Remington Golden Saber +P Users?

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Eddietruett

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Anyone use the Remington Golden Saber +P Loads for carry?
Been looking at the lucky gunner.com test and the .38 125gr +P shows some pretty impressive results. 13.9” penetration and expands to .62” out of a 2” revolver at less than 900fps. I know that gel test aren’t an absolute science but compared to other brands out of a 2” gun it looks darn good. Another thing I find attractive is you can buy a box of 50 cheaper than most “defense “ bullets in a box of 20! While I’m the last person to pinch pennies for defense ammo, it sort of confirms what I’ve always thought that ammo manufacturers charge way more per round for their “specialty defense” loads
 
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I do and have for over 20 years. My former agency issued the round in four calibers and we had excellent results with said round. We initially carried the 147 grain in the 9mm, " because the FBI carried 147's ", and several years later switched over to the 124 Plus P's. there were no dramatic failures with the 147's but we got some sharper range and training personal in positions that mattered and the switch was made. I'm sure there are now more improved projectiles available but you would be hard pressed to find fault with the Golden Sabre.
 
The 38 Special +P is my normal carry load for my J frames. Seems to work really well.
 
Performers nicely from a snub, but you might find the muzzle flash to be quite strong. The Speer's Gold Dot 135 grain Short Barrel load gives near equal performance but in my experience produces far and away less flash, preserving the ability to see in a low-light defensive encounter, and is therefore my choice as the superior load.
 
I shot some of this in 9 from my carry gun, after it began to tarnish. Holy **** was that stuff hot! I never looked to see if I could find any remnants of them down range, but it was an experience I won't soon forget.
I don't see any reason I wouldn't carry it again.
 
I’ve ccw’d the Rem GS 124-gr+P JHP 9mm in my Glock 19 for years because it’s abaikable and I shoot it consistently well (in addition to it being a well thought of SD brand). Can’t say I have much experience with it in a .38 Spl load but I do know that the 125-gr 357 Mag load is on the light side compared to other .357 SD loads.
 
JayFramer said:
Performers nicely from a snub, but you might find the muzzle flash to be quite strong. The Speer's Gold Dot 135 grain Short Barrel load gives near equal performance but in my experience produces far and away less flash, preserving the ability to see in a low-light defensive encounter, and is therefore my choice as the superior load.
Click to expand...

I wound up with 100 and I'm thinking about pulling a few and loading with a less "flashy powder". According to the Luckygunner test, at 821 fps they give around 14" of penetration and expand to .62". That's pretty impressive to me. Should be real easy to hit that velocity with Unique or Universal and have less flash. If nothing else, it will be fun trying.
 
I've been a big fan or Remington Golden Sabre's since around the mid 90's. I have my s&w 642 loaded up with them right now....
 
Eddietruett said:
I wound up with 100 and I'm thinking about pulling a few and loading with a less "flashy powder". According to the Luckygunner test, at 821 fps they give around 14" of penetration and expand to .62". That's pretty impressive to me. Should be real easy to hit that velocity with Unique or Universal and have less flash. If nothing else, it will be fun trying.
Click to expand...

Yes the tests I've seen coming out of snub nose barrels have been very good. There really aren't many good-performing .38 special hollow point loads that expand uniformly and still penetrate well in these short barreled guns. This Remington load is one of them for sure.

I would just shoot some side-by-side with the aforementioned Speer load. You'll see I've a point on the flash. :)
 
So far unmentioned of the series is the Golden Saber .45 auto 185 grain +P. Seldom discussed but a real barnburner. Usually priced less than the same GS round of standard velocity, I don't hear much talk about it. Blast is fierce and accurate second shots difficult. Strong spring is needed for it in a 1911. Who's using this round and what has been your experience with it? After two range sessions, I switched to the GS 230 grain in 45 ACP and this one is a great round. IMO.
 
Make sure you get the "Bonded" version, or else jacket separation is about guaranteed. Check almost any reviews of it, and I've experienced it myself firsthand.

It took me one GS purchase to make sure I never did it again.

For revolvers, best bet is the Gold Dot short barrel or the regular version in +P. If Federal ever releases a regular HST round in revolver calibers, that would be the best choice. This is if you want the most dependable expanding hollowpoint made.

There is just much better options out there for the price.
 
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I'm a huge fan of Golden Saber. I used to carry 180 grain GS in a P229 for on-duty work. I never felt vulnerable.
 
I used a 380 ACP with Golden Sabre's on a recently deceased antelope. The goat had just died, I propped it up and shot 2 rounds with the entrance at the last rib and exit, if it did, in the off shoulder. One bullet exited and one remained in the shoulder. The one recovered bullet looks like a Remington advertisement. Perfect mushroom, though I seemed to have missed bones with both bullets.
 
The 125gr Remington GS in my J frame 38 Special snub nose, out performed
the 125gr 38 Special Gold Dot "Bonded" bullet, that a lot of people choose for SD.

The GS is the top load in the 125gr range, so far, for my weapon.
 
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