The Hydra-Shok is the heavy bullet of this set: 65 grains, a jacketed hollow point with a center post in the cavity, loaded to 925 fps and 123 ft-lbs. Every other load here is 60 grains, and all of them leave the muzzle faster, from 45 fps for Silvertip 60 to 225 fps for Buffalo Bore's +P Barnes TAC-XP. From a 25-yard zero the Federal is 2.2 inches low at 50 yards and 15.6 inches low at 100; it is a close-range pistol load, as every .32 ACP is. Recoil energy in the same pistol is about 2 percent more than the two Hornady 60-grain loads.

At the muzzle the Hydra-Shok gives up 75 fps and 10 ft-lbs to Hornady Critical Defense 60 and Hornady Custom 60 XTP, and 55 fps and 5 ft-lbs to PMC Bronze 60-grain JHP. The extra bullet weight shows up in recoil rather than energy: the Hydra-Shok produces slightly more recoil energy than any of the standard-pressure 60-grain loads in the same pistol, though the margins are small. Buffalo Bore's +P TAC-XP is 1,150 fps and 176 ft-lbs at the muzzle, 53 ft-lbs ahead. It is loaded above standard pressure, so check that your pistol is rated for +P before you use it.

Pick the Hydra-Shok if you prefer a heavier bullet to muzzle velocity in a standard-pressure hollow point. If you want the fastest standard-pressure option, Hornady Custom 60 XTP leaves 75 fps faster for about 2 percent less recoil. For practice, PMC Bronze 71-grain FMJ at 900 fps is the closest match in the set to this load's speed, 25 fps slower, with about 13 percent more recoil energy in the same pistol.