Revisiting the Gold Dot 135gr in both 38+P and 357Mag

[jfh]

FYI: I've also loaded several boxes of the Speer GDSB135JHP 135-gr. bullet over the past year as well as the 140-gr. LTCs. AFAIK, there is only one p/n for this bullet--4014.

Jim H.

 

[Catalina25]

TonyB, Though I carry a 36 I suffer from the very same dilemma. Tom

 

[Okee]

Does anyone know where I can order some Speer GDSB135JHP .375?
Everyone I know of is out.

Thanks,
Okee

 

[Marvin KNox]

DPX alternative to Speer .357 SB

I know this is an old thread. But I'll add on anyway.

I became disallusioned with the .357 SB a while back and looked for another alternative. I probably didn't really have to do that - I just lost confidence after all the talk about the round.

I'm betting that I probably would have a round that would do the self defense duty just fine if I had stayed put. But I ended up with the DPX .357 ammo.

Great performance over a proven wide range of velocities. Almost guarenteed to open up at the 1100fps or a little less that I get with my 340 M&P. Also has GREAT penetration performance to go with it.

Very expensive - yes! But it only takes a box or less to sight in with. I've found a 125 gr. hollowpoint from Mastercast that mimics it's recoil and POI just fine. Very inexpensive to practice with. I carry the DPX always and throw one downrange every now and then just to be sure things are the way I remember them.

I'll bet the Speer stuff in .357 would be OK if someone needed a little more than the .38+p ammo that the 135 gr. was developed for. But I wont take a chance for just the few bucks it took to sight in the DPX stuff.

I'm happy - but to each his own!

 

[tommyo]

Is the felt recoil from the DPX less than the Speer 135 GDSB in your 340?

 

[coach22]

In my 340 PD, the DPX +P has less recoil
than the GDSB +P. It was loaded with DPX +P
until I switched to Buffalo Bore 125 +P's.
http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#38spl
My other 3 J Frames are loaded with Buffalo Bore too.
Model 49 and 442 with Standard Pressure 158's.
Model 640 (38) First 2 Standard Pressure 158's
followed by 3 158 +P's.
If I couldn't get Buffalo Bore,
all would be loaded with DPX +P's.

 

[tommyo]

I have read elsewhere that others feel the DPX 110s felt less harsh. How is the recoil on the Buffalo Bores? Have you tried any light weight bullets in a 357 loading that are tolerable?

 

[saltydog452]

I'm glad to see this post again.

Bad me, I forgot to thank Mr. March earlier.

Thank you sir. Its a bit late but no less sincere.

sd.

 

[Marvin KNox]

TOMMYO

The DPX has less recoil than the Speer .357 Gold Dot Short Barrels to my feeling anyway.

The .357 DPX is the 125gr.bullet. The .38 DPX is the 110gr.bullet. That one has way less recoil than the either the .357 DPX or the Speer .357 GDSB IMO.

The DPX gives almost 1100fps for 330ish ft. pounds of energy. The Speer give about 300ish - in .357 magnum.

If I dropped back to .38+p I'd stay with the Speer for less money and great performance.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon 357 Magnum 125 gr DPX Ammo.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon 38 Special Ammo.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/can_less_be_more.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/38vs357snub.htm

(Plugs for my favorite gun writer!)

To match the .357 DPX POI and recoil wise - look for something clocking around the 1290fps (6" barrel) given by the reloaded hollow points I get from Mastercast.

http://www.mastercast.net/amo.htm

(Price is right -but around one misfire per box of 50. They always fire after another strike or two. Small price to pay for cheap ammo.)

 

[tommyo]

Thanks for the links! Good reading.

 

[Rampant_Colt]

135gr Short Barrel Load

The difference between the .357 Mag and .38 Special 135gr Gold Dot bullets are in its alloy and copper-plating thickness.

It's my guess that they use harder lead and thicker copper plating on the .357 Magnum Gold Dot.

 

[hoptob]

Rampant,

What is the source of this information, if you don't mind my asking?

Mike