Differences Between Gold Dot 9mm 124 gr +P and God Dot 9m 124 gr +P Short Barrel

[Lester Polfus]

I'm confused.

Wouldn't over-expansion cause LESS penetration?

[JonInWA]

I'm confused.

Wouldn't over-expansion cause LESS penetration?

Beats me-I agree, that would make sense, but I'm just repeating what the Speer rep emailed to me. Verbally, I'd heard the same over-penetration issue with the Short Barrel stuff in my Beretta 92 4.9" barrel when I spoke with one of their reps on the phone earlier.

Best, Jon

[Velo Dog]

If this recently uploaded video is any indication of current Gold Dot performance, a little extra velocity may not be a bad thing

[JonInWA]

That test seems very reasonably approached. While the number of rounds fired to come to their conclusions would probably come under scrutiny, I think from a common-sense standpoint they're likely correct.

I wonder if the Speer rep that responded by email to me accidentally used "over-expanded" when he meant "under-expanded," which instinctively, as Lester pointed out, makes more sense.

Best, Jon

[Lester Polfus]

That test seems very reasonably approached. While the number of rounds fired to come to their conclusions would probably come under scrutiny, I think from a common-sense standpoint they're likely correct.

I wonder if the Speer rep that responded by email to me accidentally used "over-expanded" when he meant "under-expanded," which instinctively, as Lester pointed out, makes more sense.

Best, Jon

Well, if it over expanded to the point the petals sheared off, that would also make it over penetrate too...

Dunno.

Weird.

[JonInWA]

I've re-queried Speer on this seeming contradiction specifically, and will report their response. I'm a bit puzzled too (but I won't be using the Short Box fodder in my Beretta 92 for anything but practice...).

Best, Jon

[Sensei]

I'm confused.

Wouldn't over-expansion cause LESS penetration?

Well, if it over expanded to the point the petals sheared off, that would also make it over penetrate too...

Dunno.

Weird.

I've re-queried Speer on this seeming contradiction specifically, and will report their response. I'm a bit puzzled too (but I won't be using the Short Box fodder in my Beretta 92 for anything but practice...).

Best, Jon

When driven faster than designed, Gold Dots are well known for "over-expanding" to the point that the petals fold back against the bullets base to the point that it actually reduces the mean frontal diameter. This results in the bullet overpenetrating.

A prime example is when the .40 caliber Gold Dots are used in full power 10mm loads. You often get rapid shallow expansion with the petals folded against the base resulting in a .40-.50 caliber projectile that penetrates well past 20 inches. Ironically, the same bullet pushed at more moderate 40SW velocities results in ideal, controlled expansion over the first 10" of tissue / get out to a mean diameter of .60+ caliber, and ideal penetration between 12-20". Not to mention there is significantly less recoil, flash, and wear on the gun...

[Lester Polfus]

When driven faster than designed, Gold Dots are well known for "over-expanding" to the point that the petals fold back against the bullets base to the point that it actually reduces the mean frontal diameter. This results in the bullet overpenetrating.

A prime example is when the .40 caliber Gold Dots are used in full power 10mm loads. You often get rapid shallow expansion with the petals folded against the base resulting in a .40-.50 caliber projectile that penetrates well past 20 inches. Ironically, the same bullet pushed at more moderate 40SW velocities results in ideal, controlled expansion over the first 10" of tissue / get out to a mean diameter of .60+ caliber, and ideal penetration between 12-20". Not to mention there is significantly less recoil, flash, and wear on the gun...

That all makes sense. I always thought the nuclear 10mm Gold Dot loads were dumb. I'd be happy if Speer came out with a 10mm Gold Dot load that was in the 40ish power range. Then I could carry that back and forth from the back country, and put the rhino roller hard casts in at the trail head.

Thanks.

[Sensei]

That all makes sense. I always thought the nuclear 10mm Gold Dot loads were dumb. I'd be happy if Speer came out with a 10mm Gold Dot load that was in the 40ish power range. Then I could carry that back and forth from the back country, and put the rhino roller hard casts in at the trail head.

Thanks.

Your welcome.

I'd be interested in a 200 grain 10mm Gold Dot load that could be pushed at 1000-1100 fps to expand to .55-.60 cal and penetrate the deep side of 16-22" after common intermediate barriers. That would be a 10mm round worth the extra size over 9mm/40SW for an outdoorsman who ventures beyond the lower 48; a B+ round for 2 and 4-legged beasts while not having quite the recoil of a full-powered Norma load.

For backpacking in Alaska I'd prefer deeper penetration than the typical 14" that you get out of a 180 grain GDHP going 950 fps.

[Chuck Whitlock]

That all makes sense. I always thought the nuclear 10mm Gold Dot loads were dumb. I'd be happy if Speer came out with a 10mm Gold Dot load that was in the 40ish power range. Then I could carry that back and forth from the back country, and put the rhino roller hard casts in at the trail head.

Thanks.

Hornady's 10mm Critical Duty may be of interest to you:

http://www.hornadyle.com/products/ha...75-gr-flexlock