Speer Gold Dot-Availability

[Model19man]

I would keep the ammo you have if it was made post - WWII. My friend bought a case of British .303 ammunition from WWI. It was loaded with Cordite - lots of FTF and hang fires in the first box. He ended up tossing 950+ rounds in the range trash can.

I do not believe you will have any problem.

 

[rwsmith]

I load practice rounds....

Yes sir, that’s my plan for now, even though my current Gold Dot’s condition is becoming questionable.

I do not agree with loading my own. I do reload all of my target ammo but I feel like using reloads for defensive ammo is not a good idea. Doing so would give the lawyers something to use against me in a defensive shooting trail. Factory loaded defensive ammo only for me.

I reload practice rounds that are similar in characteristics to my defensive ammo. Between the cost and scarcity of good defensive ammo I can't see shooting it downrange except for evaluating what to expect in POI.

 

[BeachBumShooter]

I reload practice rounds that are similar in characteristics to my defensive ammo. Between the cost and scarcity of good defensive ammo I can't see shooting it downrange except for evaluating what to expect in POI.

Yes sir, that makes perfectly good sense to me.

So, you carry factory ammo, but reload and then practice with an equivalent. How would one go about copying a loading for a specific type of factory ammo? I mean the manufacturers don’t publish their load data, or at least I don’t think they do.
Someone posted above that even the Speer Gold Dot loose bullets for reloading are not even available.

 

[rwsmith]

Reload a bullet....

Yes sir, that makes perfectly good sense to me.

So, you carry factory ammo, but reload and then practice with an equivalent. How would one go about copying a loading for a specific type of factory ammo? I mean the manufacturers don’t publish their load data, or at least I don’t think they do.
Someone posted above that even the Speer Gold Dot loose bullets for reloading are not even available.

...of similar weight and construction. An FMJ is good but I shoot a lot of coated bullets of the same weight. Check the velocity against the chronograph (good to have if you reload) and adjust the load accordingly. It may not be exactly the same or may 'feel' different because some loads 'push' and others 'kick' but not enough to make a real difference. Some advocate pinpoint accuracy but for defense situations from inches to a few yards I don't think pinpoint accuracy is either possible or practical. And they are right, Speer components have been in short supply or unobtanium. That's why I don't shoot but a few for familiarization and the rest of my practice is with reloaded 'clones' similar enough that they are practically the same. And honestly, I ain't that great of a shooter, if my shots go into a small paper plate sized target, I feel good about it.

BTW, I use mostly standard ammo so I'm not trying to get 'max' velocity out my loads, but whatever range the manufacturer uses that tests well. I like to consult Lucky Gunner, Paul Harrell, a few other Youtube sources and whatever I can find to read. One thing I learned from Paul Harrell is that even a .380 loaded with FMJ ammo can overpenetrate a real target as much as a 9mm can. So no FMJ in my defense loads.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

I do the same thing. I chronograph the factory load and, using the same bullet weight, work up a load that approximates the velocity and point of impact. It’s not that hard.

 

[AJ]

I do the same thing. I chronograph the factory load and, using the same bullet weight, work up a load that approximates the velocity and point of impact. It’s not that hard.

I use a program called QuickLOAD for all my loading. Have not found anything better. Saves a bunch of time.

 

[Skeet 028]

Maybe I am under thinking this but...With the ammo I carry in a Semi auto...the first thing I do is make sur it is RELIABLE. I usually carry Golden Sabres in 45...they are reliable in every 45 I carried...except one. The one I really wanted to carry. A 3 inch Kimber. I no lonfer have it. Could not get any good factory ammo to shoot. I had a couple of reloads that came close. I have no qualms about carrying my reloads...and in fact I have some reloads as reliable and as accurate as factory. IMO...just mine now...all the gel tests blah blah things on the YT channels really don't mean too much. They just aren't real life. I have only seen maybe 26 shootings in real life scenarios. I literally saw a BG get shot in the forehead at less than 10 feet. He was extremely lucky..the bullet skidded along his skull. He went down...right there. 5 minutes later he was moaning. Didn't know what Zombie apocalypse was back then. What I guess I'm trying to say...is find a good reliable load thar fits your gun...practice with it. Yes I prefer HPs especially if they shoot well. And remember there's ALWAYS that guy named Murphy messing things up.Oh and remember...if you have to use force...You'll probably be scared after the fact

 

[Rule3]

Speer Gold Dots are excellent ammo, but have not been around for a while. No need to get to concerned as there are other brands out there that will work as well.
Shot placement matters more than anything.

 

[rwsmith]

Wish I could afford that one.....

I use a program called QuickLOAD for all my loading. Have not found anything better. Saves a bunch of time.

...but I'm stuck guesstimating loads and chronoing them. Oh well, not too bad and after about 40 years of practice it ain't that hard.

PS: I just looked at the software capabilities. Holy Moly.

Ballistic tables
Create a Range card
Target design
Barrel length calculator
Energy / velocity converter
Trajectory curve
Wind drift, wind doping
Seating depth vs pressure
Ammunition development
Flight time
Look up Powder burn rate dater
Look up Reloading supplies
Make Custom ammunition
Look up Reamer print, drawings

I hope one day I can get it.

 

[AJ]

I use a program called QuickLOAD for all my loading. Have not found anything better. Saves a bunch of time.

...but I'm stuck guesstimating loads and chronoing them. Oh well, not too bad and after about 40 years of practice it ain't that hard.

PS: I just looked at the software capabilities. Holy Moly.

Ballistic tables
Create a Range card
Target design
Barrel length calculator
Energy / velocity converter
Trajectory curve
Wind drift, wind doping
Seating depth vs pressure
Ammunition development
Flight time
Look up Powder burn rate dater
Look up Reloading supplies
Make Custom ammunition
Look up Reamer print, drawings

I hope one day I can get it.

Been doing this for over 50 years. I did not start keeping record until 1973. QuickLoad is the best I have found. A lot of the stuff you mention is included in that program.

 

[fiasconva]

BeachBumShooter, that is a lot of vendors that do not have it. Wow!

 

[pharmer]

.........I would not mind using the Winchester 130 Ranger or PDX1 or the Federal 130gr HST , in its place. They all work great out of a 2" 38 special.

I have 4 "centennial" type .38/.357's. I like these, don't imagine much "ballistic difference" at close range. Joe

 

[AJ]

Only one box of Speer Gold Dot. Picked up all of this in "deals". Don't think I need more?

Just found the Zombie Ammo hidden away. Hope I never have a use for it.

 

[Magnum_PI]

I would say online.

I haven't been able to find Gold Dots in person for YEARS where I am. It's disappointing. It's good stuff. I also like Federal stuff as an alternative.

 

[Rule3]

Try any of these magic bullets, They all work
Not saying buy here but as good as anywhere else.


Midway USA (why does it do this?)
Access Denied

 

[Skeet 028]

I have a box of the same 45s you have there...40 rounds of Speer 9mm gold dot and two boxes of some kind of Gold Dot bullets for reloading Pretty certain one said for 38 Super. I just remember setting them up on "a" shelf. Maybe they were just 9mm bullets. I also found a box or three of Black Talons 3 different calibers

 

[harrydog]

I know you're looking for Gold Dots but if you're unable to find any there are some other really good options out there as others have said. Here are some 38 Special ballistic test results from both a 2" and 4" barrel.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/re.../?_vwo_uuid=D7E59BBAD7CABDFF7D3B839B134A6E4CE
The Federal HST Micro looks really good but I've never been able to find any of those. Underwood makes some really good performing ammo and is worth trying also.

 

[AJ]

The Federal HST Micro looks really good but I've never been able to find any of those. Underwood makes some really good performing ammo and is worth trying also.

There is a box of HST Micro's in the center of the first picture in my Post#33.

 

[BeachBumShooter]

I know you're looking for Gold Dots but if you're unable to find any there are some other really good options out there as others have said. Here are some 38 Special ballistic test results from both a 2" and 4" barrel.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/re.../?_vwo_uuid=D7E59BBAD7CABDFF7D3B839B134A6E4CE
The Federal HST Micro looks really good but I've never been able to find any of those. Underwood makes some really good performing ammo and is worth trying also.

I found two boxes of the Federal HST micro a couple of years ago and I put those in the air weight snubbys. I sure wish I could find some more of those as I only have 10 rounds left. The HST micro and Speer Short barrel really make sense to me out of J frame snubbys.
The ammo shortage is pretty much over. Why can’t the manufacturers retool and run off a batch? It’s clear there is a demand for these and they would sale quickly!