Ballistic gelatin test results : .357 Magnum 158gr Speer Gold Dot JHP

[Brass Fetcher]

I imagine that Speer designed the 158gr bullets to be limited expansion and the 9x19mm bullet to expand a good deal more. Possibly, one bullet is used for hunting and the other for SD...

In any event, we are planning on testing the same gun/round against heavy denim. I'm interested in the expansion characteristics of this bullet, as tested. It appears as though slightly greater velocity would have bent the jacket segments back further, giving much better penetration. This test provides an example of the importance of testing a load in the gun that you are intending to fire it in... I recall reading the Speer results of this cartridge out of a 4" Glock 19... 12" of penetration depth in bare gelatin and the jacket looked like it was folded back like a normal Gold Dot...

Look for more testing of this round in the near future.

 

[roscoe]

Those rounds are moving right to left through the block, right? If so, that looks like a pretty good performer.

If they are moving left to right, it looks like it took 11" or so for the expansion to occur?

 

[DMK]

Wow, I'm using these in my 6" barreled Model 28. Probably not the best round for home defense.

 

[RyanM]

Definitely looks like a hunting load to me. .5" of expansion is pretty underwhelming, but it's a real penetrator. Interesting how some GDs tend to fold back, while others (like the 9mm 124gr +P) tend to "starfish."

Think you'd ever have access to some really good high-speed photography equipment? I'd be really interested in seeing how long the jacket petals of Remington Golden Saber remain extended. It seems like really good stuff, and the two-part expansion (jacket and core) is a very interesting way of controlling expansion vs. penetration.

 

[Feanaro]

Holy Mackerel! What more could you want??

Well, I'd like a bullet that causes instant death when it nicks a pinky. More realistically, expansion in the .6-.7 range and penetration over 12 inches. JE223 tested a 170 grain Black Talon for the .357 and it meets that.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=269429

 

[LeonCarr]

To all the folks who are disappointed, read post #4.

It killed a deer .

Meets my criteria.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[CZF]

I just shot some Double Tap 158 Gr. Gold Dots today.
Awesome!



So i do wonder what actual velocity one would get with a 2 inch barrel with a load rated @ 1,400 from a four incher.

The 158 Gold Dots seemed to shoot better than 125 gr loads
iin regards to accuracy.

I wanted a Powerful load for my SP101 in rural areas..hiking and fishing. The Double Tap is it!

 

[19-3Ben]

JE223-

Thank you for posting this.
In my SP101 I actually carry DoubleTap's 158gr. GDHP load. Based on their website, I expect it's hitting about 1300-1350 fps from my 3"bbl.
I trusted it before, but now that I've seen this test...well...hoooaaaahhhh.

Oops, didn't read the second page.
a huge +1 to what CZF just said. I carry what he carries! But I carry that load all the time, not just hiking and fishing. Only time I take it out is when the SP101 does HD duty in which case it gets the 135grSBGDHP's.

 

[GTSteve03]

So i do wonder what actual velocity one would get with a 2 inch barrel with a load rated @ 1,400 from a four incher.

The DoubleTap website lists these chrono results for the 158gr:

Velocity: 1400fps / 4" Ruger GP-100
1245fps / 1 7/8" S&W
1540fps / 6"bbl S&W 686

So, your 2.25" SP101 (same one I have, great choice) is probably hitting around 1275, maybe even 1300fps as Rugers tend to shoot a little faster than S&Ws. 19-3Ben's 3" barrel might actually hit close to 1350fps.

 

[19-3Ben]

Too bad I don't have a chrono or know someone who does, or I'd go try it out tomorrow morning!!!