Is Speer Short barrel ammo just a gimmick?

[evsmech]

I often wondered if there has been any scientific studies of the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel loads and how they perform in ordnance gelatin compared to their standard brethren. Is there hard facts to back up their claim for performing better out of short barrels? If so, why? Is it due to lighter constructed bullets that expand much easier? Or is this simply a gimmick by ATK to sell more product?

[black22rifle]

they have a wider cavity to help with expansion due to a slower velocity. it's in speer's reloading manual.

[DocGKR]

The 9 mm is identical--the other calibers have modifications. Keep in mind the standard GD already work very well from 3.5 to 5" barrels...

[Shawn.L]

they have a wider cavity to help with expansion due to a slower velocity. it's in speer's reloading manual.

for the 9mm?

The 9 mm is identical--the other calibers have modifications. Keep in mind the standard GD already work very well from 3.5 to 5" barrels...

so identical in all ways then ?

I know I have shot the SB GD 9mm at night and it seemed like it had less flash, but for all I know thats just the power of suggestion.

[S. Galbraith]

Doc is right. The 9mm uses the same bullet between short barrel, standard velocity, and +P. The 9mm has a smaller charge than .40, .357sig, or .45acp......so it can handle shorter barrels better. The more powerful calibers lose too much burn time with short barrels, thus they need a little modification to the bullet to help with expansion.

To the OP, if you have a 9mm/.40/.357 with a barrel that is shorter than 3.5", then you would probably be better off with short barrel ammo. If you have a .45acp with a barrel length shorter than 4", then you'd also benefit from the short barrel ammo.

[El Cid]

While we are on the subject of "short barrel" loads... How does the Barnes X 45ACP in 160gr perform? It was enough of a paradigm shift for me to buy the 185gr since I was raised to believe 230 was the only way to fly. Thanks!

[black22rifle]

it says

standard handgun ammunition designed for full-sized hand guns produces less velocity in very short barrels, handicapping the performance of many bullet designs. gold dot shot barrel bullets have wide tips and deep cavities- more cavity volume means full expansion at velocities that challenge conventional bullets,

it doesn't mention anything about 9mm, just SB bullets in general.

for 40 and 45 caliber semi auto pistol cartridges, short barrel bullets are standard weights for reliable function, but have large cylindrical cavities that mean excellent terminal performance in today's sub compact handguns

[RyanB]

In .38/.357 it really makes sense.

[Alaskapopo]

Doc is right. The 9mm uses the same bullet between short barrel, standard velocity, and +P. The 9mm has a smaller charge than .40, .357sig, or .45acp......so it can handle shorter barrels better. The more powerful calibers lose too much burn time with short barrels, thus they need a little modification to the bullet to help with expansion.

To the OP, if you have a 9mm/.40/.357 with a barrel that is shorter than 3.5", then you would probably be better off with short barrel ammo. If you have a .45acp with a barrel length shorter than 4", then you'd also benefit from the short barrel ammo.

That is not quite true.

In fact the powder charge is very simular when using the same types of powder. What matters more is the burn rate and the 9/mm/40/357 sig,45 for the most part all use faster buring powders and speed loss in the short barrels is there but not huge. Not as much as say a .357 mag loaded with slow burdning powder. People overstate the need for different ammo in shorter barrel guns. Unless your shooting a .38 snub there is really not need.
Pat