Federal Hydra-Shok 380 Review: Pint-Sized Pocket Power

I’m going to be honest with you: I’m not a huge fan of the 380 ACP. I believe it’s an anemic round that lacks the kinetic energy needed to reach an acceptable penetration depth for self-defense. Needless to say, I’d feel a lot better with my trusty Glock 26 in 9mm Luger at my side over a Walther PPK or even an M&P Shield EZ.

However, if I did have a need to carry a 380 pistol, there’s no doubt in my mind that I’d be loading it with Federal Hydra-Shok 380 ammo. But can this tried-and-true hollow point bullet design propel the 380 ACP to acceptable levels of penetration for self-defense? (Spoiler Alert: Yes, it can.)

If you’ve been wary of dipping your toes into the land of pocket pistols and the 380 ACP for personal defense, then you’ve found the right article. In our in-depth ammo review of Federal Hydra-Shok 380, we will take a look at the history of the unique hollow point design, how it has evolved, and how Federal has put the 380 Auto back on the map for concealed carry.

If you’re already sold on the idea, then click HERE to see our massive selection of Federal ammo for sale. Otherwise, keep reading and enjoy the full ammo review!

Federal Hydra-Shok 380 Ammo Overview

Federal Premium is one of the three largest ammunition manufacturers in the USA (the other two being Remington and Winchester). Offering shooters a wide variety of shotshell, rimfire, and centerfire ammo, Federal Premium is always at the forefront of cartridge technology.

This is also true when it comes to handgun ammunition, as Federal's jacketed hollow point bullets are loaded in duty ammo used by numerous law enforcement agencies across North America. Known for reliable expansion and rugged durability, Federal Premium handgun ammo is perfect for concealed carry, home defense, and personal protection.

In 1989, Federal Premium released its brand new jacketed hollow point design: the Hydra-Shok. Distinguished by a unique center post inside its nose cavity, the Hydra-Shok jacketed hollow point has now met the personal defense and concealed carry needs of law enforcement and civilians for over 30 years.

The center post is designed to direct fluid and soft tissue into the side walls of the bullet cavity, thereby promoting faster terminal expansion and maximizing wound channel diameter – two facets of terminal performance which stop threats quickly.

The Federal Premium Hydra-Shok was designed to meet or exceed all the FBI specifications for handgun ammunition. This means the Hydra-Shok should perform well when fired through different barriers such as heavy clothing, drywall, and auto glass while still achieving 12-18” of penetration depth into ballistic gel.

Although John Moses Browning developed the 380 ACP for personal defense, the cartridge saw extensive use in the military prior to WWII and European law enforcement up until the 1970s. Legendarily suave spy James Bond also used the 380 ACP in his Walther PPK (Bond had originally carried a 25 Auto until Ian Fleming upgraded his firepower).

While it might have been good enough for MI6 super agents, many shooters across the USA feel the 380 ACP is underpowered. This is markedly true when comparing the 380 Auto to larger handgun cartridges like the 9mm Luger, 40 S&W, or 45 ACP.

However, many police officers still carry a 380 Auto as a backup gun. Firearm manufacturers have also embraced the cartridge's low recoil and ease of use by chambering several pocket pistols for it.

One of the biggest complaints about the 380 ACP is its lack of penetration. On bare ballistic gelatin, the 380 can typically reach the desired 12-18 inches of penetration. However, throw a barrier in front of it, and a 380 ACP hollow point bullet will have a hard time penetrating past 10 inches on a good day.

A 380 Auto expanding bullet is a hindrance to penetration while the FMJ bullet will penetrate deeper. This has caused many shooters to carry full metal jacket (FMJ) ammo in their pocket pistols instead of jacketed hollow points.

Using FMJ handgun ammo for self-defense is often frowned upon, as the potential for over-penetration is considerably higher, increasing the potential for hitting an innocent bystander. Even so, many shooters felt that FMJ ammo or the Remington Golden Saber 102 grain JHP load were their only options for their 380 ACP carry guns.

This mindset changed in 2017 when Federal Premium introduced its new Hydra-Shok Deep defense load. Foregoing the traditional center post in favor of a pyramid inside the bullet's nose cavity, the Federal Hydra-Shok Deep cartridge is designed to increase penetration without sacrificing the benefits of terminal expansion.

Initially launched as a 9mm 135 grain load, Federal's Hydra-Shok Deep label was eventualy expanded to 40 S&W, 45 ACP, and finally 380 Auto. The 380 ACP version of Hydra-Shok Deep ammo was released in 2020. Initial reports were very positive, citing exceptional penetration and expansion results.

Federal Premium has since introduced a new and more effective style of JHP for law enforcement and personal protection: the HST. This ammo is utilized by multiple police agencies, and also a favorite of civilian concealed carry permit holders as well as those concerned with home defense.

Federal Premium continues to innovate, and seems to always be at the forefront of personal defense ammunition technology. This isn’t going to change anytime soon!

Our Federal Hydra-Shok 380 Ammo Review

Federal 380 ACP Ammo - 50 Rounds of 95 Grain FMJ Ammunition

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During the early 2010s, single-stack 9mm Luger subcompact pistols were the new hotness in the American shooting community. Everyone was jumping on the bandwagon (except for me), with many shooters opting to carry the new Smith & Wesson M&P Shield chambered in 9mm.

Everyone expected Glock to follow suit with the highly anticipated launch of the Glock 42. But in 2014, Glock fans (like me) were shocked that the company released the Glock 42 chambered in 380 ACP instead of 9mm.

The Glock 42 was initially a major disappointment. It was closer to the size of a compact pistol, and it was chambered in 380 ACP instead of 9mm Luger. The Austrian Tupperware manufacturer might just have been onto something, though, as the low recoil impulse of the 380 Auto made the Glock 42 extremely easy to handle.

I’m admittedly not a huge fan of super lightweight 9mm pistols. I explained why in the Recoil section of this article: 9mm vs. 380 Auto.

However, if you love tiny pocket pistols, then picking solid self-defense ammo for it is critical to stopping a threat. The 380 ACP is underpowered already (compared to larger calibers), so having a defense load with exception terminal performance loaded in your magazines should be a top priority.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Federal ammunition. Their Hydra-Shok hollow points are no exception. I carry them daily in my EDC Glock 26, and I’m very impressed with Federal's newer HST hollow point bullet design.

If I were to carry a 380 pistol for personal defense, then I’d have no problems loading it with Hydra-Shok handgun ammo. These rounds are extremely reliable, accurate, and deadly when your shot placement is on point.

Federal Premium loads all their premium defensive ammo in nickel-plated cases, which I absolutely love and are great for reloading. These cases are corrosion resistant, and extra reliable thanks to the high surface lubricity of nickel. To read more about nickel-plated cases, check out this article: Nickel-Plated vs. Brass Cases.

The new Federal Hydra-Shok Deep ammo takes the 380 ACP to a whole new level, though. These rounds really put the 380 ACP on the map, and if I were to carry a SIG Sauer P365-380, Glock 42, or Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ, then I’d load up my mags with Hydra-Shok Deep.

I love the reengineered design of the Hydra-Shok hollow point. It ensures that these rounds not only punch through heavy clothing, but also exhibit enough penetration depth to reach the vital organs and stop the threat.

Although I’m not planning on retiring my Glock 26 anytime soon, I’d have no problem carrying Federal Hydra-Shok 380 as my EDC handgun ammunition. This ammo is an excellent choice for home defense or concealed carry, and it won’t let you down if the worst should happen.

What’s It Best For?

Federal 380 ACP Ammo - 50 Rounds of 95 Grain FMJ Ammunition

$22.99

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Federal Hydra-Shok 380 ammo is best for home defense or concealed carry. It is extremely accurate and delivers the terminal expansion which maximizes trauma to the threat while simultaneously reducing the risk of over-penetration.

Disadvantages

The biggest disadvantage to this round is the 380 ACP design itself. Many shooters feel it is underpowered. Furthermore, since the 380 Auto is less popular than the 9mm Luger, you’ll find that 380 ammo is generally more expensive even though the cartridge is smaller.

Pros and Cons

No manufacturer's ammo is perfect. Here are some of the pros and cons of Federal Hydra-Shok 380 ammunition you should be aware of.

Pros

Hydra-Shok Deep is engineered for excellent penetration
Low recoil
Reliable
Accurate

Cons

Lower penetration than more powerful rounds like 9mm Luger
A little pricey

Cartridge Specs

Here are the cartridge specs for Federal Hydra-Shok 380.

Federal Hydra-Shok 380 Cartridge Specifications

Variation Review

Federal 380 ACP Ammo - 50 Rounds of 90 Grain JHP Ammunition

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At the time of writing, Federal Premium currently offers two variations of 380 ACP Hydra-Shok defense loads. We will review both below, and explain why each one might be a better choice for your 380 ACP carry pistol.

Federal Premium Hydra-Shok Low Recoil 380 Auto 90 Grain JHP

If you’re sensitive to recoil – or simply want to put a lot of rounds on target quickly – then the Federal Hydra-Shok 90 grain defense load is a perfect choice. Engineered for fast follow-up shots, this low recoil option makes shooing a micro subcompact pistol considerably more enjoyable.

Many shooters report having better accuracy with low recoil rounds, making this an excellent choice for home defense or concealed carry. With 1,000 fps muzzle velocity and 200 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, this round is no slouch and can effectively defend your life should the need arise.

Federal Premium Hydra-Shok Deep 380 ACP 99 Grain JHP

Loaded with the new 99 grain Hydra-Shok Deep bullet, this cartridge makes the 380 ACP a legitimate round for concealed carry. Engineered to meet the penetration standards set forth by the FBI protocol, the Federal Hydra-Shok Deep bullet represents a new chapter for the 380 ACP.

Traveling at 975 fps at the muzzle with a heavier 99 grain bullet, this self-defense handgun ammo will be more than enough to stop any bad guy who threatens your life or your loved ones.

Ballistics for Federal Hydra-Shok 380 Ammo

We compiled ballistics tables for Federal Hydra-Shok 380 ammunition currently available on the market. Please note that muzzle velocities listed will vary depending on your handgun's barrel length.

			Velocity					Energy (ft-lbs)					Trajectory (in.)
Bullet	Length (in)	G1 BC	0yds	25yds	50yds	75yds	100yds	0yds	25yds	50yds.	75yds	100yds	0yds	25yds	50yds	75yds.	100yds
90gr Hydra-Shok JHP	3.75	0.103	1000	954	915	881	850	200	182	167	155	144	-0.17	0.0	-2.21	7.02	-14.64
99gr Hydra-Shok Deep JHP	3.75	0.093	975	929	889	854	822	209	190	174	160	149	-0.17	0.0	-2.34	-7.44	-15.51

Alternatives

Federal Hydra-Shok ammunition is sometimes hard to find in stock. However, this doesn’t mean your EDC handgun needs to sit at home in the gun safe. Here are some viable alternatives that you can load into your carry pistol with confidence.

Federal HST Micro 99 Grain JHP

If you can’t get your hands on Hydra-Shok Deep, then Federal HST Micro 99 Grain JHP will make a fine substitute. Loaded with the deadly HST hollow point, these defense rounds offer deep penetration and excellent expansion.

Speer Gold Dot 90 Grain JHP

Speer Gold Dot is one of North American law enforcement agencies most commonly used lines of ammunition. Known for extremely reliable expansion, this round's lighter bullet provides excellent muzzle velocity and penetration for the 380 Auto and is a fine substitute for Hydra-Shoks if you can’t get your hands on them.

Hornady 380 ACP Ammo - 25 Rounds of 90 Grain JHP Ammunition (Cases Not Nickel-Plated)

$26.49

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Hornady Critical Defense 90 Grain FTX

Designed specifically to meet the needs of civilian shooters, Critical Defense ammo by Hornady utilizes a polymer tip to initiate expansion and protect the hollow point from clogging. These rounds are particularly effective against targets wearing heavy clothing.

Remington Golden Saber 102 Grain JHP

For a long time, the Remington Golden Saber 102 grain JHP was one of the few rounds that consistently achieved 12” or more of penetration for a 380 Auto. Although the Remington Golden Saber hollow point is considered by many as an outdated bullet design, this classic JHP will still get the job done should you be unable to source Federal Hydra-Shok Deep ammo.

Parting Shots

Federal Premium is a company that never rests on its laurels. It is constantly innovating and developing new products for the American shooting community.

Federal Hydra-Shok 380 ammo is no exception, and the newer Hydra-Shok Deep bullet is a prime example of how the company is taking older technology and updating it for the modern era.

Without question, Hydra-Shok 380 ammo is an excellent choice for your favorite semi-auto pocket pistol or Glock 42. It’s a reliable round that is more than capable of defending your life should the need arise.

If you find your ammo supplies are running a little low, make sure you check out our full selection of Federal Ammo for sale and ready to ship to your door. Regardless of whether you plan on taking out your AR-15 carbine, Colt Python revolver, or Ruger 10/22, Federal has the ammo you need to keep those marksmanship skills high and ready to defend freedom at a moment's notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions we get asked a lot here at Ammo.com about Federal Hydra-Shok 380 ammunition.

Is Federal Hydra-Shok 380 worth buying?

Yes, Federal Hydra-Shok 380 ACP ammo is extremely reliable, accurate, and has low recoil for faster follow-up shots. It’s a great self-defense ammo option for your CCW pistol or home defense handgun.