Speer Gold Dots - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**XDONBOARD** · 12-22-2007, 03:30 PM

So Im finally able to touch my 45c on Christmas and want to have my defense ammo here when it gets here. It will be primarily a nightstand gun. Sometimes CCW. Ill use WWB for range shooting. So, Im buying Speer but am not sure to go with:
Speer Gold Dot Ammunition 45 ACP 185 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point
or
Speer Gold Dot Ammunition 45 ACP +P 200 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point
or
Speer Gold Dot Ammunition 45 ACP 230 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point

Whats the difference? Im an ammo newb and need help, is it a personal preference thing!
Thanks!

Chuckster · 12-22-2007, 04:41 PM

There is a lot of good ammo out there. Speer is one of the bests

This is what I currently use for home defense.

http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/am_mle_hpjbond.htm

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM528-41542-207.html

Krackels · 12-22-2007, 04:43 PM

If you're going to use Speer Gold Dot, then stick with the 230 JHP.

Try this place for a better deal. $27.95 for 50rd box.
http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/i...a&filter_id=24

Quote:

The following loads all demonstrate outstanding terminal performance and can be considered acceptable for duty/self-defense use:

.45 ACP:
Barnes XPB 185 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal HST 230 gr +P JHP (P45HST1)
Federal Tactical 230 gr JHP (LE45T1)
Speer Gold Dot 230 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr JHP (RA45T)
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr +P JHP (RA45TP)

Some of it's personal preference, some of it is availability (I carry Federal Hi-shocks because they are cheap and I could get them locally), but there's also a lot of variation in the recoil; accuracy; and terminal performance of the three types listed.

The Speer 230gr JHP was recommended as a duty/self-defense load because it shows good penetration and reliable expansion.

spamlovr · 12-22-2007, 04:54 PM

Here is some info on defensive ammo testing:
http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=237

The speer gold dots are mentioned. The Barnes copper bullet is shown also. I use the GDHP in .45ACP, behind 5 grains of Bullseye. If I can do my part, I trust they will do theirs. I'm gonna try Hornady XTP next.

pghjim · 12-22-2007, 05:59 PM

I normally use Remington 185gr +p Golder Sabres in my all steel 1911's, but I found the recoil too much for my XD Compact. I carry Speer Gold Dot 230 gr. The Speer 230 gr. opens at relatively low velocity and I do not know how much I lose with the 4" gun.

The 200 gr +P is a good bullet, but I have seen some tests where it does not always expand well.

This is a question where everyone will have a different opinion, and I do not think you can go wrong with name brand hollow points, although the Hornady 230 gr did not perform well in the FBI protocol test.

Vandal · 12-22-2007, 10:42 PM

I carry the 230 grain Gold Dot and have no trouble shooting it or trusting my life to it.

primeduck · 12-23-2007, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandal

I carry the 230 grain Gold Dot and have no trouble shooting it or trusting my life to it.

+1

JJ.45 · 12-23-2007, 07:42 AM

If you are using wwb 230g at the range, use the 230g gold dots for hd, sd.

Pete V · 12-23-2007, 08:22 PM

The instructor at my Utah class said he uses Federal Expanding Full Metal Jacket. They are not a hollow point so the HP opening can"t hang up on the feed ramp.

Is he right? I have not tried them.

thanks for the forum

Pete V

spyderman2k4 · 12-23-2007, 10:25 PM

I think you have to elaborate on "Is he right?" If you are asking "Can hollow points hang up on the feed ramp?" the answer is "maybe." Every gun is different, some guns are picky about what JHPs go through them... that's why it's important to test what you're going to be carrying to make sure it feeds properly (a lot of people say to shoot about 100 rounds of what you'll be carrying... I've got about 75 and there has been no problems).

I guess using expanding full metal jackets will reduce the risk, but I think it's just as safe (reliability-wise) to pick a round, test it, and use it if it passes the test. I haven't seen any testing on the rounds he uses (as far as expansion), but I'd be surprised if it could really compete with the big name hollow points out there.

12-22-2007, 03:30 PM	#1
XDONBOARD XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Valley of the Cards Posts: 3,749	Speer Gold Dots So Im finally able to touch my 45c on Christmas and want to have my defense ammo here when it gets here. It will be primarily a nightstand gun. Sometimes CCW. Ill use WWB for range shooting. So, Im buying Speer but am not sure to go with: Speer Gold Dot Ammunition 45 ACP 185 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point or Speer Gold Dot Ammunition 45 ACP +P 200 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point or Speer Gold Dot Ammunition 45 ACP 230 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Whats the difference? Im an ammo newb and need help, is it a personal preference thing! Thanks! __________________ Michael XD-45 compact XD-40 sub-compact XD-9 sub-compact I'd rather have my XD and not need it, then need it and not have it.... I hereby certify that the person described hereon has been granted the privilege of carrying a concealed weapon in compliance with Arizona revised statute 13-3112.

12-22-2007, 04:54 PM	#4
spamlovr XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Washougal, WA كافر Posts: 505	Here is some info on defensive ammo testing: http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=237 The speer gold dots are mentioned. The Barnes copper bullet is shown also. I use the GDHP in .45ACP, behind 5 grains of Bullseye. If I can do my part, I trust they will do theirs. I'm gonna try Hornady XTP next. __________________ Memento Mori (Remember, you are mortal) When seconds count, the police are only minutes away! People who are pissed at the government have generally underestimated their neighbors. Ziltoid The Omniscient for Supreme World Ruler 2008: "I am so omniscient, if there were 2 omniscient beings in the omniverse, I would be both of them! Bring me your planet's finest cup of coffee!"

12-22-2007, 10:42 PM	#6
Vandal XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 348	I carry the 230 grain Gold Dot and have no trouble shooting it or trusting my life to it. __________________ Well believe me, I calculated the odds of this succeeding versus the odds I was doing something incredibly stupid...and I went ahead anyway. Springfield xD 4" .45 Remington 870 Tactical 12 Ga. Tippmann/ Special Ops A-5A2 Paintball Gun Tactical Rubberband for those bad SHTF situations requiring unconventional combatives, like the college classroom.

12-23-2007, 08:22 PM	#9
Pete V XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 370	Speer Gold Dots The instructor at my Utah class said he uses Federal Expanding Full Metal Jacket. They are not a hollow point so the HP opening can"t hang up on the feed ramp. Is he right? I have not tried them. thanks for the forum Pete V

12-23-2007, 10:25 PM	#10
spyderman2k4 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,087	I think you have to elaborate on "Is he right?" If you are asking "Can hollow points hang up on the feed ramp?" the answer is "maybe." Every gun is different, some guns are picky about what JHPs go through them... that's why it's important to test what you're going to be carrying to make sure it feeds properly (a lot of people say to shoot about 100 rounds of what you'll be carrying... I've got about 75 and there has been no problems). I guess using expanding full metal jackets will reduce the risk, but I think it's just as safe (reliability-wise) to pick a round, test it, and use it if it passes the test. I haven't seen any testing on the rounds he uses (as far as expansion), but I'd be surprised if it could really compete with the big name hollow points out there. __________________ Mossberg 835 Remington 700 30-06 Springfield XD45 Service Winchester 1300 Practical Defender M44 Mosin-Nagant Saiga in 7.62x39 Next up: AR-15: Inspired by Obama XD9 Sub-Compact (on hold)

12-22-2007, 04:41 PM	#2
Chuckster XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 59	There is a lot of good ammo out there. Speer is one of the bests This is what I currently use for home defense. http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/am_mle_hpjbond.htm http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM528-41542-207.html

12-22-2007, 05:59 PM	#5
pghjim XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southwestern, PA Posts: 120	I normally use Remington 185gr +p Golder Sabres in my all steel 1911's, but I found the recoil too much for my XD Compact. I carry Speer Gold Dot 230 gr. The Speer 230 gr. opens at relatively low velocity and I do not know how much I lose with the 4" gun. The 200 gr +P is a good bullet, but I have seen some tests where it does not always expand well. This is a question where everyone will have a different opinion, and I do not think you can go wrong with name brand hollow points, although the Hornady 230 gr did not perform well in the FBI protocol test.

12-23-2007, 07:42 AM	#8
JJ.45 XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 68	If you are using wwb 230g at the range, use the 230g gold dots for hd, sd.

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