Comparison
of Hornady Critical Duty compared to HST and TAC-XP
All information on this page provided by Doctor Gary Roberts
This test highlights the performance of the 9mm, .40 Hornady, and .45 "Critical Duty" ammunition compared to several well-known types of ammunition.9mm Hornady 135gr Critical Duty at 1085fps:
|
|
Penetration |
Recovered
Diameter |
Recovered
Length |
Recovered
Weight |
|
Bare
gelatin |
15.7" | 0.52" | 0.49" | 134.6gr |
|
4-layer
denim |
17.8" | 0.47" | 0.55" | 134.1gr |
9mm Federal 147gr HST at 1005fps:
|
|
Penetration |
Recovered
Diameter |
Recovered
Length |
Recovered
Weight |
|
Bare
gelatin |
14.0" | 0.65" | 0.41" | 147.6gr |
|
4-layer
denim |
16.5" | 0.60" | 0.53" | 147.5gr |
Top row: Bare gelatin, Hornady CD to the left of the dime, Federal HST to the right
Bottom row: 4-layer denim, Hornady CD to the left of the dime, Federal HST to the right
9 mm Hornady 135 gr +P Critical Duty at 1185 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 17.9" | 0.52" | 0.50" | 135.6" |
| 4-layer denim | 18.1" | 0.48" | 0.53" | 134.1" |
9 mm Fed 135 gr +P bonded Tactical (LE9T5) at 1069 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 14.5" | 0.58" | 0.34" | 134.6gr |
| 4-layer denim | 15.0" | 0.56" | 0.43" | 134.1gr |
9 mm BH 115 gr +P Barnes Tac-XP at 1069 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 15.0" | 0.52" | 0.49" | 115.4gr |
| 4-layer denim | 14.0" | 0.52" | 0.49" | 115.7gr |
Top row: Hornady Critical Duty (5), dime, Federal 135gr bonded, Barnes TAC-XP in bare gelatin
Top row: Hornady Critical Duty (5), dime, Federal 135gr bonded, Barnes TAC-XP in 4-layer denim
9 mm 147 gr +P HST (P9HST4) at 1069 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 14.4" | 0.64" | 0.41" | 147.5gr |
| 4-layer denim | 16.3" | 0.59" | 0.43" | 147.8gr |
9 mm Fed 147 gr HST (P9HST2) at 1005 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 14.0" | 0.65" | 0.41" | 147.6gr |
| 4-layer denim | 16.5" | 0.60" | 0.53" | 147.5gr |
.40 Hornady 175 gr Critical Duty at 985 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 16.9" | 0.51" | 0.56" | 175.1gr |
| 4-layer denim | 19.4" | 0.45" | 0.60" | 174.6gr |
.40 Fed 180 gr HST (P40HST1) at 986 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 13.8" | 0.70" | 0.33" | 181.5gr |
| 4-layer denim | 15.8" | 0.65" | 0.48" | 183.5gr |
.40 Fed 165 gr HST (P40HST3) at 1129 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 13.5" | 0.69" | 0.39" | 165.6gr |
| 4-layer denim | 18.0" | 0.60" | 0.47" | 167.8gr |
.40 Fed 155 gr HST (P40HST2) at 1150 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 12.5" | 0.67" | 0.34" | 155.4gr |
| 4-layer denim | 15.5" | 0.61" | 0.41" | 156.6gr |
.40 BH 140 gr Barnes Tac-XP at 1267 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 13.5" | 0.63" | 0.48" | 139.5gr |
| 4-layer denim | 14.5" | 0.61" | 0.47" | 142.2gr |
Top row: Hornady 175gr CD (5), (dime), 180gr HST, 165gr HST, 155gr HST, 140gr Barnes TAC-XP in bare gelatin
Bottom row: Hornady 175gr CD (5), (dime), 180gr HST, 165gr HST, 155gr HST, 140gr Barnes TAC-XP in 4-layer denim
.45 Hornady 220 gr +P Critical Duty at 951 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 16.0" | 0.65" | 0.52" | 219.3gr |
| 4-layer denim | 16.4" | 0.63" | 0.55" | 218.3gr |
.45 Fed 230 gr +P HST (P45HST1) at 936 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 13.8" | 0.82" | 0.42" | 231.2gr |
| 4-layer denim | 14.5" | 0.76" | 0.50" | 234.4gr |
.45 BH 185 gr +P Barnes Tac-XP at 810 fps:
| Penetration | Recovered diameter | Recovered length | Recovered weight | |
| Bare gelatin | 13.3" | 0.64" | 0.56" | 185.6gr |
| 4-layer denim | 12.5" | 0.64" | 0.56" | 185.5gr |
Top row: Hornady 220gr CD (5), (quarter), Federal 230gr HST, Barnes 185gr TAC-XP in bare gelatin
Bottom row: Hornady 220gr CD (5), (quarter), Federal 230gr HST, Barnes 185gr TAC-XP in bare gelatin
Summary
In general, the Hornady Critical Duty ammunition did NOT perform as well as several current JHP loads. The best performing Critical Duty load was the .45 Auto 220 gr +P and the worst performing was the .40 S&W 175 gr. In areas where conventional JHP designs are prohibited, the Hornady Critical Duty joins the Federal EFMJ as an option that is better than the Corbon Powerball or FMJ loads.The Barnes all copper JHP bullets are an outstanding choice when lighter weight service caliber handgun projectiles are desired.
The Fed HST line is among the best duty loads currently available for service caliber pistols. HST’s tend to work best using heavier bullets (147 gr, 180 gr, 230 gr) at moderate velocities, with standard pressures.