And this is why we test ammunition...Check your gold dots!

[pctechdude]

So today my ammunition arrived, ordered 200 rounds of speer gold dots 185gr standard pressure rounds for use with my 24/7 45 auto. Well first test was fine, 100 rounds down range no stoppages. Then the next test, expansion on water and denim test. Well I knew these were lighter rounds so I knew the expansion wasn't going to be great as heavier rounds. The bare shot penetrated 4 jugs of water and expanded to about .74 inches. The denim test 2 rounds failed to expand sailed through 5 gallons of water and were found downrange in the dirt. The third round expanded and stopped in the fifth jug with an expanded diameter of .65 inches.

Now onto what I have seen with these, if you ordered any of these rounds from Ammunition To Go lately, mainly while they were on sale, the 185 gr rounds I received must be older generations which have a history of failing to expand. The difference between the old generation and current generation is ONE more petal. The old rounds have 6 while the new stock has 7. I have some 200gr +p gold dots to compare them too.

Here are the pictures

First one is a comparison of the old versus the new generation rounds and the second picture is the bare water test, expanded denim, and failed expanded denim rounds.

[pctechdude]

To note the new generation rounds expand better. The 7th petal seems to help a lot and I have yet to have a new generation round fail to expand on any test, including auto glass and a car door. So please check your rounds if you carry these!

[Jake3501]

PCtechDude, I'm probably the one who put you on to those rounds, based on the general positive reports of Gold Dots. That is apparantly the reason for the low price on the rounds. Just make sure you dont shoot any bad guys with them if they are wearing denium jackets. I imagine they would still hurt.

Good report.

[pctechdude]

Jake...I actually bought these for handgun hunting on groundhogs and such around my property so I don't mind, and with the warmer months coming the denim will no longer be an issue really. And yes I will give credit where credit is due, you were the one who turned me on to these. That being said it's just an FYI to others who may use these rounds. Now for me on the home defense and social events I have Federal HST's in 4 magazines and 1 mag worth of 200gr +p gold dots, which have performed flawlessly and expand almost as well as the HST's.

BTW I just wish the Gold Dots were available in 230gr +p's. But oh well, just more wear and tear on my gun.