Preview: Federal Premium Hydra-Shok Deep .380 ACP

by
posted on February 4, 2021
** 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-premium-hydra-shok-deep-f.jpg

Just because you’re recoil-sensitive or need a smaller concealed-carry gun doesn’t mean you should compromise on ballistics. That’s Federal Premium’s take on its incredibly effective Hydra-Shok load, and now the company is making this dedicated defensive load available in the popular .380 ACP chambering.

For years, .380 ACP has been considered a sub-standard round for personal protection, and it’s often classified as the bare-minimum level of defensive capability that a concealed carrier should consider when choosing a self-defense chambering. This contention was backed up by testing that showed many .380 ACP loads as being incapable of meeting FBI protocol standards for ballistic penetration. Thanks to the Federal Premium Hydra-Shok load in .380 ACP, that shortcoming is a thing of the past.

Each Federal Premium Hydra-Shok .380 ACP load is topped with the company’s 99-gr. Hydra-Shok bullet complete with a deep center post and a compact core design. The advanced bullet design, combined with a muzzle velocity of 1,000 f.p.s. through short-barreled self-defense guns, means that this load will not only expand aggressively, it will also expand deeply. Federal claims that this load is designed to penetrate consistently beyond the FBI-recommended 12” minimum penetration depth through bare ballistic gelatin and heavy clothing.

The secret to the performance of these Federal Premium Hydra-Shok loads in .380 ACP is the center-post design of the projectile, which has been revamped for 2021 to provide more consistent expansion, particularly through the barriers that today’s armed citizen might encounter in a defensive scenario. Additionally, the rounds are loaded with a specially developed propellant that is designed to provide consistent, reliable performance through a range of barrel lengths. Each cartridge is also loaded with a high-grade primer that’s sealed into the case to protect against moisture and other elements.

Federal Premium’s Hydra-Shok .380 ACP load sells in 20-count boxes at a suggested retail price of $25.99. In addition, the company now offers a Hydra-Shok load in .38 Spl. +P loaded with a 130-gr. bullet. These rounds also come loaded in 20-count boxes and retail for $31.99. For more information, visit federalpremium.com.

Latest

smith & wesson performance center model 19 carry comp moss
smith & wesson performance center model 19 carry comp moss

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Army Announces Type Classification Of New Infantry Rifle, Machine Gun

In May 2025, the U.S. Army’s Soldier Lethality Project at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey announced the official type classification of SIG Sauer’s M7 rifle and M250 automatic rifle, previously known as the XM7 and the XM250, respectively.

RXR22: Savage Arms Redefines The Budget Rimfire Rifle

Savage Arms has a long history of producing affordable and accurate rimfire rifles, but with its RXR22, the company is bringing a new level of affordability and modularity to rimfire rifle fans.

SARCO: A Lifetime Covered Up With Surplus Firearm Parts

When it comes to selling gun parts and gun-related military surplus, Charles “Cholly” Steen has been at it for longer than almost anyone. It all started when, as a 5-year-old, he began stashing odds and ends in the drawers of his clothes dresser.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.