water is hard to test with. especially in plastic. it has to penitrate the clothing, then plastic. then impacts water which scientifically speaking is denser than we are. probably why your Federals came apart.
personally i only shoot 2 brands.
Federal Hydra-shock 180g
and Speer gold dot 180g.
that is in .40 cal
if your a horniday fan and want more for your money check out Fiocchhi . its itallian, well made, stainless case with horniday XTP rounds loaded into it.
stay away from anything remington green box.
winchester bonded is junk as well.
winchester silver tip works great but at $50 a box....your choice.
magtech is too hollow, *if you've ever seen one you know what i mean* there is a great mushroom effect but it is a false effect because the mushroomed part is very thin, so the round doesnt actually "expand" more of just flatten out the tiny sheet metal like hollow point.
cor bon.....works well on paper. but has the same effect as magtech. looks like good expansion but if you slice off the expanded part and weigh it vs a normal hollow points lead expansion. you will be surprised.
Winchester Ranger is great stuff , cheap too.
horinday critical defense.......i would say 50/50 on reliable expansion. they make great rounds but in balistics gel testing i havnt seen much from that line.
hope this helps