Ammo for 9mm: Gold Dot 115gr +P+ or ...

[Pipper]

I'm looking to buy a case of 9mm hollow point ammo, and I was needing opinions. I'm looking at the Speer Gold Dot +P+ 115gr vs the Federal LE Tactical HST 124gr. I've been buying 40 cal and 45ACP until I recently got a 9mm, so I'm not well versed in 9mm needs. I'll be using it in a S&W M&P or a Springfield Armory XDm. The Gold Dot costs about $45 more for a case of 500 rounds.

I appreciate all suggestions.

[terpdx]

Take a look through this thread:

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=316950

[KUHIO]

I cannot comment about the federal (never shot it), but gold dot is great stuff.

[Shadi Khalil]

The Gold dot is good..I have finally settled on Cor-bon 115gr +P.

[WC145]

IMO, it's a coin toss. They're both excellent loads, I'd probably go with the Federals and save the $45.

[ChicagoTex]

I carry 124gr +P Gold Dots. Like Goldilocks, I feel the 124gr is "just right" between the too light 115 and the too heavy 147gr. I shoot +P because I refuse to shoot non-saami spec cartridges in my guns, I'm probably paranoid, but I don't feel the extra 50-70fps or so is worth the risk.

P.S. Read nothing but good things about HSTs and wouldn't hesitate to carry them, but I've been doing Gold Dots for a while and they're generally a bit easier to find at most gun shops.

[scorpiusdeus]

I carry Double Tap using Gold Dots in all my guns. I've feed a minimum of 1000 very expensive rounds through each gun before I consider using it for defense.

I tend tend to prefer a medium weight as well, so I'd concur with the 124gr.

[pogo2]

I tend to favor the 9mm Federal HST in 147 grain bullet weight, which is a standard pressure round. I became interested in 147 grain after looking at comparative gelatin tests on the Federal HST and Winchester Ranger law enforcement websites. It seemed to me that the 147 grain standard pressure 9mm penetrated deeper and expanded more than the lighter weight, higher velocity +P or +P+ rounds.

I am more impressed by gelatin tests than muzzle energy because gelatin tests actually simulate what happens to the target, which is the reason for shooting in self defense. I noticed that higher energy coming out of the barrel didn't seem to correlate with gelatin test data, so I decided that I was looking at the wrong variable in considering energy.

The 147 grain 9mm HST penetrated about 13.5 inches and expanded to 0.77 inches in the gel tests I saw. The Winchester Ranger 147 grain was almost as good. And I like the idea of using standard pressure rounds, which are easier on the gun.

[KyJim]

I would try a box of each with the particular gun you buy before investing in a lot of ammo. Both will likely function okay in the gun but you never know for sure. Plus, one might be more accurate in a particular gun. Having said all that, I would also stay away from +P+ ammo. You don't need it in a 9mm as even standard 9mm ammo zips along fast enough to expand reliably. I use Gold Dots in several of my handguns and like it but have never tried the HSTs.

[ChicagoTex]

I've feed a minimum of 1000 very expensive rounds through each gun before I consider using it for defense.

That strikes me as extreme overkill but hey, if you can afford it, I'll bet you've got a confidence between your gun and carry round few can match!

[TacticalDefense1911]

I became interested in 147 grain after looking at comparative gelatin tests on the Federal HST and Winchester Ranger law enforcement websites. It seemed to me that the 147 grain standard pressure 9mm penetrated deeper and expanded more than the lighter weight, higher velocity +P or +P+ rounds.

The 124 gr. +P HST load has 396 ftlbs of muzzle energy while the 147 gr. load has 326 ftlbs from the same length barrel. Energy is the bullets ability to do work; if the 147 grain load were to penetrate deeper than the 124 grain load it is due to the rate of the bullets expansion. 147 grain loads are generally "late" expansion loads; their expansion begin later in their penetration than lighter loads which typically expand very early in penetration. This explains how the 147 grain load penetrated deeper with less energy.

While, "when the bullet begins expansion" may sound trivial, it can make a profound difference in the volume of soft tissue damage. Personally, I prefer lighter 124 grain loads for this reason. Its all a personal choice; there are no super bullets out there

[PointOneSeven]

And I like the 115's . Truthfully, any of the serious, modern HP rounds should do the job.

I would also +1 avoiding +P+ rounds, and agree 147 grainers in a longer barrel offer some punch if you're looking for penetration.

[David the Gnome]

I carry Speer Gold Dots in 124gr +P in all my 9mm's.

[thug23]

Practice with anything I can find.....CARRY FEDERAL LE HST 147gr.

[jaydubya]

My Browning High Power is loaded with Speer 124gr Gold Dot. Because it is forty years old, I use the standard pressure version. As Stephen Camp told me, this is the issue ammo for the New York Transit Police (the NYPD uses the +p version). If I had a newer version, I would use +p, but I am not unhappy with this load. Comfortable to shoot.

Cordially, Jack

[chunk]

gold dot's rock

[Keltyke]

From the gel tests I've seen, Corbon wins hands down. I prefer Corbon 115 gr. DPX. ANY modern JHP will do the job.

[KCabbage]

I have read various accounts and test of people running thousands and thousands of +P+ rounds through pistols not meant for +P+. Two of the models that I remember well are the S&W 6906 and a Beretta 92/M9 which are both alloy frame guns that specifically warn not to shoot +P+ through their pistols.
I myself was very skeptical about shooting +P+ through my now sold Beretta 92 compact, but after reading the test done on the 92 or M9(I can't remember) I felt totally at ease.
Let me add this, most if not all of the top performing 9mm loads are +P and +P+.
Take care

[qwert.380]

I use 147 HST they are accurate out of my glock 19 and I thought they were well priced. I paid 46$ for 100 of them delivered to my door from ammunitiontogo.com.

[sundance43.5]

Federal's HST has some of the best ballistics results for any caliber that it's made in. The Gold Dot is also good, but forms a rounded profile when it expands, whereas the HST looks very nasty and jagged.

[kymasabe]

I don't go for all the +P hype. I want control and accurate shot placement, not additional recoil and over-penetration.

[Pipper]

Thanks for all of the great info. I went with the Federal LE HST 124gr from ammunitiontogo. Man, they are backed up with orders.

Thanks again!

[KCabbage]

After shooting +P+ for the first time I thought to myself, "this is what all the fuss is about"? I think it's extremely accurate, rapid fire is a cinch, and the extra recoil is barely noticable. That's just me though.

Hype? Come on now

Yes they are backed up. I used to receive my order in 3 days. Now their site says 10-15 People have gone gun and ammo crazy since Obama was elected.

[razorburn]

I don't go for all the +P hype. I want control and accurate shot placement, not additional recoil and over-penetration.

Well, even the +p still has less recoil and penetration than a .40, and a lot of people would prefer to have the .40 if it actually came to a self defense shooting. But not at the range. So I like to try to get the best of both worlds with the cheaper standard 9mm at the range, and double tap +p to get near .40 or .357 sig level ballistics when I carry.

[pogo2]

Tacticaldefense1911 said:

The 124 gr. +P HST load has 396 ftlbs of muzzle energy while the 147 gr. load has 326 ftlbs from the same length barrel. Energy is the bullets ability to do work; if the 147 grain load were to penetrate deeper than the 124 grain load it is due to the rate of the bullets expansion. 147 grain loads are generally "late" expansion loads; their expansion begin later in their penetration than lighter loads which typically expand very early in penetration. This explains how the 147 grain load penetrated deeper with less energy.

While, "when the bullet begins expansion" may sound trivial, it can make a profound difference in the volume of soft tissue damage. Personally, I prefer lighter 124 grain loads for this reason. Its all a personal choice; there are no super bullets out there

Do you have a source that you can link to for the "late expansion" argument? It is somewhat counterintuitive, since the highest velocity the bullet will have is upon entry into the target, and it slows down to zero velocity within 12 inches or so. If the bullet doesn't expand at the highest velocity it has, why would it expand at a lower velocity further into the target?