Us reloaders have access to hornady's xtp-hp and Speer gold dots hp. I have 4.25" barrel 9mm and trying to decide between which of these bullets to handload in 124gr version. I heard that hornady's xtp's generally penetrate deeper but with less expansion compared to the gold dots. Which bullet would you handload for self-defense? Don't really care about their price difference as I'm willing to pay more if it's a better self-defense bullets that's going to save my life. Thanks for the feedback!

The only way to get gold dots right now is 32.00 a 20 loaded ammo. As a component Speer says no way, so your statement is false.

Shot a lot of deer with a 210 grain XTP out of a 41 mag. Currently have 124 XTP, 158 XTP, 200 and 230 XTP’s loaded for defensive purposes. If you are going to be shooting through windshields and such maybe the GD is worth it, but if you put a couple XTP’s in the boiler room it probably isn’t going to matter.

Availability is the key. But I don’t think you will go wrong with any of the major manufacturers. Everything is a compromise, Bullets included. Hasbeen

If available I would choose the Gold Dots, if not I wouldn't feel handicapped with the XTPs.
Make sure you are loading to at least factory velocities for good expansion.

Lucky Gunner 9mm ballistic test results.

Fair amount of gold dot 124 pulls on GB at auction right now.

@NVhntr, thank you for link to Lucky Gunner!

No experience with 124's in either xtp or gold dot in 9mm, can say i worked up a load for Wifes P356 with 115gr XTP, they run around 1065 fps, really easy for her to shoot, i was blown away by how much that little bullet penetrated, it's tougher than a boot heel at those speeds.

I tested on water jugs with old heavy worn out bath towels wrapped around up front, plus wet magazines and newsprint in a card board box with a few cow rib bones packed in, that bullet is a digger, never lost it's jacket and always expanded to near .500"

Wrote all that to say you should be more than covered with the 124's, good luck and happy shooting.

Just picked up 300 speer GD 124 gr. today at LGS 22.49, they also had XTPs 124 gr. for 21.49.

Thanks for the report, gunner!

Esox357, glad you were able to get your hands on some speer gold dots! That's pretty good price too!

Thanks, yes I had to take a aecond look to make sure. Glad I got some! Try it with True Blue powder.

This bullet has proved to be very, very accurate with AA#7 and Tight group, expands to 69 caliber

https://www.gtbullets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=4

Those look good Keith!

they look exactly like you see in the pictures when you get them! George is a great guy to work with!

I shoot his HP in 9mm, 180 in 40 cal, and 200g in the 45. They are all VERY accurate!

The xtp are a stout bullet, they did not expand to my liking.

Gotcha. Ill have to order some! Do you know of any issues if fired through a suppressor? Any issue with pushing them around 1200 fps?

I have been shooting that bullet for several years. I killed a doe with it a couple years ago with a Kimber 9mm. And I killed a 6 point this morning with one out of my 38 Super. I think they are excellent bullets.

The problem I've experienced with XTPs is that they are inconsistent from batch to batch. I've seen them expand and penetrate well to fragment of not expand at all.
When they are good they are excellent

What kind of velocity are you getting?

I'll be booking mark that site when I get home! Thanks for the tip!

I do not know the velocity of either. The Kimber is a Micro 9. Short bbl. but the bullet gave complete penetration Exit hole was bigger than entrance so I guess it expanded. The .38 super should be doing 1200 or so I think. AA7 in both.

Ok. Thanks Lonerider.

LISTEN!!!

I am a little late on this, but I have some data points. Earlier this year I fired factory standard pressure 124 Speer Gold Dots and 124 Hornady Custom XTPs from the same P365XL (and a Ruger PC Carbine) into 1-gallon water jugs lined up. The Gold Dot round went into the third jug with the P365XL and only went into the second jug from the PC Carbine with too much expansion and too little penetration for my taste. (I did that test twice to see if the result was the same and it was.) With the XTP, the rounds went into the 4th water jug with the P365XL and a P365. With the Ruger PC Carbine, the XTP left its jacket in the rear wall of the third jug and the lead core went into the fourth water jug. I have pictures of the recovered rounds. I didn't think to measure the XTP rounds. Duh! You can see that they are more deformed and probably expanded less. I carry the Gold Dots in my pistols due to the extent of testing done by Federal, but I wouldn't hesitate to carry the XTPs if I ran out of Gold Dots. I would prefer the XTPs in the carbine after further testing to ensure reliability.

Here are some pictures:
Speer 124 Gold Dot: Left-P365XL, Right-Ruger PC Carbine (2 rounds):



Hornady Custom 124 XTP:Left-Ruger PC Carbine, Middle-Sig P365XL, Right-Sig P365



P.S. The Ruger was finicky with the Gold Dots and with the XTP I used for the test, so I sent the carbine off and Ruger replaced the bolt and some other parts. I have not function tested the gun with either since it returned.

@Cheyenne, thank you for posting those pics!