Looking for a good source of Gold Dot .45 230grn

[QuarterBoreGunner]

After reviewing several threads over on tacticalforums.com I've once again, decided to change out my carry load. I didn't think I'd go back to a 230grn round but the evidence seems to be that in the short barrel of my G30, it will still reliably expand.

It looks like the Speer Gold Dot 230grn is the winner, but I'm having a hard time finding it on line. Anybody have a source?

[Greg45]

Have you tried Cheaper Than Dirt? I know they use to carry it. How about Natchez?

[45R]

Miwall perhaps?

[Sean Smith]

I'd suggest trying Pro Load's 230gr Gold Dot load. IMHO it is better than Speer's own loading with that bullet... more consistent and more accurate.

http://www.proload.com/shoppingcart/default.asp?show_cal=12

[rock jock]

What about Georgia Arms?

[who me]

I get my stuff from Georgia Arms (www.georgia-arms.com) . Good stuff. 230 gr +p is $27 for 100rds.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Proload

Georgia Arms


I've looked at both of these manufacturers and Georgia Arms in particular has some excellent prices; my only concern is from a liability standpoint. The classic line is that you are never supposed to use home brew ammo for self defense- are these manufacturers big enough and is their quality control stringent enough that they avoid this stigma? Are they recognized as quality, high-performance self-defense ammunition makers?

[Jim March]

Right, Black Hills, Georgia Arms and Proload are the the three "premium Gold Dot reloading houses". Bufallo Bore too of late, although they've stuck more with hunting calibers.

GAs are the cheapest and have a good rep. BH and PL are "the creme de la creme" though, and you'll pay accordingly. Match grade stuff.

Edited to add: Chris, I know PL and BH packaging is professional and they both have VERY good reputations. You would not be called to question with that stuff. I don't know what the GA packaging looks like.

You NEED to keep the packaging that came with your defensive ammo...the lot numbers may be crucial to proving "range to target" issues in a shooting as in many cases, the goblin will NOT be armed with a gun but rather a club, knife or the like. Proving distance becomes important, moreso than in the dire circumstances you were in.

Any DA that tried to make an issue out of use of small-ammo-house loads would be seen by the jury as REALLY stretching the point. The only time I could see that happening is if the ammo is specifically listed by the small maker as being "thermonuclear hot"...the Texas Ammo Company's "Express" line would be an example, or some of the Bufallo Bore stuff (357 125grain @ 1,700fps from a handgun, fr'instance).

But PL, GA and BH are NOT in that realm, with the exception of certain specific hunting loads (GA "deerslayer" 357s, etc.). PL and BH in particular are striving for quality and match-grade accuracy without crazy pressures, and BH is well known for their target competition ammo for that reason.

[Jim March]

Chris, found a mail-order source for Black Hills:

http://www.georgiaprecision.com/cart/items/BHHandGun.htm

You might note their 230grain +P (based on the Gold Dot). With 950fps from a 5", you should be able to pull 850ish from a 3.5 and the Gold Dot *will* expand at 850, at least out to 50 yards or whatever...recoil might be a tad psycho but then again...you're an experienced shooter and you KNOW that ammo failure is a potential issue :uhoh:.

This page shows a couple pics of their ammo boxes, as you can see they're as "pro looking" as anything else on the market:

http://www.georgiaprecision.com/cart/items/BH223RemNew.htm

Black Hills doesn't do direct mail-order themselves. Proload does, ditto GA.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Jim, you are truly 'the man'


May I call you 'Obi Wan'?

edit: I see I can pick up some BH .223 there as well. Nice.

[VaughnT]

I buy GA Arms and have been very satisfied with the performance. Accuracy is very good. When my carry ammo gets old, I shoot it off and buy a new batch when the gunshow comes to town. $27/100rnds is a very good price.

As for using a smaller house for your ammo needs, I don't really think GAA qualifies as a small house. Their ammo meets SAAMI spec and they sell tons of the stuff to LEA's, I'm sure. I carry on the job (security officer, armored transport) and don't feel that I'm in any kind of jeopardy for using a quality ammunition, regardless of where it comes from.

[STORMIN29]

I saw a .44 mag load from from Georgia Arms in their product list-G44ME. It was the 200 grain load. Is this a Gold Dot load? I didn't see any specs and I was wondering if it was almost identical to the Pro Load 200 grain load they have on their web site.

[LegalBean]

A good source of Gold Dots loaded by Speer for a reasonable price is at Streicher's Police Equipment. (You don't need to be LEO to order). They sell 230gr .45ACP Gold Dots loaded by Speer for $19.00 per box of 50.

http://www.streichers.com/catalog/categories/index.cfm?action=view_category&cat_id=32

[Jim March]

If the GA website isn't clear as to what's a Gold Dot, call 'em and ask :).