[IMtheNRA]

They seem to have lower published charges, which leads me to think that they are plated. Is that a correct assumption?

[RyanM]

Gold dots are plated. I'm under the impression that Speer makes nothing but plated bullets in the pistol calibers, anyway.

[CBS220]

The Speer GDHPs are longer than most JHPs due to the deeper cavity in them. Thus, they must be seated deeper to achieve the same OAL and pressures will be a little higher for the load as a result. The charge is typically backed off a little to compensate.

It's the same with Hornady XTPs. At the least, this is what I took from the explanation the Lee manual has.

Don't they use the same process to make the Fusion rifle bullets? If so, I don't know if that counts as plating, or bonding.

[CBS220]

The Speer GDHPs are longer than most JHPs due to the deeper cavity in them. Thus, they must be seated deeper to achieve the same OAL and pressures will be a little higher for the load as a result. The charge is typically backed off a little to compensate.

It's the same with Hornady XTPs. At the least, this is what I took from the explanation the Lee manual has.

Don't they use the same process to make the Fusion rifle bullets? If so, I don't know if that counts as plating, or bonding.

[nitesite]

Gold Dot pistol bullets are jacketed, which may be pure copper or a 90/10 or 95/5 gilding metal.

http://www.speer-bullets.com/default.asp?s1=3&s2=7&s3=6

"Speer Gold Dot®. Using our proven Uni-Cor® technology, we bond the copper jacket to the lead core one molecule at a time. We've virtually wiped out the cause of most bullet failures — core-jacket separation."

The bullet has a fairly long bearing surface, which increases friction and mandates lower powder charges.

[45ACPUSER]

If you email the Speer tech people they will tell you bond means plated, but in a very controlled manner.

[Ben Shepherd]

Kinda both, really. It's a very thick plating basically, from what I've been told.

FWIW:

I've tried to drive them fast enough to cause seperation. Haven't been successful yet. I've caused a grenade type fragmentation a time or two, but never been able to get the jackets to separate.

[rcmodel]

we bond the copper jacket to the lead core one molecule at a time.That sounds like electro-plating to me!

rcmodel

[IMtheNRA]

Thanks to all, now I understand! :)