Speer Gold Dot 210 grain HP for .44 Mag

[cherokee75]

Anybody have any experience hunting whitetail with this bullet?  I just saw it on their web site and was curious about its performance.

[gdaontour]

No experience, but a friend said gold dot was the way to go.  His father has killed every animal he shot using gold dot.  i too am planning to try this but have not shot so far.  The load I am personally interested in is the 240 grain.  It hits harder.  See this link http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/detail.aspx?loadNo=23973 and compare with this link http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/detail.aspx?loadNo=23972

[drdougrx]

I may be speaking out of turn here, but, the only animal I've seen taken with GoldDots in 210grains was a smallish hog (about 110lbs) shot with four in the chest and there was little penetration and a couple of really nasty scollops in the hide.  There may have been several reasons for this, but, I suspect the bullet expands too quickly fo hunting.  Deer are different and are withouit the heavy bones and gristle plate of the hogs, but, I'd still like to see better penetration.  Any interrest in Hornady XTP's??

[cherokee75]

drdougrx- The main reason I chose the 210 Gold Dot HPs is that I already had a full can of Unique and I wanted to be able to relaod rounds I could hunt deer with.  I did some reading and realized I would not be able to push 240 grain bullets fast enough with Unique and I came across Speer's 210 Gold Dot which according to their website Unique can push the 210 to 1300+ fps with 1300 fps being their minimum velocity for the bullet to properly expand.  I figured it would be more than enough bullet seeing as how my shots will basically be "bow range" distances from tree stands.  I am definitely not opposed to XTPs becasue I have seen what they can do from a muzzleloader.  I think I may have to break down and buy 2400 and some 240 XTP's

[Redhawk1]

Speed of a bullet is only part of it, the construction of the bullet is the other. You need a good combination of both to have a good hunting bullet. In my opinion the gold dots are not a good hunting bullet. JMO

[irold]

Think drdougrx has the right idea.....xtp ...I use 24.5 of W295 with the 240 xtp, works real well. I don't mean to bad mouth you idea on the Speer 210...just trying to help .

[drdougrx]

Hey Cherokee,

I'm hear'n ya.  Bullet construction is everything to me (me...may be different for others).  I beleive the 210gr is a self defense round and I expect would be inadequate for hunting....which doesn't mean it won't work...it may.  Just my opinion...take it as you like...good hunting and post pictures!

[cherokee75]

I just figured I would give the 210 Gold Dot a try but as I have posted in the handgun genral discussion forum, I have experienced problems in reloading them.  I thought the load would be adequate because it is essentially the same as the recommended load for the 41 Mag.  I realize the diameters of the bullets are different but the .44 Gold Dot, I believe, is supposed to have a thicker jacket if I am not mistaken.  Anyhow, it might be a moot point if my relaoding problems persist.  I will have to break down and buy different powder and bullets anyway.