killed the hog with one shot.

I still haven't seen an HST in any weight or caliber that wouldn't be an excellent choice for carry or home defense ammo.

It good to see you back Sir. PLease keep up the good work.

It's great to see another of your videos. Truly the best on the internet.

I’d be curious to see the same test run using the Shield Plus instead of the Glock 19. 147 grain HST has been my carry ammo for years and I have noticed the addition of a red sealant around the primer, with the more recent ammo having the blue sealant noted in the video. The double cannelure is interesting and I think I will keep using HST despite the changes.

Where did you go? You were gone and then back and now gone again?

Your reviews are very professional and to the point! Excellent work sir and Merry Christmas!

Thank God you’re back; I missed seeing your videos! You do a really good job!

Sounds like the new version of the round will be more consistent and slightly deeper penetrating. That's an improvement. I agree that I'd like to see slightly higher velocities, given that people are carrying shorter barrels nowadays. Federal could slightly increase velocity and still keep it subsonic at typical pistol barrel lengths. I prioritize penetration over expansion, as less expansion has an almost negligible impact on effectiveness but underpenetration can often render a shot completely ineffective. I tend to like to see 16-18" penetration depth. But I can't complain about 15" penetration, as it's perfectly in the middle of the 12-18" FBI standard. I expect that with a shorter barrel, there will be less expansion and deeper penetration. I'd be confident with this round as I have been in the past. Not only is it worthwhile to test smaller changes of the best rounds, the ones we carry, but even if there wasn't a change it's not a bad idea to test a known excellent round just to "recalibrate" once in a while after all the "innovative", novelty, and poorly performing rounds. The 147gr HST remains one of my preferred handgun cartridges for defense against unarmored human attackers. You can't go wrong with the other 9mm HSTs, either, which perform very similarly, but I tend to like the relatively heavier bullets. I prefer standard velocity over the +P. The standard velocity is better balanced and one of the best 9mm JHPs on the market. +P isn't needed.

Best 147 hst or gold dot

Thank you for your break down videos. I’ve always enjoyed them. They are excellent!!!

I appreciate the detail you went into here, very informative.

Always have used Hydroshock in my handguns. HST has become my choice go-to for personal protection. Knock down tests sold me a long time ago on that center post. Thank you for these updates. Wayne from Colorado Springs

So good to see you again its been years! youre looking good!

Keep them coming glad to see you back in action. Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

I use this in every 9mm handgun I carry. Thanks for the review and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

We love having you back bud keep up the good work

I'm glad you still have these going. Nobody ever came close to your ammo videos.

Great info., Great job. Glad to see you back on a regular basis. Hope you have a great Christmas.......

Thanks for updating our knowledge... You still do the best job on social media with ammo analysis...

I know these videos are labor intensive. Thank you for your hard work!

Thanks for the new uploads! Great content as always

I'm happy You are back at it! Thank You for another fantastic video. I like these rounds for 9mm and .45 acp.

Man, I'm glad you're back. I really like this round. I carry it.