Speer Gold Dot 230-grain .45 ACP Tests

[wyntrout]

I went to the range last week and haven't been able to organize a post on the results, yet. I wanted to test the CCI/Speer Gold Dots, 230-grain, for use in my .45's. I've been using the Bonded version of Remington's 230-gr Golden Saber Brass-JHP in all of my .45's.

I plan on using the regular Gold Dots in my 5" S&W 645 and maybe the 4" SA Champion 1911. The Short Barreled version should be better in my 3" PM45. I wasn't thinking about the 5", so forgot about testing it this time.

Anyhow, I fired the Bonded Golden Sabers, Gold Dots, Gold Dot Short Barrel, and some WWB100's... all 230-grain, standard velocity. I used my camera to take video and then pulled stills to see and compare the blasts and recoil. I don't use a "death grip", so there is more recoil and muzzle rise than you might experience.

While there is generally less flash, I see a lot of bits of burning powder that you probably wouldn't notice without the freeze-frames. Most of those emit from the barrel, but some seem to fly from, surprisingly, other areas of the pistols:eek:... reinforcing the need for eye-protection.

I'll post this "pre-ramble" before I do something and lose it. It will take a bit of time to arrange and post the pictures. I'm trying to use Flickr and still new at that. Since we had a site software update or I exceeded some posting limit on uploads here, I've been unable to get more than about 10 to 20 % of the supposed 97.7K or so allowed for Jpeg photos. This doesn't allow much detail or legible text, so I'm trying to use Flickr and the 640x480 still images from my video.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34182547@N04/5787491112/in/photostream
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/5787491112_bc602dbc04_z.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34182547@N04/5787491112/in/photostreamhttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/5786935261_4eb3aa89a3_z.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5787490880_2d529db481_z.jpg

With Flickr, you choose the size of your picture that you want to display, and then copy that location for insertion under advanced editing here. That is, if you choose a "thumbnail", that's what you get!:)


Wynn:)

[wyntrout]

I removed all of the photos at Flickr and re-uploaded them, so the pix here disappeared, but I finally got the posts that I wanted. I hope they help anyone interested.

Wynn:)

[MrToad]

Excellent writeup and pics, wyntrout. I've been using 230gr. Gold Dots in a variety of pistols and have been pleased with the results.

[wyntrout]

Thanks. I have a lot more to do. I'm still thrashing around with the haphazard upload to Flickr and am ready to delete those and upload them kind of organized, rather than all at once. With 4 kinds of ammo and 2 pistols, it was a pain trying to find things and posting them in some order.
I'm the cook and it's getting close to supper, too!

Wynn:)

[Bawanna]

I also use nothing but Speer Gold Dot 230 grainers in everything I carry which is a 45 which is everything I carry so I guess that about covers it.

I envy your camera and video prowess. My son did a little of us shooting like yours that one time when I got my PM45. Turned out pretty good. No idea how he or you do it but your good at it.

[wyntrout]

I'm re-uploading everything to Flickr and then I'll have some kind of order to things so I can upload photos here. It's kind of a PITA and my wife thinks I could better spend my time on the house repairs and renovations!:rolleyes:

I use a little mount ~anywhere thing for my camera and just set it on the available ledge to the left in the shooting station... pretty small... but able to shoot the video and then take stills out for photos.

I'm really learning how to use Flickr... painfully... today. And I'm going to have to start supper soon, dangit!

Wynn:)

[MrToad]

Supper? Oh, that's what my kids are whining about. I forgot MrsToad had a doctor appointment...:D Actually, I do virtually all the cooking around here, so I can sympathize.

Would Photobucket work better for what you're trying to do, wyntrout?

[wyntrout]

Well, I got everything organized and re-uploaded to Flickr. I have to start cooking, but you can check out my photos on Flickr. I tried to caption all of them so you can tell what the picture is about.

I added 7 sets of firing photos, one of ammo and one of magazines, but I haven't uploaded the two guns used, though there are some pix of those on Flickr.

Try this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34182547@N04/sets/


Duty calls... SHMBO... Wifey.:)

Wynn:)

And, yes, Photobucket might have been easier, but I just went about this wrong.

[wyntrout]

Well, let's see how far I can get here with Wifey off to work. :)

First the PM45 firing the Bonded Remington Golden Sabers... LE/Military-type Duty ammo:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/5787500669_4ce1e69a8c_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/5788056512_f6bd4bfb77_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/5787500951_36c42bef57_b.jpg
Note the ejected case is flying back to the right rear somewhat horizontally.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/5787501109_15e8fc9145_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5788057634_e04a677fe0_b.jpg
Another showing burning bits of powder!

[wyntrout]

Now the Springfield 1911 4" firing the Bonded Remington Golden Sabers... LE/Military-type Duty ammo:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/5788116804_ea4a4f6555_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5787560479_c8fb40091b_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/5788117412_a89800c970_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/5788117862_20e1523a7b_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/5788118118_70365a7dcb_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5788118262_e6a17b042b_b.jpg

[wyntrout]

And now the PM45 firing 230-grain Speer Gold Dots:http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/5787519761_53495dd982_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/5788075948_0b86375706_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2192/5788076234_f23a78e2ff_b.jpg
Low Flash... short barrel... not so much!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5788076432_3dbb6f4bec_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/5787520495_21cf17e8b4_b.jpg

[wyntrout]

Now the Springfield 1911 4" firing the CCI/Speer 230-gr Gold Dots (bonded JHP):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/5788145758_38aaf1ea08_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5787589637_65db6f0e51_b.jpg
Note the ejected cases go vertical, pretty much, with the Gold Dots.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/5788146034_a91c0009b1_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/5787589959_bded02922e_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/5788146362_77b57c26fe_b.jpg
Low flash, not so much, but compare it to the WW100 FMJ's at the beginning of this post... relatively LOW flash. YMMV.
Wynn:)

[wyntrout]

And now the much awaited SHORT-Barrel version of the 230-grain Gold Dots... PM45 first:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2343/5788102174_4d28d08f94_b.jpg
Lower flash. :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2801/5787545815_fac777967b_b.jpg
Cases go vertical!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/5787545665_c83a62d471_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2275/5787545473_1b0eb3be44_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5787545167_b2dda0515b_b.jpg

[wyntrout]

And the Springfield 1911 4" firing the CCI/Speer 230-gr Short-Barrel version Gold Dots (bonded JHP):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/5787606741_92162124b9_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/5788162820_dde121fd8f_b.jpg
Vertically ejected cases!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/5787607045_168d3469a4_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5788163124_6aafe34035_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/5788163246_fd93edd742_b.jpg

[wyntrout]

A few more of the SAC with the short-barreled GD's:http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5788163730_76a77eca5d_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5787608059_5f3f04df48_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5788164076_594053ee89_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/5787608369_da09be3784_b.jpg

[wyntrout]

Now some pictures of the ammo where you can see the difference in the hollow point cavities and construction:http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2467/5787430857_2f0d9f99a7_z.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/5787430125_096507840f_z.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/5787429739_4237177441_z.jpg
The short barreled cavity is about 1/10 inch shallower and wider at the bottom:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/5787429603_54588215fd_z.jpg

Without velocity and penetration tests, it looks like there are benefits in using the Short Barrel GD's in the Kahrs, for sure. The lower flash and more efficient design of the cavity should give the needed expansion at the velocities achievable in the 3-4" barrels... JMHO.

Wynn:)

[wyntrout]

That's what I deleted... the photos of firing WW100 FMJ! I started over at Flickr, so I need to put those back here.
PM45 firing 230-gr WW100-pack FMJ's:http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2067/5788039118_787c13b96e_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2550/5788039472_6ee4da6f63_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/5788039704_c9a5d9422c_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3337/5787483751_e6b3c1d187_b.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/5787482485_f5126af09a_b.jpg

[wyntrout]

Well, finally, I got around to finding and sorting out the Short Barrel Gold Dots fired through my 5" S&W 645. For the most part, they have the smallest flash... usually a small orange-sized (and orange colored) ball, with a few burning bits of powder sometimes. The Remington Golden Sabers have a larger and longer flash with lots of streaming burning bits of powder.

The first three pictures are classic first frame. The fourth is kind of just missing the fireball. The fifth is of a Remington 230-Gr Golden Saber.

Here's the Photobucket album link for better pictures:

http://s1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Speer%20Gold%20Dot%20Short%20Barrel%20Flash%20Test ing/

And the next post IS the Photobucket Photos with larger resolution, from 640x480 original stills from video.

Wynn:)

[wyntrout]

Same pictures at Photobucket:
http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Speer%20Gold%20Dot%20Short%20Barrel%20Flash%20Test ing/SpeerGDSB230GrIn5inchSW645_1580-1.jpg

http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Speer%20Gold%20Dot%20Short%20Barrel%20Flash%20Test ing/SpeerGDSB230GrIn5inchSW645_1580-2.jpg

http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Speer%20Gold%20Dot%20Short%20Barrel%20Flash%20Test ing/SpeerGDSB230GrIn5inchSW645_1580-8.jpg

http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Speer%20Gold%20Dot%20Short%20Barrel%20Flash%20Test ing/SpeerGDSB230GrIn5inchSW645_1580-7.jpg
The next is Remington Golden Saber 230-grain:
http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Speer%20Gold%20Dot%20Short%20Barrel%20Flash%20Test ing/RemGS230inSW645-1_1583-1.jpg

[jocko]

nice job wyn, as usual..

[wyntrout]

Thanks, Jocko. it sure took me a while to get these posted here. Sometimes Firefox really gives me fits. I used Chrome and posting from Photobucket worked fine... then the next day Firefox let me do the same thing.

Now I need to go try out those 7-round extended grip P380 magazines and the Herters .380 FMJ I got from Cabela's.

Wynn:)

[bamaman]

Great write up and pictures. Thanks for posting!