Federal Hydra-Shok Deep: Now In .32 H&R Magnum And .45 LC

Federal continues to add to its self-defense options, offering pistoleers their choice of two new offerings in its Hydra-Shok Deep series. They’ve just added .45LC and .32 H&R Magnum options for this series of cartridges.

Federal ammunition @ TFB:

• The Rimfire Report: Federal Classic 40 gr CPRN - Still Good?
• Federal Punch Self-Defense Ammo Has New .25 ACP Option
• New Practice Ammo From Federal For 30 Super Carry
• The Rimfire Report: Federal Champion 36gr LHP Bulk Tested

Why Hydra-Shok?

Hydra-Shok rounds have been in Federal’s lineup since 1989, offering handgunners more hitting power. This lineup sees each entry refined for individual cartridges, instead of offering slapping some powder and a newfangled bullet together and calling it a day; each round is designed to put deep holes in your target, holes that are big enough to get the job done. As Federal puts it: “The new Personal Defense loads feature cartridge-optimized, controlled-expansion projectiles that provide the perfect balance between expansion size and penetration depth.”

Federal also knows that some of these pistol-caliber rounds might end up in rifles; when that seems likely, they design the rounds to be optimized for either possibility. With one of the new offerings being .45LC, that’s particularly important, as these are popular for lever guns.

“Our Hydra-Shok Deep bullet for the 45 Colt is designed and optimized to work within the limitations of the 45 Colt, from short revolvers to full-length carbine rifles,” says Chris Laack, Federal’s product manager for handgun ammo. “Our Hydra-Shok Deep bullet for 32 H&R supports the launch of several new guns in that cartridge as well as offering a lower recoil option in 327 Federal Magnum chambered revolvers.”

Having said that, both loads have Federal’s center post design bullet (aka Hydra-Shok Deep Jacketed Hollow Point (JSP) for improved expansion. Both rounds use a sealed primer, a specially-brewed powder and Federal Premium nickel-plated cases.

The .45LC load shoots a 210-grain bullet at 913 fps from a 6-inch barrel; the .32 H&R Magnum load shoots an 85-grain bullet at 1025 fps from a 4-inch barrel. Both are sold in boxes of 20 rounds; see the .32 H&R Magnum option here for $38.99. The .45LC loads are here, for $44.99.