Hi guys,

I just picked ip a box this federal HST 180 gr 40S&W. I was a little curious about whats its deal was because it is in a plain jane white box with no LE/Tactical markeings at all.

Also, it has brass casing instead of the HST's standard nickle casing.

I did some investigation on the itnernet, and this defensive carry forum thread covers the topic in most detail I could find.

http://www.defensivecarry.com/...l-hst-white-box.html

If you get to the end, it seems to indicate this is top of line stuff which was an overrun from a custom order, and NOT ammo which was rejected and thus inferior.

Wanted to see what the good ol sig forum thought of it and i guess the question is would you feel comfortable using this as a primary defensive round for carry or in you HD gun?

Any concerns of the use of brass instead of nickle?

Thanks,
Alex

Overrun on police contract ammo. Don't need a fancy box to sell ammo to the PD. There's usually some of this ammo that winds up on the general market. Ammunition loaded for duty carry by the police is some of the best and most reliable ammo you can get.

But why brass case and not nickle plated? More than anybody else, LE ammo is exposed to environment more isn't it?

brass cases, nickle cases...
I mean really who cares ?

supposedly there are reasons:
1. nickle plating helps feeding.
2. not subject to verdigris ( tarnish ) over time.
3. easier to see at night with a press check.
( that's my favorite )

I would suspect that nickle might be better, but I would be concerned only that the rounds are sealed at the primer and case mouth.

brass cases may be a cost cutting measure to win a contract.

as long as the shit goes bang...
you should be regularly inspecting your carry ammo anyway, and shooting it frequently enough to not worry about it.

I bought 6 thousand round cases of Federal HST 155 gr from ammoman back in 2007. All were in "colorful" boxes, but some cases had brass brass and other cases had nickel brass.

The outside cartons holding the 20 boxes had for LEO only on those containing nickel cases, but not on those containing brass brass.

Individual 50 round boxes were all the same "colorful" boxes.

Back in 2007 they cost $299 a thousand round case postage included. Those were the days.

So would you guys rather use this brass cased HST, or some basic Golden Sabers, or Gold dots.

DOnt care, woudl use any yes....but your preferance is...

Depends upon how much the HSTs cost ya.

Excluding price, my preference is:

Gold Dot, HST, Ranger T (brass cases is not a deal beaker for me)

Factor in availability and/or cost, and I'd be happy with any one of these 3 in all calibers . . .

FYI....I wrote federal and jsut got back this reply. Seems like this stuff is good to go!!

Greetings,

The XM40HC is the same loading as the HST but with a brass case. The
XM40HC was a product overrun which we made for a government agency.

Thank you

-----Original Message-----
From: alexander.w.murray@gmail.com [mailto:alexander.w.murray@gmail.com]

Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 4:59 PM
To: Prodserv
Subject: Federal Premium - Ask the Expert Form

Hi,

I recently purchased a few box's of 40S&W 180gr HST bullets in an all
white plain jane case with item identifier:
xm40hc.

It comes in a brass case which differs from the nickel case i recieved
in my standard LE tactical HST.

Can you please tell me what the orgin of this ammo is and how it differs
from the standard nickel cased LE tactical ammo?

Thanks you very much,
Alex Murray

if its a smoking deal I would have no issue carrying or using it at all but if close in price I would go with the other nickle type

As long as you don't pour ammonia over the brass cases it will be fine.

So if you are planning a trip with them to the North Pole, remember not to piss on the pistol to unfreeze it. But if you do, fire or replace the ammo as soon as possible.