Wheel Gun Gold! Speer Gold Dot .38 Special +P Ballistic Gel Test With the Taurus 856 & 608!

Published on July 3, 2022
Duration: 10:41

This video details a ballistic gel test of Speer Gold Dot .38 Special +P 135-grain ammunition fired from two Taurus revolvers: a 2-inch barrel Taurus 856 and a 4-inch ported barrel Taurus 608. The test measures velocity, penetration, expansion, and material loss, providing insights into the ammunition's performance across different barrel lengths. The presenter notes that while expansion was excellent, the velocity did not significantly exceed standard pressure loads, questioning the 'plus P' designation.

Quick Summary

The Speer Gold Dot .38 Special +P 135gr ammunition achieved excellent expansion (around 0.55 inches) and adequate penetration (13.75-14 inches) in ballistic gel tests. Fired from a Taurus 856 (2") and 608 (4"), velocities were 852 fps and 940 fps respectively. The presenter questioned if the load truly represented '+P' pressure due to velocities.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Test Setup
  2. 00:35Ammunition: Speer Gold Dot .38 Spl +P 135gr
  3. 00:54Firearms: Taurus 856 (2") & Taurus 608 (4")
  4. 01:35Taurus 856 Chronograph Readings
  5. 02:09Taurus 608 Chronograph Readings
  6. 03:12Ballistic Gel Test: Taurus 856 Shot
  7. 03:51Ballistic Gel Test: Taurus 608 Shot
  8. 04:14Gel Test Results: Wound Channels & Penetration
  9. 07:00Projectile Recovery & Expansion Analysis
  10. 07:32Material Loss & Projectile Weight Check
  11. 07:57Expansion Measurements
  12. 08:19Conclusion & Performance Summary
  13. 09:06Debate on +P Designation
  14. 10:26Final Thoughts & Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the average velocities for Speer Gold Dot .38 Special +P 135gr from the Taurus 856 and 608?

The Speer Gold Dot .38 Special +P 135gr ammunition averaged 852 feet per second from the 2-inch barrel Taurus 856 and 940 feet per second from the 4-inch barrel Taurus 608. This represents an 88 fps difference between the two barrel lengths.

How did the Speer Gold Dot .38 Special +P 135gr perform in terms of penetration and expansion?

In ballistic gel, the ammunition achieved approximately 13.75 to 14 inches of penetration. Expansion was excellent, with recovered projectiles measuring around 0.55 inches in diameter, indicating robust performance for self-defense applications.

Does the Speer Gold Dot .38 Special +P 135gr perform like a true +P load?

The presenter noted that the velocities achieved did not significantly exceed standard pressure loads, leading to a question about whether this specific load truly represents a '+P' pressure level. However, its expansion and penetration were considered adequate.

What are the key differences in performance between the Taurus 856 and 608 when firing .38 Special +P?

The 4-inch barrel of the Taurus 608 yielded higher velocity and slightly more penetration compared to the 2-inch barrel of the Taurus 856. However, both revolvers demonstrated comparable bullet expansion and no material loss from the projectile.

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