Self Defense Handload Bullets

[Charlie98]

"Deep curl" I believe is more marketed toward hunting.

Correct. I don't see Speer dumping the GoldDot name, it has as much brand recognition as HydraShok (Federal,) and, notoriously, BlackTalon (Winchester.) The GoldDot name continues on in their rifle line as well... for bullets intended for defense (or tactical) use.

GoldDot handgun bullets are plated/bonded... they also have their own specific loading data as provided by Speer.

Come to think about it, Speer doesn't put much of what they are suited for printed on their boxes.

Speer has tricky names for their bullets that are, basically, a description of what they are intended for. I'mma guess their 'Varmint' bullets are intended for, uh, varmint shooting, etc, etc.

 

[Palladan44]

Speer has tricky names for their bullets that are, basically, a description of what they are intended for. I'mma guess their 'Varmint' bullets are intended for, uh, varmint shooting, etc, etc.

ok, but what does "Gold Dot" or "Deep curl" actually mean?
I did notice that some .357 caliber 158gr deepcurls I have laying around collecting dust say HUNTING on them now that I look.

 

[Charlie98]

ok, but what does "Gold Dot" or "Deep curl" actually mean?

Most people understand that the GoldDot is a defensive bullet... by looking at the loaded ammuntion Speer offers, and by what it says on the box under the words "Gold Dot." DeepCurl tells me the bullet is designed to mushroom... and that word 'Hunting' right below it confirms that.

 

[GW Staar]

Back to the scuttle butt (Speer only says what's on their boxes) but we all know there's more than a little negative talk about reloading self defense ammo, and that we supposedly ought to buy and load Gold Dot and the like factory ammo for the "liability" issues. (Never mind the fact that I've never seen one news article in my life about anyone actually being hurt by such in a court case...but none the less there is that argument (that I personally ignore) against loading your own SD ammo.

So therefore Speer might be forgiven if they created the "Deep Curl Hunting" bullet name to sell to the more sensitive? reloaders who might otherwise be nervous about loading Gold Dots. Scuttle butt because you don't think Speer would admit to such do you? They have lawyers too.

I agree, the "Gold Dot" name will stay. But all I'm saying is, Speer may now have given themselves the option to use it for just the "factory ammo"...... and reloaders eventually may have to settle for the "Deep Curl" name.

 

[Palladan44]

I tried testing my hollow point hand loads for expansion.

For a target I soaked phone books in water. I then sandwiched the waterlogged books in between plastic 1 gallon jugs of water. The bullet would then go through a water jug, a phone book, another water jug and then into another phone book. All the bullets stopped here although I had more water jugs behind this last phone book.

The bullets I'm handloading with are Hornady XTP. Here's the results.
This first picture is 9mm and 44 Mag XTP bullets.
View attachment 1150636

Here's another picture of the 9 mm. View attachment 1150637


Here's 357 Magnum and 45 ACP
View attachment 1150638
I also tried factory ammo: Federal Hydra-Shok and Speer Gold Dot. Both of these are in 45 ACP.

This next 2 pictures are 230 grain Federal Hydra-Shok

View attachment 1150639 View attachment 1150645​

And these are 200 grain Speer Gold Dot. These things really expand!

View attachment 1150646 View attachment 1150647 View attachment 1150648​

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Speer sells the Gold Dot bullets for reloading.

Here's the speed and expansion of these bullets:

View attachment 1150649
​

I did this just out of curiosity. If I was only concerned about self defense and performance I'd just buy Speer Gold Dot factory ammo. But I enjoy handloading and testing the results.

OP- I also can suggest checking American Reloading.com under category Projectiles.....the have pulled bullets from many types of military, LE, government conttact or overseas loads, and many of them are what you could NEVER be able to purchase as a projectile only. .....a few for example.....
Since many of these are proprietary "Ammo only" bullets, there is little if any data for these specific bullets. So improvise and start low....

 

[Charlie98]

So therefore Speer might be forgiven if they created the "Deep Curl Hunting" bullet name to sell to the more sensitive? reloaders who might otherwise be nervous about loading Gold Dots.

I think the big difference is the construction. I believe the DeepCurls are jacketed bullets, GoldDots are plated.

 

[Palladan44]

I think the big difference is the construction. I believe the DeepCurls are jacketed bullets, GoldDots are plated.

Makes sense. Tends to be less shooting through drywall, auto glass, etc. when I'm out chasing Whitetail......most of the time anyways...

 

[Shivahasagun]

I think the big difference is the construction. I believe the DeepCurls are jacketed bullets, GoldDots are plated.

Gold Dots are a bonded jacket.

They do NOT come apart unless seriously over-driven. (Ex. 115 gr +p+ @1350 fps MIGHT shed some weight)

 

[NMexJim]

 

[Charlie98]

Gold Dots are a bonded jacket.

Because I read the same thing as Jim just posted... I assumed 'bond the jacket to the core one molecule at a time' meant plated. That is not the same description they use for their DeepCurls...

 

[NMexJim]

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

View attachment 1151307 View attachment 1151308

Previous post says molecule, this one says atom. Do you have a snippet that says quantum particle?
Does either post actually answer the question?

 

[GW Staar]

Previous post says molecule, this one says atom. Do you have a snippet that says quantum particle?
Does either post actually answer the question?

It's called advertising.....don't you suppose the process of electrolysis used in Berrys Bullets also does similar interesting things at the atomic level?
"Electrochemical process bonds the jacket to the core" (deep curl)
"Gold Dots exclusive manufacturing process bonds the uniform jacket to the core 1 atom at a time"

Two ways of saying the same thing. Electrolysis. Now there IS a difference in how long you do it and how thick the jacket becomes. That's the difference between regular Berry's bullets and the newer self defense/ hunting version. And there certainly CAN be a difference in the core design it goes on, especially the "petal design" that expands or curls.....whatever you want to call it.

Lastly, self defense or hunting, they both do the same thing.....they expand like hell so that they stop the animal.....two legged or four legged.

I do like the new deep curl name......sounds mysterious and ominous, where Gold Dot might be a little tame now days.

I mean Berry's could have named theirs "GoldStar" after seeing this picture.....
But that's not cool even if it looks cool. About as interesting as the silver dot in the middle......Now Deep Curl is way more ominous sounding. But Hybrid Hollowpoint?......Speer has more imagination for sure.