Speer Standard Pressure 38 Special Gold Dot

[Cal44]

I just ordered a couple boxes of Speer standard pressure 38 special Gold Dot.

I figured it would be a good load for older Airweight Revolvers like my M37.

125 gr.

I think it is part of their law enforcement line, but will sell to the general public.

Anyone have any experience with this load?

These days the 38+P short barrel 135 gr has turned into unobtainium.

 

[QED]

I just ordered a couple boxes of Speer standard pressure 38 special Gold Dot.

I figured it would be a good load for older Airweight Revolvers like my M37.

125 gr.

I think it is part of their law enforcement line, but will sell to the general public.

Anyone have any experience with this load?

These days the 38+P short barrel 135 gr has turned into unobtainium.

According to Speer this round has MV of 865 fps from a 4" barrel; from a snub it's probably sub 800 fps and probably won't expand with heavy clothing barrier and will likely penetrate less than 12" in bare gel. Terminally it's in .380 ACP category...

 

[jimbo728]

In close, which is the most likely scenario, a 790 fps Gold Dot 125 gr
bullet should do a pretty good job. Better recoil control afforded by the lighter load means a quick hit with a second shot would be even better.
Sounds like a wise choice for an Airweight.
Jim

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I prefer the 135gr Short Barrel +P load in a short barrel revolver. The bullet was specifically designed to reliably expand at the lower velocities associated with a short barrel and it's very accurate in all the revolvers I've used it in.

 

[QED]

I prefer the 135gr Short Barrel +P load in a short barrel revolver. The bullet was specifically designed to reliably expand at the lower velocities associated with a short barrel and it's very accurate in all the revolvers I've used it in.

That's generally true with 4LD or heavy clothing barrier if impact velocity is at least 850 fps or so.

 

[hlwjr1947]

Try SG Ammo, they have it now and then.

 

[chief38]

As of this moment SG ammo says they DO have it in stock!

 

[Nevada Ed]

The 135 GD was designed with 7 petals and 800 fps to open up.

The 125gr GD should have just 6 petals and is designed for higher speeds of 905fps or more to open up, due to a heavier copper jacket wall.

My test with the 125gr bullet in my J frame had to reach a K frame pressure to expand c/o 935 fps.
My load with a 2" J frame is at 880 fps with a MV of 215 ft/lbs.

Have fun.

 

[hsmith9491]

sgammo.com often has 135 gr short barrel, you can give them your phone number and they will text you when in stock. 50 round box at a good price.

 

[Texas Star]

I don't see a lot of hope for expansion and may not even deep penetration with a std. pressure Gold Dot. It probably is better than a RN lead bullet.

I'd avoid Gold Dot at that velocity and buy another brand, if possible.

I do very much like Plus P Gold Dot. But I use the 125 grain only in four - inch or longer barrels. I do not use the 135 grain in longer than four-inch barrels.

One poster here needs to learn to spell, "petals.", not "pedals."

 

[Cal44]

There is a test out there with the 125 38+P gold dot from a 1 7/8" barrel (LCR 38).

Pocket Guns and Gear: Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 125 Grain GDHP Terminal Test

The bullet achieves 900 fps and expands nicely to .55" and penetrates 12".

Surprisingly, at least this one test shows the 125 Gold Dot 38+P is just as good a short barrel round as the 135 everyone talks about.

I wonder what velocity the standard pressure 125 gold dot achieves.

Perhaps 800 fps or so????

Will it expand? Don't know and can't find any gel tests or even chrono data for short barrels.

The general consensus on this thread seems to be the standard pressure load is pretty useless, but I'd like to see someone test it.

The 110 gr standard pressure Critical Defense is probably better and there is lots of test data available.

The standard pressure 125 gr buffalo bore 38 special load achieves 921 fps from a 2" barrel so it probably would be a good choice if you want a JHP a bit heavier than 110 gr.

 

[Brasky]

If the round you are choosing doesn't even achieve 12" in gel you are better off with a non-expanding projectile IMO. A .357 diameter hole through the vitals is way better than a .50" hole stuck in the flesh.

The loads my wife carries in her 637 are standard velocity and usually an older jhp design as they will achieve farther penetration due to less expansion

 

[QED]

There is a test out there with the 125 38+P gold dot from a 1 7/8" barrel (LCR 38).

Pocket Guns and Gear: Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 125 Grain GDHP Terminal Test

The bullet achieves 900 fps and expands nicely to .55" and penetrates 12".

Surprisingly, at least this one test shows the 125 Gold Dot 38+P is just as good a short barrel round as the 135 everyone talks about.

I wonder what velocity the standard pressure 125 gold dot achieves.

Perhaps 800 fps or so????

Will it expand? Don't know and can't find any gel tests or even chrono data for short barrels.

The general consensus on this thread seems to be the standard pressure load is pretty useless, but I'd like to see someone test it.

The 110 gr standard pressure Critical Defense is probably better and there is lots of test data available.

The standard pressure 125 gr buffalo bore 38 special load achieves 921 fps from a 2" barrel so it probably would be a good choice if you want a JHP a bit heavier than 110 gr.

Apples and oranges. An expanded 125 grain GD @ 900 fps through TWO layers of denim AND Sim-Test material in no way implies that such or similar GD @ 800 fps (or less) shot through heavy clothing or 4 LD and 10% ordnance gel would expand at all. Not at all. Unless it tumbles, it's got the effectiveness of an FMJ.