View Full Version : DocGKR, question about Speer Gold Dot 55gr 5.56
http://le.atk.com/pdf/223RifleDataBook.pdf
Doc, I know that this particular load is on your recommended list. However, I noticed in the ATK rifle data book( link above) that contains ballistic gel tests on this load, their testing shows the 5.56 55 gr Gold Dot does not meet the 12" minimum in the auto glass test. According to their results it only went 7.5" and suffered major weight loss, only retaining approx 15 grains. Have you tested this load yourself with better results or have seen other successful tests that caused you to put it on the list?
My interest in this particular round stems from that I am looking for a change for my new police department. Our current duty round is Win ranger 55 gr ballistic tip. I have already voiced my concern with this round, especially for patrol. Thankfully I work for a progressive department that actually listens to their people on the front lines. They are willing to change. The gold dot rifle ammo seems like a great blend of performance and price and wanted to include the 55gr gold dot on my short list. But its performance against auto glass appears questionable according to this data, otherwise it looks GTG. We have both 1x7 and 1x9 twist rifles in our cruisers, so I need a round that stabilizes in both. Of course the TBBC and the 50 gr TSX are tops but as we all know they're more expensive too.
Thanks for your input.
Am I reaching on this round, Doc?
Its performance against auto glass leaves a lot to be desired based on ATK's results. Based on the lack of other feedback and information on this round, I think I should I just present the Fed 62 gr 5.56/.223 TBBC, Win bonded 64gr 5.56, BH 50gr TSX, or Speer 64gr .223 as the way to go. I just really think my new department needs to ditch the 55gr ballistic tip we are currently using.
The FBI dumped a lot of time and money into testing ammo. I would think you could get a copy of that study to piggyback their research.
Most of the Gold Dot rounds that are mentioned here is the 64g. I would go with that one, as it seems, from what I read on here, to be an excellent barrier blind load. I have quite a bit of the 5.56 version which has been discontinued. I havent read anything about the 55g loading.
How well any bullet performs is influenced by many factors. The 5.56 mm Fed 62 gr TBBC and Win 64 gr bonded, along with the BH 50 gr TSX would be ideal loads for 1/7 and 1/9 twist weapons. However, the current cost to non-Fed LE agencies is substantially higher than for Gold Dots--as such, many agencies find the 55 and 64 gr GD's a good option for the price.
ANY of these choices will be superior to a 55 gr ballistic tip varmint round...
The 5.56 mm 55 gr Gold Dot is a good option for agencies running 1033 program 1/12 twist M16A1's, as are the 55 gr TBBC and 50 gr TSX.
Below is some additional ATK data from a different test:
5.56mm Fed 55 grain LE223T1 TBBC JSP projectile from a 10” Barrel at 2756 fps:
Auto Glass: Pen = 14.7”, RD = 0.33", RW = 61%
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6106/6231238265_06a8e4cf85_b.jpg
5.56mm Speer 55 grain Gold Dot JSP projectile from a 10” Barrel at 2740 fps:
Auto Glass: Pen = 11.8”, RD = 0.40", RW = 55%
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6231758538_be4cd652eb_b.jpg
Leatherneck556
10-11-11, 05:55
Doc, something I'm wondering about is how far out/down to what velocity the various recommended bonded 5.56/.223 loads will reliably expand in tissue.
What velocities do TBBC/Gold Dot/Fusion/etc reliably expand at? What velocity does Mk318's lead portion reliably fragment at?
Good question. I have no idea. Someone will need to fund and perform gel test shots at different impact velocities/distances to determine that information. I can say that all the barrier blind loads listed in the second paragraph here: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19881, seem to work well at 100 yds, even out of a 10.5" barrel Mk18. Mk318 keeps working pretty well, even out to 300 yds when fired from a 20" barrel M16A4.
Good question. I have no idea. Someone will need to fund and perform gel test shots at different impact velocities/distances to determine that information. I can say that all the barrier blind loads listed in the second paragraph here: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19881, seem to work well at 100 yds, even out of a 10.5" barrel Mk18. Mk318 keeps working pretty well, even out to 300 yds when fired from a 20" barrel M16A4.
What does the MK 318 projectile look like after impacting a target (human/gel) at 100 yards when fired from the MK18?
Did some informal testing today. Fired both Gold Dot loads and a variety of other rounds thru 2 Toyota truck tail gates separated by 1" air gap and then into 2.5 gallon water jugs. Range was 25 yards.
55 grain Gold Dot broke up into small pieces in the first water jug.
64 grain Gold Dot held together and came to rest in the second water jug.
Best of the day was a Federal load with Barnes 55 gr TSX. Bullet retained it's cylindrical shape and came to rest in the 3rd water jug.
Interestingly a 7.62x51 ball round (German GGG) disintegrated in the first water jug after penetrating the tail gates.
vicious_cb
03-29-12, 20:31
What barrel length were you using for the test?
What barrel length were you using for the test?
16" BCM 1/7
http://le.atk.com/pdf/223RifleDataBook.pdf
Doc, I know that this particular load is on your recommended list. However, I noticed in the ATK rifle data book( link above) that contains ballistic gel tests on this load, their testing shows the 5.56 55 gr Gold Dot does not meet the 12" minimum in the auto glass test. According to their results it only went 7.5" and suffered major weight loss, only retaining approx 15 grains. Have you tested this load yourself with better results or have seen other successful tests that caused you to put it on the list?
My interest in this particular round stems from that I am looking for a change for my new police department. Our current duty round is Win ranger 55 gr ballistic tip. I have already voiced my concern with this round, especially for patrol. Thankfully I work for a progressive department that actually listens to their people on the front lines. They are willing to change. The gold dot rifle ammo seems like a great blend of performance and price and wanted to include the 55gr gold dot on my short list. But its performance against auto glass appears questionable according to this data, otherwise it looks GTG. We have both 1x7 and 1x9 twist rifles in our cruisers, so I need a round that stabilizes in both. Of course the TBBC and the 50 gr TSX are tops but as we all know they're more expensive too.
Thanks for your input.
I believe if you test the 64 grain Gold Dot in your 1 in 9 barrels, I think you'll see it will perform well. I even watched it demoed in some old A1's and it shot just fine.
5.56mm Gold Dot fired into water.
http://fototime.com/B7D6D0256E51907/standard.jpg
http://fototime.com/526AAE53DF9095B/standard.jpg
Great to see that the 55gr Gold Dot did better in the testing Doc found. Still can't find either the 55 or 64gr loads at any local PD distributors. Federal or Winchester .223/5.56 bonded JSP's are the ones available, which is obviously still good. Winchester 5.56 64gr bonded JSP is on state contract and available for $180 IIRC for a case of 200 rounds. This appears to be the round of choice when we do the next ammo order later this year.
Great to see that the 55gr Gold Dot did better in Doc's testing over ATK's testing. Still hard to find either one at any local PD distributors. Federal or Winchester .223/5.56 bonded JSP's are the ones available which is obviously still good. Winchester 5.56 64gr bonded JSP is on state contract and available for $180 IIRC for a case of 200 rounds. This appears to be the round of choice when we do the next ammo order later this year.
We have the 55gr 5.56 in stock!
C4
We have the 55gr 5.56 in stock!
C4
Thanks Grant. I'll definitely throw your company into the mix. There's a couple local distributers that most PD's buy from, so it might be hard for some to look beyond what they know.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.