Thoughts on +p/+p+ ammo (Gold Dot 115gr +p+, Underwood .380 +p Gold Dots)

[Mr. Robot]

Came across a couple boxes of ammo tor cheap, one of them was a box of 50 of Speer Gold Dot 115gr 9mm +p+, thoughts on it? I don’t come across many +p much less +p+ ammo so was wondering what the general consensus on it is.

Also found a 50rd box of Gold Dots 124gr +p, there’s a bunch of information/videos on it while the 115gr +p+, not so much. Not feeding my gun a steady diet of it, maybe 10-20 to see how it shoots and feeds

 

[amnesia]

Underwood - you cant go wrong / I dont see many folks using the 115gr gold dots. Typically its 124 gr +p but not +p+. I have both the 124 +p/ and regular with a smatthering of 147grain which is the typical goto load

 

[Mr. Robot]

Right there with you, I’ve always seen the 115s, 124+ps, and the 147s but not the 115 +p+.

It’s a Gold Dot moving fast for a 9mm so it really can’t be bad in my opinion. And onto the .380 Underwood GD +p, it definitely makes me feel a bit better carrying that in my 42. If I could shoot them out of my LCP2 I would. You notice the recoil difference from the +p .380 but nothing horrendous, it’s still a .380

 

[Catfish]

If you're gonna carry it you gotta practice with it. That's my 2c.

 

[Scrubber3]

Send them to me for testing.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

 

[Mr. Robot]

Agreed completely, I think for the time being I’ll stick with the 124gr +p’s, I have a good bit of practice with that round. I think I’ll hold onto these for novelty/backups

 

[georgel]

The Gold Dot 124gr +P are proven and good to go. So are the non +P version for that matter. The 115gr +P+ might have an issue with under penetration, due to over expansion at +P+ velocities. Go over to Lucky Gunner. The do extensive gel testing on many rounds with measurements and videos. They might have a test on that round since it's a Gold Dot.

ETA: Couldn't find the +P+, but here's the Gold Dot 115gr standard velocity.

9mm Luger Ammo For Sale - 115 Grain JHP Speer Gold Dot Ammunition For Sale

9mm Luger Ammo For Sale - 115 Grain JHP - Speer Gold Dot Ammo Online and In Stock Online at LuckyGunner.com

www.luckygunner.com

 

[Mr. Robot]

The 124gr +P are good to go. So are the non +P version for that matter. The 115gr +P+ might have an issue with under penetration, due to over expansion. Go over to Lucky Gunner. The do extensive gel testing on many rounds with measurements and videos. They might have a test on that round since it's a Gold Dot.

I checked lucky gunner, no dice. Can’t find a solid gel test except some shoddy ones on YouTube. But agreed, with that velocity and a fairly light bullet, underpenetration may be an issue

 

[Timfoilhat]

Illinois state police used to use a Hydrashok load from Federal that was +P+. 9BPLE was the box code.
That stuff did its job just fine. It was a different projectile though.

 

[Mr. Robot]

Illinois state police used to use a Hydrashok load from Federal that was +P+. 9BPLE was the box code.
That stuff did its job just fine. It was a different projectile though.

That’s good to know. The only difference visually w/the over-pressure Gold dots are the overpressures dont have nearly as deep as a cavity as the standard pressure.

Can only assume that’s due to the slower velocity

 

[Frack N Cylons]

Highly doubt you’ll ever shoot enough +p ammo to wear out a gun unless it’s an antique or something.

 

[Frack N Cylons]

I checked lucky gunner, no dice. Can’t find a solid gel test except some shoddy ones on YouTube. But agreed, with that velocity and a fairly light bullet, underpenetration may be an issue

If you’re referring to 9BPLE, ignore the “tests”. That stuff has walked the walk. Its street cred came from full size guns with long barrels so keep that in mind.

 

[Mr. Robot]

If you’re referring to 9BPLE, ignore the “tests”. That stuff has walked the walk. Its street cred came from full size guns with long barrels so keep that in mind.

Meant the GD 115 +p+ but I’ve heard nothing but good things about the 9BPLE.

Did it ever have an official name besides the numbers/letters? Maybe some sort of civilian marketing?

 

[Frack N Cylons]

Meant the GD 115 +p+ but I’ve heard nothing but good things about the 9BPLE.

Did it ever have an official name besides the numbers/letters? Maybe some sort of civilian marketing?

All I’ve ever heard Federal refer to it as was 9BPLE. Someone else mentioned in the thread it was called the Illinois State Police load. Precovid, it was easy to find for 30cpr.

I keep G19 mags loaded with HST 147, HST 124+p, GD 124+p, and 9BPLE. I stopped thinking about which one I was grabbing awhile ago. They all shoot great in my guns, hit close enough to POA, and will get the job done.

 

[Mr. Robot]

All I’ve ever heard Federal refer to it as was 9BPLE. Someone else mentioned in the thread it was called the Illinois State Police load. Precovid, it was easy to find for 30cpr.

I keep G19 mags loaded with HST 147, HST 124+p, GD 124+p, and 9BPLE. I stopped thinking about which one I was grabbing awhile ago. They all shoot great in my guns, hit close enough to POA, and will get the job done.

I think a lot of the times we get caught up in the “which bullet is best” argument.

With modern loads like HST, Gold Dots, Critical Defense (to some), etc., you choose any of these and as long as they function in your gun you should be golden

 

[Mr. Robot]

All I’ve ever heard Federal refer to it as was 9BPLE. Someone else mentioned in the thread it was called the Illinois State Police load. Precovid, it was easy to find for 30cpr.

I keep G19 mags loaded with HST 147, HST 124+p, GD 124+p, and 9BPLE. I stopped thinking about which one I was grabbing awhile ago. They all shoot great in my guns, hit close enough to POA, and will get the job done.

This is from tnoutdoors9’s video, so it’s a Hi-Shok +p+ apparently. May be engineered a bit different than normal hi shok

 

[Frack N Cylons]

This is from tnoutdoors9’s video, so it’s a Hi-Shok +p+ apparently. May be engineered a bit different than normal hi shok

I think 9BPLE is the same as 9BP, it’s just got 150-200fps more ass on it.

 

[BatteryOaksBilly]

+P+. 9BPLE

I’ve heard nothing but good things about the 9BPLE.

All I’ve ever heard Federal refer to it as was 9BPLE.

This stuff is to 9mm as the old Remington and federal .357 125s were. Lotsa shootings and lotsa data. These are not "magic bullets", they work.
I have about 12 boxes and I hoard them mightily.
The only thing better in our "bullet box" is the Lehigh "electric mixer" or Phillips Screw Driver" bullets. As to the +P+...No worries, shoot away. You won't shoot enough or Buy enough to hurt a gun.

 

[AR10ShooterinNC]

Modern 9mm pistol are built to 9mm NATO specs, 9mm NATO is hot ammo, 124gr at 1200 fps.

 

[Mr. Robot]

Modern 9mm pistol are built to 9mm NATO specs, 9mm NATO is hot ammo, 124gr at 1200 fps.

I’ll be shooting it out of an HK P2000SK so I’m not worried whatsoever. HK 9mm’s are built according to 9mm NATO spec, hotter than our typical 115gr.