[RWK]

With full recognition that there are MANY recognized, outstanding personal defense rounds, designs and manufacturers, I ask your thoughts concerning CorBon versus Speer Gold Dot for major revolver calibers such as .357 magnum, .41 magnum and .45 (Long) Colt. Thanks.

[Preacherman]

In standard revolver calibers, I would think that either manufacturer would produce a good round. I give Cor-Bon the edge when it comes to pushing velocities on older calibers like .44 Special. Their 165gr. JHP at 1,150 fps is a very "warm" load for the caliber, much more so than produced by most other manufacturers, and "street" results with it are almost as impressive, on a case-by-case basis, as the .357 Magnum. I think that in such calibers (including .44 Special and .45 Colt), "main-line" manufacturers like Speer are content to restrict themselves to what everyone else has done. Kudos to Cor-Bon for "pushing the envelope".

[Jim March]

The Gold Dot projectile is, in my opinion, a better slug than most of the Cor-Bons with the exception of the Pow'R'Ball.

One consideration: Gold Dots are being loaded pretty hot at Georgia Arms. And you can have Weshoot2 at Gray Area go absolutely psycho with 'em in a strong gun :D.

Still, the extreme energy levels of some of the Cor-Bons put them ahead...44Spls (as long as the gun is stronger than a Charter Bulldog) and 2" barrel 357s are good examples. Probably the 200grain 45LC defense load too.

But, with a longer barrelled 357, I'd run a 158 Gold Dot by GA or ProLoad, maybe Black Hills.

Neither one completely dominates all calibers. IF Cor-Bon can adapt the Pow'R'Ball to other calibers successfully, they may indeed become THE answer.

[Andrew Wyatt]

IF Cor-Bon can adapt the Pow'R'Ball to other calibers successfully, they may indeed become THE answer.


The corbon strikes me somewhat like using a 300 weatherby on elephant. sure, it goes fast and tears up things, but it doesn't necessarily tear up the right things.

for me, a 230 grain JHP that expands and penetrates seems about ideal.


dad swears by standard pressure 185 grain loads, and the local PD has had good success in all their shootings with them.


I just don't see any improvement over a normal, full weight hollowpoint besides easier feeding.

[Tamara]

Do you mean Gold Dot the bullet type, or Gold Dot the Speer loaded ammo brand?

[zeke]

While the Powerball and other designs are greatly increasing reliable expansion, am also in the mind of preferring a heavier bullet with more controlled expansion. Have been experimenting (highly unscientific)with filling some Gold Dot (44 special and 45 acp) hollowpoints with silicone. Have also tried annealing the lead inside of the bullets. Expansion appears much more reliable, without having to resort to light weights and higher velocities.

[RWK]

Tamara – and it is so nice to be back in communications with you – in this particular thread I am addressing Speer loaded Gold Dots versus CorBon.

The driving reason for the question is simple: a couple months ago, I bought a superb, NIB Smith 625-9 Mountain Gun (in .45 Colt). I am truly happy with it. It is a simply great revolver – a “toss up” with my 30+ year old, P&R’ed 27-2, for outstanding quality, for beauty, and for durability, reliability, and accuracy. The SA trigger is plainly THE BEST I have ever shot.

I am able to carry and conceal it well (thank you, de Santis), but I am concerned about “overly hot” loads. Therefore, I want to find the most effective STANDARD PRESSURE .45 Colt round. Most top-rated .45 Colt JHPs (Silvertip is a good example) offer .45 ACP-like performance, with ~900 FPS muzzle velocity. CorBon, however, makes an excellent (non +P) 200 grain .45 Colt round that provides ~1100 FPS performance.

So, do I continue to carry the CorBon load (a good projectile, but not a Gold Dot), do a switch to a Speer Gold Dot, or perhaps to a Georgia Arms loaded Gold Dot?

Warmest regards -- Roy

[Jim March]

What's your barrel length?

Because out of a 2" or 3", I think I'd say with the Cor-Bon 200 to retain enough velocity. At 4" or so, the various "45ACP clone in a 45LC" rounds will perform very well. In that case, I'd probably run the ProLoad based on the 230grain Gold Dot.

[RWK]

Jim,

Wonderful to be back in contact with you, too, sir. Hope all is very well. My .45 Colt is a Smith 625-9 Mountain Gun, with the standard four-inch tapered barrel.

Best and thank you -- Roy

[Jim March]

Ya, in that case, any of the better 230grain Gold Dots should work great.

We know from the 45ACP world that that projectile needs around 850+ to work. It sometimes fails out of a 3" mini-1911 barrel. A 4" wheelgun generally gives you the ballistics of a 5" slidegun barrel, due to the extra length on the cylinder bore...so long as your barrel/cylinder gap isn't too crazy (as in, beyond .005" or .006"ish).

The Cor-Bon might have more energy but for predictable expansion regardless of hard-point hits early on the target, Gold Dots rock. I'd probably use Pro-Load's variant, as it's a standard catalog item. Georgia Arms doesn't list 45LC in their "premium defense line" page:

http://www.georgia-arms.com

...but I've heard they do up limited runs. You could call and ask. ProLoad's listed velocity is right at the minimum (900fps, but from a 7" barrel - assume you'll pull 825ish maybe?); they're well known for accuracy but not for max energy numbers...then again, they're probably going fast enough, barely, so if you use ProLoad you're putting the minimum possible stress on the gun.

[zeke]

believe Speer now makes a 45 LC load with 250 gn Gold Dot, specifically designed to work at older colt pressures and lower velocity. They also sell these bullets seperate.

[Mannlicher]

I have used Gold Dots in .357, and I use CorBon in .44 Mag, and .45 Colt. I really dont think one has an edge over the other, but these shoot best for me in these calibers.

[schapman43]

I carry the Speer Gold Dots exclusively for self defense.

[Tamara]

Heck, if you're not concerned about reloading, you could go to the CCI Blazer Gold Dot load (CCI and Speer are the same company... ;) )

[RWK]

Jim,

FYI, I just (a couple months ago) bought 300 rounds of Georgia Arms 260 grain .45 Colt Gold Dots. You are right, they are cataloged under “pistol ammunition (http://www.georgia-arms.com/pistol.htm), not “canned heat”. However, I figure a 260 grain Gold Dot projectile at anything over 850 FPS muzzle velocity should be darn effective.

Best regards -- Roy

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Roy- And Welcome Back My Friend!

To be perfectly honest, I've never shot either Cor-Bon
or Speer Gold Dot's from a revolver; relying instead on
Federal "Hydra-Shok's" exclusively. But, from what I've
witnessed, heard, and read I think a very slight edge
would be in favor of the Gold Dot's.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[RWK]

Dan,

Every time is see UT orange, I think of you.

All the best -- Roy

[Ala Dan]

Thanks for the thought's and kind word's Roy!

As you know, this Saturday 20 SEPT 03 UT
will be in a SHOOT OUT in the swamp!


GO BIG ORANGE !

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Sean Smith]

I preference is Gold Dots loaded by Pro Load.