DeeBee
Member
Since it is recommended fo 2" barrels, how would it perform in a 3" model 60?,or should I use something different?
Thoughts on Gold Dot short barrel ammo out of a 3" barrel?
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Texas Star
US Veteran
I asked a Speer rep that a couple of years ago, and he couldn't tell me off the bat what the velocity is from a three-inch gun, but he pointed out that NYC and some other police forces issue the Short Barrel load for ALL .38 Specials still in use. This seems to work well.
I also have the 125 grainers that are higher velocity and use them in four-inch guns. I've decided to use the Short Barrel 135 grainer with the larger cavity in snub and three-inch guns. I think the load will crack 900 FPS in a three-inch barrel, maybe a bit more. Probably do 950 in a four-inch.
That's only about 100 FPS more than they're intended to give from a snub. I doubt that'll cause so much expansion that it limits penetration to a serious degree. It should remain an effective load. The Gold Dot bonded bullets are unlikely to shed the core, a key reason why I buy them.
If anyone knows more or has performed meaningful trials, please tell us. I am particularly interested in hearing from those on police forces where this load has been used in a number of shootings.
I also have the 125 grainers that are higher velocity and use them in four-inch guns. I've decided to use the Short Barrel 135 grainer with the larger cavity in snub and three-inch guns. I think the load will crack 900 FPS in a three-inch barrel, maybe a bit more. Probably do 950 in a four-inch.
That's only about 100 FPS more than they're intended to give from a snub. I doubt that'll cause so much expansion that it limits penetration to a serious degree. It should remain an effective load. The Gold Dot bonded bullets are unlikely to shed the core, a key reason why I buy them.
If anyone knows more or has performed meaningful trials, please tell us. I am particularly interested in hearing from those on police forces where this load has been used in a number of shootings.
badge 851
US Veteran
It is my understanding that the Speer® load, as well has the Federal® 125gr Nyclad; is optimized (burns all gunpowder in the two inch barrel). If this is so any gains in FPE or FPS would be negligible at best. Others with far more knowledge than I will be along shortly to help you.Since it is recommended fo 2" barrels, how would it perform in a 3" model 60?,or should I use something different?
Knightrider03m
Member
I am still not on the side of buying ammo just for SB guns. Go with the normal speer GD IMO
Any particular reason?
Totally idiosyncratic reasoning here, but I've fired the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .38 +P out of a three inch Model 64 -- felt like a pop gun and left me opting for the Speer GD standard 125 grain load in a three incher, simply for the greater power in a still very manageable load/firearm combination.
Knightrider03m
Member
I was able to test how well my 437 did using Federal Hydro-shock +p+ 125gn (I think that was the weight) and also some SB gold dots. The results were so close, it wasn't even worth changing over......
papajohn428
Member
I use the SB Gold Dots in ALL my 38 revolvers, and issue them to my troops as well. I have 38's in 2", 3" and 4", and haven't found anything that works better, regardless of barrel length. The Critical Defense stuff from Hornady is good, but I prefer a little more momentum. A 135 bonded slug beats a 110-grain bullet every time.
Pigirondan
Member
There is nothing wrong with using the SB ammo in a longer barrel. It's efficacy is neither increased nor decreased. (there will naturally be some increase in fps, but nothing profound) The "problem" (as it were) is that the SB ammo works better in a short barrel than the standard ammo.
Using SB ammo in a longer barrel doesn't turn a firecracker into the space shuttle.
Using SB ammo in a longer barrel doesn't turn a firecracker into the space shuttle.
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DeeBee
Member
I use the SB Gold Dots in ALL my 38 revolvers, and issue them to my troops as well. I have 38's in 2", 3" and 4", and haven't found anything that works better, regardless of barrel length. The Critical Defense stuff from Hornady is good, but I prefer a little more momentum. A 135 bonded slug beats a 110-grain bullet every time.
You sound like a smart man!
LOBO
Member
This is a thread I posted a while back,
http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/198882-tested-38-special-speer-gdsb-135-gr-p-2-4-barrel.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/198882-tested-38-special-speer-gdsb-135-gr-p-2-4-barrel.html
Infidel_319
Member
I know you're talking .38s, but 124 +p gold dot is my favorite self defense ammo in my Glock 26 and my Smith 940. Good penetration and expansion through 4 layers of denim and 98+% weight retention, I love them.
