Do You REALLY Need Short Barrel AMMO?...Gold Dot Standard vs Short Barrel .45 ACP Test!

Published on July 12, 2024
Duration: 14:44

This video tests Speer Gold Dot 230-grain .45 ACP ammunition, comparing standard and short-barrel loads. The instructor, with experience in ballistics testing, found both ammunition types performed nearly identically in gel tests, achieving 17.5 inches of penetration and significant expansion. While minor differences in projectile design and expansion were noted, the overall performance was comparable, suggesting the standard load is a more cost-effective choice.

Quick Summary

Speer Gold Dot 230-grain .45 ACP ammunition, both standard and short-barrel variants, demonstrated nearly identical performance in ballistic gel tests, achieving 17.5 inches of penetration and significant expansion. While the standard load showed better velocity consistency, the overall effectiveness was comparable, making the standard option a potentially more cost-effective choice.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Setup
  2. 00:43Ammunition Overview: Gold Dot Standard vs. Short Barrel
  3. 01:33Manufacturer Ballistic Claims
  4. 03:06Velocity Testing: Standard Gold Dot
  5. 04:45Velocity Testing: Short Barrel Gold Dot
  6. 06:15Ballistic Gel Test: Standard Gold Dot
  7. 06:54Ballistic Gel Test: Short Barrel Gold Dot
  8. 07:30Gel Test Results Analysis
  9. 09:37Close-up Projectile Examination
  10. 10:30Projectile Analysis: Expansion and Design Differences
  11. 11:42Weight and Size Measurements
  12. 12:28Conclusion: Standard vs. Short Barrel Performance
  13. 13:14Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between Speer Gold Dot standard and short-barrel .45 ACP ammunition?

The primary physical difference noted is the primer size (large for standard, small for short barrel) and a slight variation in projectile cavity design. The short-barrel variant has a shallower, flatter cavity, while the standard has a deeper V-shaped cavity, influencing expansion characteristics.

How did Speer Gold Dot 230-grain .45 ACP perform in ballistic gel tests?

Both the standard and short-barrel 230-grain Speer Gold Dot .45 ACP ammunition performed exceptionally well, achieving 17.5 inches of penetration in ballistic gel and demonstrating significant expansion. The standard load showed slightly better velocity consistency.

Is Speer Gold Dot short-barrel ammunition necessary for handguns with shorter barrels?

Based on this test, the instructor found that the standard Speer Gold Dot 230-grain .45 ACP performed nearly identically to the short-barrel version. Therefore, for this specific caliber and weight, the short-barrel designation may not be essential for achieving comparable performance.

What were the average velocities recorded for Speer Gold Dot 230-grain .45 ACP from a 3.8-inch barrel?

The standard 230-grain Gold Dot averaged 819 ft/s, while the short-barrel variant averaged 811 ft/s when fired from a 3.8-inch barrel. The standard load exhibited better consistency in its velocity readings.

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