How do you all feel about SPEERS .223 64 gr GDSP? Is it a good round for unobstructed targets as well as barriers? Would you trust it?
Have you read this?:
Yea but was still curious how other people felt about it, it was mentioned but not in depth for this particular round, didn’t find much in the search either. Just wanted some real world testing info.
actually there is a lot that can be found on this site using the orange search button…
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=105639
This is the Federal Fusion, similar or identical bullet construction as the Gold Dot
I know this load has been tested quite a bit.
Personally, I think it is superb and I wish I could find some in stock to buy more of.
I have compiled a bit of data on the round (2012 Production 64gr Gold Dot # 24448), both real-world and “paper”. Here is a brief synopsis:
Velocity from 16"----2711fps (independently tested, I believe 1-3 shots were used)
Velocity from 10.5"–2508fps (Per ATK, verified with 1-3 shots over the screens which registered 2500 even average, if there was more than 1 shot, I did not do this)
3-shot group at 100 yards-1"
Effective Expansion threshold-“below 1800fps”, or 200+ yards from 10.5" SBR, per ICE’s specs. ICE is behind the round, as I understand it.
BC–.267
BTSP configuration projectile
Cases: Nickel, no neck sealant, crimped into cannelure
Primers: Sealed, staked
The above is pertinent to 2012 production runs.
Below is terminal performance on a deer, shot quartering at 100 yards with a 16" barreled M700 w/suppressor. The shot hit 1 shoulder.
Impact:
Entrance wound under shoulder:
Trauma to organs:
Exit from tissue (recovered under hide when skinned):
Projectile:
Retained weight: 59.2gr
Expanded Diameter: 0.46"
Distance penetrated: 18" (recovered under opposing side’s hide).
This is my go-to round for my 10.5" SBR. It will expand to near double-caliber out to roughly 200 yards from a 10.5" weapon, is very accurate for a barrier-blind round, and terminal performance is as outlined above.
As you will note, it could be argued that the projectile “over-expanded”. It impacted doing roughly 2500fps, and you can see how “soft” the bullet is, yet it held together very well.
I have shot windshields with this round from a 14.5" carbine (shooting from inside the car out) and it held togather—impacting the berm at 40 yards in 1 piece–although it was deflected, ANY round will be, and badly! in that scenario. The point is, it holds up well against glass as best I can tell, kicking up dirt like unobstructed bullets, while M193 kicked up only tiny multiple puffs in the same situation as it fragged.
*Thanks to who shot the deer, I donated some of this ammunition for the testing in exchange for the data. No names. They are from TOS. Deer was legally harvested.
As noted, I really like the round. It is my go-to for my SBR.
Search terms combining speer, gold dot, gdsp, 64, and 24448:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=103980
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=70758
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=112290
When searching for info on ammo, it’s often helpful to use the actual manufacturer sku/pn to search. When users post their own info on the loads, the better tests, feedback, and info usually include it.
Right, sorry, forgot that part in my review.
Looking at WS6’s pics I can see why I can’t find any of this ammo in stock.
Thanks for posting.
C’mon, I didn’t buy ALL of it :(. Actually, mid December right after the shooting in CT, I found it in stock on multiple websites when all I wanted was some M193.
Streicher’s is where I got mine, about half a year ago. Watch them closely. They get it in regularly. $18/box (about what M193 is currently going for…)
Just the information I wanted, thank you. I just want to say that I did search it on google and here, but was having trouble finding the stuff you guys posted. Sometimes searching for stuff isnt as easy as you might think for some people… like me. But thank you for giving me some great examples and especially the deer! Although im not a fan of small calibers for deer, I use a 7mm MAG for deer, but then again where im from we can’t hunt with semi-auto rifles.
.223/5.56 does just fine on deer, as you can well see, but 7mm does fine as well, I’m sure.
You’re very welcome!
I have bought from them quite a bit, was going to buy more of that ammo, but…
Man I wish we could get these bullets as components!
No worries. It also helps parse out offerings that seem identical, but may be different in smaller and less discernible ways.
We just ask for effort in searching, you’ll get the hang of it. Do note however, that your search returns won’t always get thread titles that are exactly on point. You may have to open a bunch of threads and read them for the info you seek. That’s where many have issues.
I was in a financial position to buy a decent amount of ammo a few weeks back and I’m kinda regretting my choice but I went for 500rnds of Mk318 when I had the opportunity to purchase 55gr SPEER GDSP for about the same price. Went with the Mk318 out of curiosity and its 556 pressures over the GD and the fact that the 64gr wasnt in stock…but in retrospect I should have picked up the 55gr GD at not much more then what I paid for the Mk318
Those 64 gr Gold Dots/Fusions have been available as pulled components via various places in the past couple years. I got a box of 500 for around ten cents a bullet from RMRBullets. Using Varget I got it up to 2930 FPS and noticed pressure signs at 26.0 grains. I’ve since pulled the test rounds and have just loaded them to the ~2800 FPS tested by Molon.
Anyone know what the difference is between the standard duty load 64gr speer gdsp and the “ICE” version?
I do not, but SPEER/ATK only lists TWO product codes, one for 55gr, and one for the 64gr, and the 64gr load was designed for ICE originally, as I understand it. However, it is worth noting that the descriptions on this website differ only in the ICE product description stating:
Speer Gold Dot® Duty 223 Rem. “ICE” rifle ammunition is designed to the specifications of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and features an all brass casing.
Back in the day, I had some Black Talons that were in a brass case. Identical load to the nickel-plated case, but cheaper. ICE may have just spec’ed a brass case to save money in bulk.
Why don’t you buy some and let us know. It’s in stock. 
http://www.policehq.com/Products/CCI-223GDSP.ICE
Compare description to: http://www.policehq.com/Products/CCI-223GDSP
GD is very similar to if not exactly the same as the Federal Fusion loads. Supposedly made the same way on the same equipment, etc. I have been able to find Fusion in local shops that cater to hunters. From my non-scientific testing (i.e., shooting stuff at dusk out of an 11.5" barrel), it appears to have a similar level of flash suppression as GD.
I would also like to know this, since I just bought some of it.
“Buy first, ask questions later” is what I always say. Makes sense in the current environment.