First Look: Federal 30 Super Carry HST

A proven bullet design joins the 30 Super Carry cartridge lineup.

by
posted on April 25, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Federal 30 Super Carry HST

Designed from the ground up for concealed carry, the new 30 Super Carry cartridge caught a lot of attention after its recent introduction. It seems only fitting that Federal added a load for this cartridge in its highly regarded HST line of defensive ammo.

The HST is carried by many law enforcement agencies and citizens for self-defense. The capabilities of the HST bullet have been proven in other calibers and has been shown to be most reliable and effective bullet designs available today, which makes perfect sense that Federal would add the bullet to the HST line.

Federal is using a 100-grain HST hollow-point bullet in this load. The company states the round should make for 1,250 fps at the muzzle. That works out to be 347 ft.-lbs. of energy, which is respectable for a self-defense load. Of course, the bullet’s performance will vary from gun to gun, but that should be a solid performer regardless of barrel length.

HST bullets are designed to provide optimum penetration in gelatin and expand even after encountering intermediate barriers such as thick clothing. Penetration and expansion are often cited as being more important than energy as factors in stopping a violent attacker. Federal uses nickel-coated cases for improved lubricity and reliability.

If you are not familiar with the 30 Super Carry cartridge, the caliber was introduced earlier this year. Similar in length to the 9mm cartridge, the 30 Super Carry uses a projectile with a narrower diameter: .312-inches instead of 0.355 inches. This allows a firearm manufacturer to stack more cartridges into a magazine than a 9mm could fit into the same space. Ballistic testing suggests that the 30 Super Carry may have an effectiveness approaching the 9mm.

HST is part of the company’s premium personal defense ammunition offerings. As such, they are sold in smaller packages of 20 cartridges. The suggested retail price on a single box is $36.99. You can read additional information about the cartridge at federal premium.com.

Latest

disassembled rifle
disassembled rifle

Rifles: Building a Rifle from a Kit

Surplus kits are a great way to acquire that classic rifle you’ve been coveting.

First Look: Big Horn Armory Tactical Model 89 Takedown Lever Gun

Big Horn Armory's new takedown is chambered in .500 S&W Magnum and has a 16-inch barrel.

First Look: XS Sights for Diamondback SDR and Walther PDP

XS Sights introduces new offerings for the Diamondback revolver and Walther PDP pistol.

First Look: Sons of Liberty Gun Works Special USMC-Finish Rifles

SOLGW offers two new "frogskin" finishes to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps.

I Carry: Springfield Armory Echelon Compact 9 mm Pistol in a Mission First Tactical Holster

In this week's episode of "I Carry," we have a Springfield Armory Echelon Compact 9 mm pistol carried in a Mission First Tactical Ambi IWB holster with a Burris FastFire E enclosed-emitter red-dot sight.

St. Louis County Police Department Adopts Springfield Armory Echelon Pistol

The St. Louis County (MO) police department, with nearly 1,000 officers, has adopted the Echelon as its duty pistol.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.