Hydra-Shok



Hydra-Shok is a type of expanding bullet used in commercial ammunition made by Federal Cartridge. It was originally patented by bullet designer Tom Burczynski. Hydra-Shok bullets feature a unique, patented center-post design and notched jacket. Together they are meant to provide more reliable expansion and deeper penetration. Center post designed bullets like Hydra-Shok have more predictable results and therefore offer some advantage as a projectile. In ballistic gelatin, the bullet typically displays very rapid expansion resulting in a larger but more shallow wound channel than would be typical from most other bullet configurations in the same caliber and of similar weight.

The Hydra-Shok bullet is available in various calibers; 9 mm, 10 mm, .32 ACP, .380 ACP, .38 S&W Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .45 GAP, and .44 Magnum. It can also be found in 12ga. shotgun slugs. (http://www.federalpremium.com:80/m/product_listing.aspx?f=2&t=2&b=31)

The Hydra-Shok cartridge is a hollow point round. Another bullet, referred to as FMJ(Full Metal Jacket) has a smooth, rounded tip designed for accuracy and penetration. A hollow point round, however, has a hollow tip that causes it to expand upon impact. The expansion of the bullet increases the amount of energy delivered to the target, instead of the bullet passing through and dissipating its energy elsewhere. The Hydra-Shok cartridge is designed to have maximum stopping power which makes it very effective.