Federal E(expanding)FMJ?

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kcofohio

kcofohio

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I stop in my local Fin-Feather-Fur outlet for some bullets and primers. They have an endcap on one aisle that has assorted Federal Seconds marked down. I noticed a label, Federal Ammunition Expanding FMJ.

I take it these were only produced for a few years. They are the 40 S&W 165 gr. which I gather were more for LE. IIRC, 135 gr. ones were for the civilian population. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of info out there on these. Has anybody here had experience with them? Were they a total flop? From what I read, they were marketed for places and agencies that were not allowed JHPs.

I bought a box, as they were mark at $13.99. Thinking about going back for a few more after work.

20190131_232718.jpg 20190131_232630.jpg
 
It sounds like Guard Dog slug with copper wash instead of nickel. If so those are quality premium expanding bullets.
 
They work fine.

Their claim to fame is they always expand. Can't get clogged by denim during tests. HST just overshadowed them in ever other category, so they lack the fanfare.
 
paulsj said:
It sounds like Guard Dog slug with copper wash instead of nickel. If so those are quality premium expanding bullets.
Click to expand...
Okay, that makes sense. I've seen the Guard Dog line before. Just never paid attention to the bullet make up.
 
Zerodefect said:
They work fine.

Their claim to fame is they always expand. Can't get clogged by denim during tests. HST just overshadowed them in ever other category, so they lack the fanfare.
Click to expand...
I kind of wondered if something had surpassed them technically or commercially wise.

I haven't carried a 40 or had one loaded up for HD. But that could always change. Might as well get some extras to test out for my guns. :)

Thanks for the replies!
 
Here's what they look like when X-rayed (unfired is on the left, right hand one was fired into ballistic gel):

upload_2019-2-1_13-38-3.png

The lead core moves towards the front of the projectile, hence the large recess formed by the jacket at the back of the fired EFMJ.
 
Bought a quantity of pulled 40 165 FMJ-Expanding bullets to try reloading. They are longer than other 165 gr. bullets and take up more case volume. Powder charges have to be reduced from regular fmj's. When working up loads for them high pressure signs happen all at once at a certain level. My loads with Unique, WSF and AA#5 pressure all showed up at about 975-1000 fps. Couldn't go any higher charges. I think they were a flop and wouldn't recommend them from my experience trying to load them.
 
With the New Jersey state ban on HP handgun bullets, the Guard Dogs would be legal there, correct? They look like they would work pretty well for self defense in a wide variety of guns (even ones balky with anything other than fmj)

Stay safe!
 
Riomouse911 said:
With the New Jersey state ban on HP handgun bullets, the Guard Dogs would be legal there, correct? They look like they would work pretty well for self defense in a wide variety of guns (even ones balky with anything other than fmj)

Stay safe!
Click to expand...

I would think they are. Federal presented them for such laws.

It would be interesting to see a comparison test between the EFMJ and the Interceptor bullets.
 
kcofohio said:
I would think they are. Federal presented them for such laws.

It would be interesting to see a comparison test between the EFMJ and the Interceptor bullets.
Click to expand...

They seem to get good press, I guess at some point some real world applications on crooks will tell whether the idea behind the “screwdriver bullets” as I call them works or not.

Stay safe!
 
Riomouse911 said:
With the New Jersey state ban on HP handgun bullets, the Guard Dogs would be legal there, correct? They look like they would work pretty well for self defense in a wide variety of guns (even ones balky with anything other than fmj)

Stay safe!
Click to expand...

I believe it depends on how the law is written. I think some areas state any expanding bullets are prohibited.
 
I liked the idea of these bullets but I've seen reviews of the Guard Dog branded ones where they under penetrate.

I currently carry the 9mm 124 gr +p efmj in my EDC. I only have a few left so when I cycle out.my carry ammo I might only have enough for one 7 or 8 round mag. It has been reliable and accurate ammo.

The ammo is getting old (most of my ammo is getting old now) so its needs to be used. I read somewhere that the polymer in the nose of the bullet may dry out after 17? Or so years. Mine and some 45 efmj are getting close to that age
 
If the polymer holds out it would be great ammo to keep around for future use. It doesn't seem to cotain lead great if politicians try to take that metal out of ammo. Wish there was some loaded into .38 Spl cases I would buy some.
 
If you are referring to the EFMJ, it does indeed contain lead. See the radiograph: the bright white portion is lead.
 
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