200 grain Gold Dot recipe

[Jcobb]

Ok gentlemen...the chronograph is in and ive read the directions. Couple of questions....

The range I frequent has a covered bench area. Is it ok to set the chronograph on the table for use, or does it need to be out from under the tin overhang in the sunshine?

For 200 grain gold dots, what velocity is needed for proper expansion?

Any other tips to using the chrono? I hope to get to the range in the next couple of days.

Thanks

[Bidah]

Why don't you find a commercial load, using GD if you can find them. Chrono those loads, and then work to reproduce them?

That is basically what I did, only I was using the 230gr bullets. I have used Bullseye, Zip, and AA#5. Experiment. That is what makes reloading fun.

[scalce]

Originally Posted by Jcobb

Is it ok to set the chronograph on the table for use, or does it need to be out from under the tin overhang in the sunshine?

No, it should be at least 10-15 feet away so muzzle blast does not affect the readings.

Yes, it is best to have the sensors out in the open. You don't always need direct sunlight though.

Originally Posted by Jcobb

Any other tips to using the chrono? I hope to get to the range in the next couple of days.

Shoot a few factory loads and keep track of their velocity to be used as a relative guideline. If they are SD ammo only shoot a few as they are $$$.

You get the best average readings from a minimum of 10 round strings.

I put reloads in a baggy with a sticky note of the bullet specs, powder, and charge.

Once you load a few times to get the velcity you want, start testing accuracy by benching is possible.

Then change variables until you go nuts.

The single most important thing I have when using a chrono is a small notebook and a pen. I track the string #, bullet specs, powder, and charge so when I go home I know how to correlate the readings.. Hopefully your Chrono allows you to store multiple strings preferable with a wired remote so you don't have to wait for the range to go cold. Keep track of everything and put it in a spreadsheet if possible.

Then come back and post your results.

Good luck

[Jcobb]

So I emailed Speer and ask what minimal velocity to hit to ensure expansion in a 200 gr 45 acp Gold Dot and get this reply:


James: about all you can get from a non-+P load is about 1010 fps,
anything above about 900 at the muzzle will work fine, out to reasonable
ranges.
Shoot Straight!
Coy Getman
2299 Snake River Ave.
Lewiston, ID 83501
(800) 627-3640
CCI/Speer Technical Coordinator



So, I grab my scale and start developing loads to run through the chronograph. All loads were developed using 200 gr Gold Dots, a digital scale, verifying weight twice at different times, COL between 1.208-1.212, fired in ten shot strings through my XD 45 Tac.

5.8 grains Bullseye avg 940 FPS

5.7 grains Bullseye avg. 928 FPS

5.7 grains Bullseye that were tumbled in Walnut media for 10 minutes after loading avg. 925 FPS

5.6 graims bullseye avg. 914 FPS

5.8 grains Bullseye under the 200 gr GD is stout, but manageable...5.6 grains is quite pleasureable to shoot. In fact, I have a target from 7 yards (Me standing, modified weaver stance) with a 10 round group that comes in under 1.50 inches. 5 of those shots can be covered with a dime. I know 7 yards is childs play, BUT remember, Im just developing a load and I figured if it wasnt any good at 7 yards it wouldnt be any good at 25 yards.


For reference, the red circle is 1 inch, each heavy black line is 1 " and each lighter black line is 1/4 inch.

Now that Ive settled on 5.6 gr Bullseye for the 200 gr Gold Dot, I want to play with COL and see if the velocity avgs. change much. I also want to see how these compare with factory Gold Dots and if this is a viable option for SD practice rounds.

Some other interesting (to me) numbers from the XD 45 Tac

200 gr XTreme Copper Plated RN over 5.5 gr Bullseye avg. 897

200 gr Xtreme Copper Plated RN over 5.2 gr Bullseye avg 848 FPS

Independence Factory Loaded 230 grain RN FMJ avg. 828 FPS

230 gr. FMJ over 5.2 gr Bullseye avg. 849 FPS (a little bit of powder blowback from this load)

200 gr. Precision Moly RN over 5.6 gr Bullseye avg. 931 FPS

200 gr Precision Moly RN over 5.7 gr Bullseye avg 947 FPS

.40 cal Winchester Ranger SXT 185 gr through a Glock G27 avg. 907 FPS

.40 cal Winchester White Box 185 gr through a Glock G27 avg 908 FPS