Are you sure you are looking at
.45 ACP WWB JHP?
So, you are discounting self defense rounds that the majority of law enforcement carries in this country, because the ballistic test protocol is used by the FBI? This makes zero sense.
Why do you think that the FBI/IWBA standard for penetration is excessive? Ballistic gelatin is an analog (in terms of density) to human soft tissue, but not of a human body that has skin and bones. A bullet that penetrates 12 inches in ballistic gelatin will NOT penetrate 12 inches in a human body. Also, when a bullet over-penetrates, the amount of energy it has is very low. Under-penetration, however, may simply not stop the threat as quickly or not at all. You are putting yourself in danger and have to shoot more rounds.
In any case, the highest danger comes from misses and not from over-penetration.
Federal's Guard Dog EFMJ is NOT a service round. Federal HST is. If you see inconsistency with Federal Guard Dog EFMJ, which is an entirely different design, than this is not indicative of inconsistency with Federal HST. I rather stick with proven service rounds than experiment with exotic ammunition.
Premium ammunition and less expensive ammunition are not exclusive, which was my original point. If you go to
www.sgammo.com and select your caliber of choice, you will find premium ammunition that is also less expensive ammunition. There are also other sources that sell law enforcement ammunition at low prices.
I leave you with this - Self Defense & The Over Penetration Myth | TheYankeeMarshal: