*TEST* "Short Barrel" 135gr+P Gold Dot Water/Denim

[Josh Smith]

Revolver: Rossi M68 1-7/8” Barrel
Ammunition: 38 Spl Gold Dot “Short Barrel” 135 grain +P

Readers have been asking for a test of this ammunition. I do not order ammo for my own reasons and was unable to get any. A friend saw my dilemma and sent me a sample.

In celebration, I built a new test platform.


This new testing platform is designed to better retain the water jugs. It will take a leaden shield in the back to stop any rounds which may pass through five water jugs. The side shields cover all but the first jug, which many times comes undone in an enthusiastic manner. I believe that it’s better to let this one go as the box may suffer damage, and flying wooden debris are likely more dangerous than flying water.


This is a dual-purpose box. The sides have holes in them to accept dowel rods. The idea is to turn it into a Fackler box should I decide to use Dr. Fackler’s method.


The box is marked at 1” intervals so I can make more accurate estimates of penetration.

On to the test…


This is one gaping Gold Dot. The bullet has only the slightest of curve before it opens up into the hollowpoint.

Speer claims a velocity of 860fps from a 1-7/8” barrel from this round. I’ve seen figures published on the Internet which give it over 900fps from the same length barrel.

Additionally, Speer advertises penetration figures of 11” in bare gelatin, 11” in heavily clothed gelatin, and 13” in gelatin covered with four layers of denim.


The new setup…


… and the shot.


I found the first jug shredded, on the ground.


The denim went its own way too, with a bullet hole through the middle.


The bullet impacted at 21” of water and bounced back a few inches (lower left hand corner). The jug which it bounced off of was cut.

The shoot looked like a 9mm standard pressure round from a service sized pistol, not a round from a 38 Spl snub nose. Additionally, while recoil was a bit brisk, it was not at all uncontrollable and because it was quick, it was actually quite pleasant from my all-steel revolver.


These are the numbers I came up with inside after shooting.


Expansion was about .62”.



As you can see, the petals folded back further than they probably would have in tissue or gelatin. This is common in water testing.

The 21” of penetration I got in water through denim would give approximately 10.5” to 13.1” in gelatin, which is consistent with the numbers provided by Speer.

In summary, it looks like we may have a winner. Though I’m not aware of any actual street usage of this round as of yet, it would seem that it does approximate a standard pressure 9mm round from a service sized pistol. It almost duplicates the performance of the standard pressure 115gr Remington hollowpoint (non-GS) I tested a while back.

I will carry this load in my revolver and keep the FBI load in a speed loader I have on the way, ready to go on my belt. The test numbers look very promising, but I’m a bit leery of relying solely on data collected in testing, whether it be an informal water test or a more scientific calibrated gelatin test.

Regardless, this is the only round besides the old FBI load I would feel comfortable using from a snubby to dispatch a coyote. If I get the chance, I’ll report the results. Usually though, I have a long gun with me on my hikes and hunts.

Hope you enjoyed!

Josh <><

[bwframe]

Thanks for the info. I'd be interested in some info on a good non +P loading if found a reason to test it. I have an old Colt Agent that I'm a bit leery of using +P in with the aluminum frame.

I like those cool metal "saw horses" you used to hold the project up with.

[Crystalship1]

Thanks for the data!!!

[Josh Smith]

Originally Posted by bwframe

Thanks for the info. I'd be interested in some info on a good non +P loading if found a reason to test it. I have an old Colt Agent that I'm a bit leery of using +P in with the aluminum frame.

I'm having a heck of a time finding anything in a defensive load that's not +P. Buffalo Bore makes a load that isn't +P, but does gain the velocity of a +P load and uses some really soft lead.

Unfortunately, I've not been able to find the stuff locally and I usually don't order ammo. I've had a lot of trouble with doing so.

As I think that report said, this stuff seems to be barely +P. Certainly not any snappier than standard pressure practice ammo, and less snappy than the FBI load.

My Rossi isn't +P rated either though it'll take Speer Lawman 125gr +P (hot hot hot) and not fall apart. I just practice with standard pressure and carry the Gold Dot Short Barrel tested above.

Thanks,

Josh <><

P.S. What type of standard pressure ammo do you carry? I'll be on the lookout of for some. J.S.

[bwframe]

Originally Posted by Josh Smith

P.S. What type of standard pressure ammo do you carry? I'll be on the lookout of for some. J.S.

I don't really carry it. It's been a safe queen for years. Just recently I dug it out and discovered it fits very nicely in the neoprene top of my Muck boots. I live pretty close to a lake and often bank fish in them.

I have some very old lead round nose in it now, 158 gr I think. I need to put a fair amount of rounds through it to see how accurate I can be how far out.

Thanks

[Crystalship1]

Hey Josh,

Have you done any testing at all with this frangible or "green" ammo? I thought I read where in addition to being "range & environment friendly", it was also showing promise as a defensive round.

Here's an example: Catalog

BTW..... Nice data flow on all that testing!!!

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

No, I've not. I don't see it around here.

If I get my hands on some, I'll test it though. I'm always on the lookout for new and different stuff - and old and different, in the case of some of this stuff I have tested.

Josh <><

[Crystalship1]

Originally Posted by Josh Smith

Hello,

No, I've not. I don't see it around here.

If I get my hands on some, I'll test it though. I'm always on the lookout for new and different stuff - and old and different, in the case of some of this stuff I have tested.

Josh <><

Cool. Thanks!!!

[jimbo-indy]

Thanks for the info. Looks like it may be a good choice for when I carry my old S&W, Military-Police (now model 10) even though it is a 4". Glad to hear you don't think the pressure is to high. The old Smith is about 1949 vintage but really tight. Wouldn't use these except for test and carry. Handloaded wadcutters for practice.
Thanks for the time and trouble to test and report.

[techres]

FYI: Winchester Silver Hollow Point 110 grain .38 standard pressure is still available. I use the "Short Barrel" 135gr+P Gold Dot as the load ammo in my daily carry 642. I keep 6 silver HP in a speed strip in my pocket as "slow reload". I figure if things are bad enough that I am reloading from my speed strip, I'd better have silver.