HST or ranger-t ?

nickod · 05-12-2011, 22:56

what do you use and why?

beancounter81 · 05-13-2011, 03:26

Frankly, I use both depending on what I can find. Both are excellent rounds and I don't feel undergunned with either. I think HST's are a little harder to find right now.

ETA - I wouldn't be insulted by Gold Dot either.

legion3 · 05-13-2011, 04:26

^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^

Both or either (GD's OK too)

HST can be harder to find, I have heard Federal cracks down on non-LEO sales more than Winchester, which nominally does if complaints reach their ears.

I have also seen price gougers mark up HST a lot. $55 - $65 - $75 a box at local gun shows.

Seems to me that HST comes in batches whereas Ranger I can always seem to find.

but as far as for SD purpose, I would use either. In fact my front and back door guns are Glock 19's with HST 147 becasue my wife like that round.

My other nightstand gun has 127 +P+ Ranger's as that is my favorite.

Hokiegrass · 05-13-2011, 08:01

I use both as well. I like the HST 147gr +p for my 9mm's and I really like 230 gr +p ranger-t for .45. I have had a little harder time finding the HST's lately.

vafish · 05-13-2011, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by beancounter81

Frankly, I use both depending on what I can find. Both are excellent rounds and I don't feel undergunned with either. I think HST's are a little harder to find right now.

ETA - I wouldn't be insulted by Gold Dot either.

+3

Currently carrying ranger t but that is because local shop had it and not gold dot.

triggerjerk · 05-13-2011, 08:57

I think some HST performs a little better in some jello tests but those Ranger T petals are just wicked.

I buy what I can find without paying too much. Generally I have no problem getting HST in 9mm or .40 locally. In .45 I'll go either HST or Ranger T. Preferably standard pressure.

JBP55 · 05-13-2011, 08:57

I use HST, Gold Dot, Ranger T.
All have great results in the real world.

GunFighter45ACP · 05-13-2011, 09:46

I use Ranger T +P+ in 9mm. Try as I do, I can never find HST. I'm not too bummed out by this though, as the Ranger T is pretty accurate in my 9mms.

locosteelersfan · 05-13-2011, 19:51

My 2 top choices, I prefer slightly HST, but I won't overpay for it. Example when I bought 2 new 45s, 230gr HST was hard to find and those that had it wanted close to 50 per 50 when 230gr Ranger was 25. If the HST was lights out better I'd pay it, but I'm comfortable with either.

FatBoy · 05-13-2011, 22:46

I use both, plus Gold Dots. I buy what ever I can find in case lots for the best price. IMHO, shot placement is more important than the difference between the premium ammo choices.

FB

PghJim · 05-13-2011, 23:16

I use HST because they always expand. I have found that the 165gr 40 Ranger T expands all of the time through 4 layers of denim, but I have had expansion issues with T-series in 45acp 230gr +p; 9mm 127gr +p+ and 357sig 125gr.

DRT · 05-14-2011, 06:29

Both are top notch and provide superior terminal performance. These latest non-bonded rounds also seem to hold together well through various barriers, particularly with heavy-for-the caliber versions.

I have inventories of .40 180gr HST and .40 165gr Ranger Tseries which are my particular favorites. XM40HC .40 180gr HST whitebox (I've purchased them recently at $19/box of 50)is probably the best deal in defensive ammo on the market today.

nickod · 05-15-2011, 15:36

will some one tell me about this expantion problem with ranger-t .45 +p ?

PghJim · 05-15-2011, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickod

will some one tell me about this expantion problem with ranger-t .45 +p ?

In my limited testing the bullet clogs with cloth when shot through 4 layers of denim and does not always expand, or fully expand. It is not all that bad, but I have yet to see an HST that did not expand.

cowboy1964 · 05-15-2011, 17:00

I'm a little leery of Ranger-Ts in 45. They do seem to be hit or miss (no pun intended) on expansion with lower velocities. I'm shooting off the one box I had and won't be getting any more. I would stick with Gold Dots or HSTs for 45 but like all three in other calibers (though in .357 Sig Gold Dots seem to be far and away the most widely used, at least in LE circles).

Kalmah · 05-15-2011, 18:44

I carry HST's, but have a very limited supply left. They were hard to find for a while, don't know if they still are. I found a good deal on Ranger T's a while back and I stocked up on those. When I run out of HST's, I think I have enough Rangers to last me the next couple decades.

fastbolt · 05-15-2011, 19:25

Ranger T-Series.

The gel tests I've witnessed, and others I have received reports about from folks I know, have all shown the .45 T-Series to perform as designed. Both the standard pressure & +P .45 loads, pulled randomly from boxes, exhibited excellent expansion in some 4 layer denim shots when fired out of my 3.25" barreled CS45.

I don't do any of my own informal testing using less controlled conditions and non-standardized mediums.

The last time I recall .45 & .40 T-Series being used in a shooting, I learned the bullets recovered performed exactly as shown in factory testing.

I tend to like the QC shown in the T-Series line of Winchester's ammunition (and wish the rest of their lines exhibited the same QC

).

***JimBianchi*** · 05-15-2011, 20:11

I've used both but my brand new K9 has the rare FTFeed with the Ranger 127+p+.

HST 147 works well in all my carry guns flawlessly, so that is what I am sticking with.

PghJim · 05-15-2011, 20:37

Mine are informal tests through 4 layers of denim into gallon jugs of water. However, I have found that if does not expand in water, it probably will not expand. These are all 9mm 127 +p+ Rangers. The one on the far left is the SXT version, and they always seem to expand. The next one is a fully expanded T-Series. You will notice that basically only the jacket expands. I not saying if that is good or bad. The next T-series partially expanded. The next one barely expanded and hit the brick wall after 4 jugs and a rolled up pair of jeans. The last one could simply be reloaded again. I could show the same thing with 45ACP. However, the 40S&W 165gr seems to always expand.

nickod · 05-15-2011, 21:27

so, ranger-t .45 has expantion issues? Well that's bad news for me wioth all the money I poured into function testing and ammo stock with ranger-t .45 +p.

fastbolt · 05-15-2011, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by PghJim

Mine are informal tests through 4 layers of denim into gallon jugs of water.

You might consider using the water box type of testing if you're interested in doing informal stuff, and using plastic bags to hold the water. At least you'll remove the hard plastic material of the jugs as an intermediate barrier (which could interfere with the hydraulic forces which act upon the bullet nose cavities).

If you don't mind me asking, what weight denim are you using?

PghJim · 05-15-2011, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickod

so, ranger-t .45 has expantion issues? Well that's bad news for me wioth all the money I poured into function testing and ammo stock with ranger-t .45 +p.

4-layers of heavy denim is a hard test for hollow points. 95% of the time I would think you would not have to worry about it. If I were in your position, I would still carry the round with confidence. Worst case it is still a 0.451" hole.

PghJim · 05-15-2011, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastbolt

You might consider using the water box type of testing if you're interested in doing informal stuff, and using plastic bags to hold the water. At least you'll remove the hard plastic material of the jugs as an intermediate barrier (which could interfere with the hydraulic forces which act upon the bullet nose cavities).

If you don't mind me asking, what weight denim are you using?

I am looking into a water box. It is not a perfect test, but all rounds tested go through the same protocol and the jugs are pretty soft plastic. I am using 15oz. denim.

cole · 05-16-2011, 01:26

The one that's bonded and works in my gun.

But, I use Gold Dots actually.

cadillacguns · 05-17-2011, 03:44

I have seen so many, and have done my own backyard testing of various types of ammo too. What I would like to see is actual autopsy recovery rounds or feral hog dispatch recovered rounds................wishful thinking as that will never happen in our politicaly correct world, the autopsy recoveries I mean.

I have seen some rounds open and expand as advertised, and some not.

I have been shot with a 9mm went clean through me and only deformed slightly after passing through a clothes closet and hitting sheetrock.

I shot an Iraqi NCO square on in the chest with a 5.56 193 ball round that blew a fist sized hole in his back. So carry what you think is best, never totaly trust all you hear, and hope to God you never get shot or have to shoot anybody.