Golden Saber

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psychophipps

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I'm looking at a defensive load for my new, to me at least, Glock 17 and really like the information I've seen for Remington's Golden Saber line. It's being used by the FBI and if it's good enough for HRT, it's good enough for me.
I do have one question about the loadings they offer, however. I'm using non- +P ammunition as it's a first-gen Glock and wonder if I should be using the 124 or 147-grain loadings. Is there an appreciable difference in penetration with the heavier bullet (mass) vs. the lighter bullet (acceleration)? The info I've seen on various websites is all well and good but it doesn't go into the level of depth I'm looking for here.

Anyone have any experience in this area that they could share with me?
Mark(psycho)Phipps( HAHAHA! )
 
ah... another 124gr vs 147gr war.
I use Rem GS 124gr +P in my 92FS and USP9. works fine.
I think some guy just posted a thread on depth and expansion. Search it.
 
They're both really good. Non-bonded Golden Sabers are probably the best 9mm round out there (the bonded ones fail to expand reliably through heavy clothing). I'd prefer 147 gr ones, but both are good.
 
They don't feed in my 1911.
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Mag problem? Because, in my experience (using a selection of only eleven 1911s from four different manufacturers -- and yes, all the big names), the Golden Saber 185 grain and 230 grain JHPs are overall the most reliable feeding rounds I've used as far as commercial JHPs go ...

As for 9mm, the 124 gr +P are my round of choice, although I've found the 147 grainers to be quite accurate and pleasant to shoot. I'd go with the lighter bullets over the subsonic if penetration is your main concern.
 
I found the 147gr GS to be a little long in OAL and would sometimes get caught against the slide of my Glock 19 on ejection of a live round which made clearing the gun sometimes problematic. They did feed and function fine when fired.
 
I've never warmed to the GS in anything but the 230 grain .45 ACP. In 9mm, if I had the choice, I'd carry one of the following:

Win SXT 127 +P+
Win SXT 124 +P
Speer Gold Dot 124 +P

I'm not sure I'd worry about using a +P or +P+ load in any Glock.

Regards,

Kevin
 
All divisions, of all departments, of all branches of law enforcement use ALL of the popular hollow points. Gold Dot, Golden Saber, Hornady XTP, Hornady TAP, Hydrashok, Ranger SXT, etc.

What they use on any given day is what was available and affordable to them in bulk at the time of purchase.

The first rule of a gunfight is to have a gun. What ammo you load it with is what you are comfortable with. You are guaranteed to find hardcore faithful followers of every brand and type of ammunition by asking that question on an internet forum.
 
asknight said:
All divisions, of all departments, of all branches of law enforcement use ALL of the popular hollow points. Gold Dot, Golden Saber, Hornady XTP, Hornady TAP, Hydrashok, Ranger SXT, etc.

What they use on any given day is what was available and affordable to them in bulk at the time of purchase.
Click to expand...

Not sure where you get your info, but the FBI currently uses Gold Dots and nothing else in handgun calibers.
 
Im shooting Hornady Tap and Speer gold dots. I did an expantion test on them and they expanded perfectly everytime... and they feed well through my xd-45 so im happy. You should give them a try. The hornady are pretty much on backorder EVERYWHERE. But if you can get your hands on some you should!
 
Not sure where you get your info, but the FBI currently uses Gold Dots and nothing else in handgun calibers.
Click to expand...

I know the FBI's CIRG used Golden Sabers not all that long ago. When did they switch to Gold Dots?
 
i only have experience with the 124 gr variety in the form of reloads, but the actual bullet itself is a performer. i dont know how it acts from factory loading though. if you roll your own sometimes you can get a good deal on them from ebay.
 
Not sure where you get your info, but the FBI currently uses Gold Dots and nothing else in handgun calibers.
Click to expand...

I confirmed this AM that the guys out of a local field office are still carrying Ranger SXT's in their magazines, and said they use any/all of the current premium HP ammo. So, where do you get your info? I got it straight from field guys.
 
QUOTE
The Golden Sabers were used by the FBI. Now everything is Speer Gold Dot.
END QUOTE

The FBI places ammo bids out. Speer may have won this time. I know of at least two Agents with Golden Sabers in their guns as of a few months ago.
Pat
 
Obviously, try them out first. They don't feed in my 1911. I'm using 185 grain Speer Gold Dot.
Click to expand...
That's funny. I had the exact opposite problem with my Kimber Ultra Carry II. Golden Sabers feed great, while Gold Dot's get caught on the feed ramp.

I really like the golden sabers. I've been in, like, twelve gunfights and each time but one, with good shot placement, I dropped the BG in his tracks, one shot stop. The one time that one shot didn't do it, the guy was wearing three layers of denim that prevented the bullet from expanding. In all cases I used the standard "double tap to the body, single tap to the head" method, so even that last guy went down and I came away without a scratch. Training, training training.

Shazam! :rolleyes:

Note: the story about the feed ramp is actually true. Although they were reloads with gold dot bullets, so I don't know if actual factory loads would have failed. It would only fail on the first cartridge out of the mag as well. Two different Kimber factory mags, they were. The Nose of the bullet would just catch on the feed ramp and jam up. :p

Golden Sabers and ball ammo have been 100% reliable. I asked Kim du Toit about good ammo to carry outdoors and he said he liked the Golden Sabers too, saw a badger that was badly messed up by a couple something awful.
 
OK in my 1911

Golden Sabers are the only HP (230 gr + 185 gr) that I can depend upon to feed RIGHT in my Springfield Compact. Desperately accurate too..

my confidence is extremely high. Started reloading them myself with AA#2. a tad faster, way more accurate too.. lucky guess.

Once in a while I do something right!

Plain
:neener:
 
Golden Sabers are a very feed reliable jhp. They are designed with a rounded profile. The jacket is actually sub caliber until it hits the driving band which is in the case mouth. Its easier to put a rounded slightly smaller bullet in a hole than other designs. If your gun has a problem feeding Golden Sabers are a good choice. Their also not that bad of a load.
Here are some pics.
 
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