GDHP vs JHP

[Berserker]

I am working up a load of Bullseye for .38 special. Bullseye website lists 125 grain GDHP. How are gold dot hollow points different then JHP? Can I treat as the same? GDHP is simply a brand????

Working up a +P load for .38 of Bullseye, 125 grain. Want to try practice with something similar to carry loads. So far I have gone up to 4.6, which is close of Federal Hydrashocks.

This is for a J frame 638. I'd like to practice with some hotter loads to see what I would like to carry. This is the only time I have loaded +P loads, so want to be careful. I have some plated HP, Rainers.

Thanks.

[Rule3]

Speer GD generally have a flatter nose profile than a generic JHP. You can use data for the same weight (as yours is plated, use the start to mid load data for JHP)

What will be different is the COL. If you look at the ACCUrate on line load data ( I know it;s not your powder) but I think they list data for plated bullets and will give you an idea of COL.

EDIT!

[Ben_hutcherson]

I think that you're seeing the value of having more than one reloading manual.

FWIW, I pulled out the only two reloading manuals I had readily available-Lyman #49 and the 2013 Alliant Reloader's Guide.

The Alliant book(which I think is the same as the data available on Alliant's website) lists 4.5gr under a 125gr Gold Dot HP for a standard pressure load, and 4.8gr under a 125gr GDHP for a +P load.

The only 125gr JHP Lyman lists is Hornady #35710. For Bullseye, 3.2gr is listed as the minimum charge, 4.4gr as the max, and 5.0gr as +P.

Pressures can vary depending on many factors, including the overall length of the bullet and the seating depth in the case. If I wanted to push the pressure limit in a situation like this, my first inclination would be to try and locate the exact components listed in the reloading guides. Although they may take some hunting, the Hornady XTPs are available for around $.18-$.20 each, and the Gold Dots at around $.25 each. This is still a lot less expensive than factory loaded self defense ammo.

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by Ben_hutcherson

I think that you're seeing the value of having more than one reloading manual.

F.

I have a 47th Lyman, Speer, One book, and the internet. Even then it can be tough to find the exact bullet you have.

I like the One books. I only have 5 rounds I am loading for now, so $8 a caliber isn't a big deal.

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by Rule3

What will be different is the COL.

I have measured factory ammo, and it usually nowhere near the books.


Federal Hydrashock is 1.40, COL in book is 1.45. Granted this is small difference in the scheme of things, but I am not sure if this has any effect on pressure.

[vipermd]

What load are your carrying?

[colt_saa]

Originally Posted by Berserker

How are gold dot hollow points different then JHP? Can I treat as the same? GDHP is simply a brand????

BINGO

It is the difference between facial tissue and Kleenex

[colt_saa]

Originally Posted by Rule3

Even though BE has data for the 9mm there are better choices of powder. BE is pretty fast burning for the (mm especially if you are going +P.

Unless the original post was significantly edited after you typed this, I do not understand the reference to 9MM in a thread about 38 Special.

[colt_saa]

Originally Posted by Ben_hutcherson

I think that you're seeing the value of having more than one reloading manual.

This is ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY.

If using any single source, especially for a novice hand loader, there is always the danger of a typo. The Internet or published books can always have misprints.

I keep all my old manuals, so there are 4, 5 or 6 copies of some of them. But I have to admit that I always enjoyed reading some of the stories about how a cartridge came to be.

[Nevada Ed]

GD's are a quality SD bullet but you can shoot Hornady's for less money for practice and plated for even less money than the heavy wall jackets.

In my 38 J frame sunb and a 4" 9mm .............
Bullseye falls short from fps that I can get with Red Dot with the same amount of powder.

.38 spl. with a 125 jhp is 820 vs 903 and in the 9mm with a 115 FMJ 4.2 Bull at 1037 and 4.2 Red at 1073 fps.

Have fun.

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by colt_saa

BINGO

It is the difference between facial tissue and Kleenex

This is what I was trying to find out. I didn't know you could buy GDHP, never seen them, other then assembled bullets .

As for my carry load, I haven't really settled on anything. I Winchester PDX in there now, and I bought a box Hydrashocks, cause it was all I could find last year, which is 950 fps.

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by colt_saa

Unless the original post was significantly edited after you typed this, I do not understand the reference to 9MM in a thread about 38 Special.

Probably because I am old, decrepate, kant reed or right good either and made a mistake,Past my bed time also

[Nevada Ed]

I always thought that too much information was better than not getting enough..............

You can toss the "crust" around the sandwich away if you don't want it..............

PS;
The 638 is +P rated but it also weighs in at around 16 oz.
Which barrel length ?
Good shooting.

[Vulcan Bob]

The Gold Dots generally have a longer bearing surface that may or may not raise pressures with another bullets loading data. As for over all length a bullet made for revolvers will have a cannelure and just seat and crimp into the cannelure. I have some oddball .38 cal 147gr Gold Dots that are marked on the box (.38 SPL .357" GDHP) product code 4016 that have the cannelure. I agree, look for loading data for the exact bullet you are loading.

[Rule3]

Gold Dots are more of premium bullet they are not just like any generic brand any more than XTPs are like any bulk Winchester or Remington HP bullet.

The design and expansion are better that ACME bullets or some other basic brand, There are basic Winchester JHP and then there are their better bullets same with Remington

When supply was not so bad you could buy GD, XTP, Hydra Shock, Rem Golden Sabers etc.components

The only way to duplicate your carry ammo is to chronograph whatever bullet you are using.

If you want to use GD they have short barrel bullets which are supposed to expand better at slower velocities. Hard to find those however. If I recall they are 125 gr

You can use lead, plated or some other Jacketed bullet, doesn't need to be expensive HP ammo to practice with.

http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/ammo.aspx

[ArchAngelCD]

Originally Posted by Berserker

I am working up a load of Bullseye for .38 special. Bullseye website lists 125 grain GDHP. How are gold dot hollow points different then JHP? Can I treat as the same? GDHP is simply a brand????

Working up a +P load for .38 of Bullseye, 125 grain. Want to try practice with something similar to carry loads. So far I have gone up to 4.6, which is close of Federal Hydrashocks.

This is for a J frame 638. I'd like to practice with some hotter loads to see what I would like to carry. This is the only time I have loaded +P loads, so want to be careful. I have some plated HP, Rainers.

Thanks.

If you are trying to replicate factory ammo to test if you want to carry it you are using the wrong powder. Bullseye is a very fast powder and you will reach or exceed the +P pressure limits long before you match the velocity and felt recoil of factory Speer .38 Special +P ammo.

I did a lot of Speer replica load development a few years back and with the testing I did along with speaking to the Tech at Speer I came up with AA#5 as the powder choice for the .38 Special +P load and Power Pistil for the .357 Magnum load. (both short barrel replicas)

IMO a charge of 6.8gr to 7.0gr AA#5 under a 125gr GDHP bullet will get you close to the velocity and closely mimic the felt recoil of the original. That is nowhere near the Max charge according to Accurate so it's very safe. (7.5gr Max)

NOTE: Never trust load data you get from an Internet forum because mistakes can and will happen when writing numbers. Always verify the data for yourself...

[Berserker]

Thanks for all the replies.

[Black_Talon]

Originally Posted by Vulcan Bob

The Gold Dots generally have a longer bearing surface that may or may not raise pressures with another bullets loading data.

This is absolutely correct.