Speer Gold Dot 64gr 223 Gel Test & Results

**plouffedaddy** · 11-14-12, 16:24

Just finished up the testing of the 223 Speer Gold Dot 64gr soft point round. Here's a summary of the conditions and results.

Test conditions:
-16'' PSA mid-length chrome lined barrel
-70 degrees
-300 feet above sea level
-Test rounds fired from 7 feet
-FBI spec Clear Ballistics gel block (more on this below)
-4 layers of denim

Results:
-2,753 fps average velocity
-1076 ft/lbs energy
-18.5'' penetration
-Maximum expansion measurement: 0.48''
-Minimum expansion measurement: 0.35''
-Retained weight: 54 grains

The manufacture of the gel block, Clear Ballistics, claims their gel meets FBI specs for testing. I calibrate my gel per their specs prior to testing and use 4 layers of denim per IWBA protocol.

However, by no means am I saying this test is a substitute for the great work industry professionals like Dr. Roberts and others do. I'm just a shooter that likes to learn about the products I use.

Here's the video showing the test, the permanent cavity, and a discussion of the results:

64gr 223 Gold Dot HD Video Test Link

**Straight Shooter** · 11-14-12, 16:44

THANK YOU for this. I have a supply of this ammo and was dying to find
a valid test for it. VERY informative, again..thanks.

**ST911** · 11-14-12, 18:13

Originally Posted by Straight Shooter

THANK YOU for this. I have a supply of this ammo and was dying to find
a valid test for it. VERY informative, again..thanks.

http://le.atk.com/ammunition/speer/r....aspx?id=24448

**jstone** · 11-14-12, 19:07

Who is the manufacture of the gel i would like to look into it. I have a bunch of rounds i would like to test.

Do you reload if you do i have been wanting to see the 75 grain amax tested. I know it is a target bullet, but it is being used with great results in larger caliber as a hunting round. Lots of reports state that the amax is performing extremely well on larger game in the 30 cals. So it would be nice just to see what it does even if the gel is not perfect. If what the company claims is true that would be even better.

If you do not reload i could load a few up and send them to you. I could even compensate you for your time. If your interested just pm me.

**WS6** · 11-14-12, 19:10

Thanks! Confirms what I already suspected---this is a GREAT! SBR round.

**jstone** · 11-14-12, 19:13

Double tap somehow another comment posted before my second one.

**jmart** · 11-14-12, 23:17

Originally Posted by jstone

Who is the manufacture of the gel i would like to look into it. I have a bunch of rounds i would like to test.

Do you reload if you do i have been wanting to see the 75 grain amax tested. I know it is a target bullet, but it is being used with great results in larger caliber as a hunting round. Lots of reports state that the amax is performing extremely well on larger game in the 30 cals. So it would be nice just to see what it does even if the gel is not perfect. If what the company claims is true that would be even better.

If you do not reload i could load a few up and send them to you. I could even compensate you for your time. If your interested just pm me.

At least in .223 I think you'll find the A-Max needs to be singly loaded, rendering your AR a SS. Maybe you have a different experience, but that's what I've read from various boards.

Unlike Hornady's 75 BTHPs, I don't think either the 75 or 80 grain A-Max can be loaded to mag length. To keep the catridge OAL short enough, the bullet has to be seated deeply enough to the point the case mouth ends up not contacting the bullet's shank, rather the ogive is seated down too deeply in the case at this point and the case mouth is adjacent to the ogive.

**vicious_cb** · 11-15-12, 00:33

Originally Posted by plouffedaddy

Results:
-2,753 fps average velocity
-1076 ft/lbs energy
-18.5'' penetration
-Maximum expansion measurement: 0.48''
-Minimum expansion measurement: 0.35''
-Retained weight: 54 grains

That seems pretty high. Did speer up the velocity or something? Thats about 200 fps faster than Molon's test.

**WS6** · 11-15-12, 00:35

Originally Posted by vicious_cb

That seems pretty high. Did speer up the velocity or something? Thats about 200 fps faster than Molon's test.

My ammunition ran low 2700's from a 16" carbine and 2500fps from a 10.5" SBR. It is current 2012 production.

**plouffedaddy** · 11-15-12, 12:10

Originally Posted by WS6

My ammunition ran low 2700's from a 16" carbine and 2500fps from a 10.5" SBR. It is current 2012 production.

Several people have reported this to me as well since I posted this video. It seems the current headstamped rounds are a little hotter than their previous versions.

Who is the manufacture of the gel i would like to look into it.

clearballistics.com

If you do not reload i could load a few up and send them to you.

Sorry, but I have a backlog of requests that I'm going to try to test first so it may be a bit before I get to that round.