I've always preferred gel tests of any caliber to be done with a clothing barrier as well as some other material to simulate bone or ribs. Bare gel tests will always leave you with a false sense of security. That's like saying that every self defense shooting one might get into would be for the attacker to be naked and have no chest bones. In a real world self defense shooting, bullets will almost always have to pass through bone, or at least some clothing, to reach vital organs. Keep doing the tests the way you have been, we'll keep watching.
Thanks for the video. The Remington Golden Saber 230 grain bonded jacketed hollow point ammo is a favorite of mine for my 45ACP handgun. Thanks to your video, I will now have to try it in my 38 special and my 9mm handguns.
The standard advice was to use 110 grain 38 Special +P in snubby revolvers to get any kind of expansion but apparently bullet technology has improved, as your testing demonstrated with the 125 grain +P load. Both of these loadings performed adequately for defensive use. Thanks for another excellent video.
Remington makes a lot of stuff. Not as much as Winchester though lol. They make like a couple dozen various named types. Seems like Golden Saber is good, but not good at these power levels. My last video with the .40 S&W Golden Saber had that 165 gr going through 2 layers of coat, 2 layers of sweatshirt and two layers of Tshirt and still expanded.
I was carrying a "dud" round in my single stack for a while that i counted on to save my life when they were labeled "Ultimate Defense"... I wasn't too thrilled about that..
I like the 38 special GS +P unfortunately they hit very low in my old guns which are all regulated for 158 grain. I did carry the GS rounds in my newer 642 airweight as that seemed to be sighted for 125. The gun only lasted 4 years and roughly 4K rounds before it went down permanently.
Started having light primer strikes so sent it to S&W and they said that was normal wear and tear and would not warranty it. When they sent it back to me there was a letter stating it was unsafe so I could not sell it so I destroyed it. I finally tracked down the tech who looked at it and he said the firing pin was wearing an oval hole in the frame so was not making consistent contact with the primers. He would not speculate on why it happened though. Either way it did not last long for a $500 dollar gun.@@Stew-rl9qk
It would be interesting to see the for “COMPACT HANDGUNS” Golden Saber load in .38 Special +P tested, to see if there is any difference in performance between the regular “DEFENSE” Golden Saber load that you tested in this video.
Hi gun Sam. Have you ever tried the old 38 spl. Hollow point all lead bullets. I still have a few. Ive shot ground hogs with them with my Ruger blackhy with a 7" barrel. It makes a big hole. They go nowhere.
Good video, I'm disappointed in the .38 Golden Saber. The older version seemed to perform better . My primary CC is a SW 637 and it's loaded with the older non bonded Golden Sabers. I never saw an earlier test of the older version that didn't expand. I'm glad I bought a bunch of them a few years ago. Couldn't pass them up at 12.99 a box of 25.
This version may have been designed for use in a longer 4" barrel. Only Remington knows the barrel length it used in the tests. I use 110 grain JHP +P in my snubby revolvers for more reliable expansion.
Little disappointed...the 9mm maybe needs that Plus P. After doing my own tests now & comparing it to others & official data I'm sold on Hydrashok Deep for .38, & HST or Punch 9mm, and 154 grain HST. My .357 Mag tests yesterday all confitm .357 doesn't suck 😂 I tested 7 loads! Get better soon Sam, I emailed you the unlisted links if you want to check them out. As for Golden Saber....I've seen new Box 185+P...when only the Bonded standard pressure 185 has been around last few years hopefully that's back to old school goodness. I JUST FOUND TONS OF REAL FBI DATA retested in 90s ON ALL CALIBERS!!!
@bobjones-bt9bh I agree with that though you need to check POI especially w Critical Defense past 7 yards stretch it to 12 or 15 yards and verify. I'm about to film all the real fbi .38 data and when you look at manufacturers data...the .38 deep is the one clearly passing 12" and expanding. CD only 11.25" heavy clothing likely less bare gel.. facts
Hi gun Sam I hope you get to feeling better. Soon. Your Pennsylvania buddy Jeff. I really like 38 spl. That's what I have in my Ruger security 6. It's amazing accurate. And Will protect against the bugger man 😊
The .38 Special generally does have more powder, but being long, that means it burns at only half the pressure of the 9mm. The 9mm burns the powder much faster with more pressure, making it more powerful in a handgun.
At least you didn't shoot the chronograph. I wish the 38 was a bit hotter and more consistent. 950fps seems to me to be about the low end from a 2" barrel.
@@BallisticsGel Things to think about. The FBI has agents that work in North Dakota. They also help people enter the capitol building and then arrest them and keep them in jail for over two years. I think I will do my own thinking.
Hey sam check put the LTL bravo 1.50 with some aluminum balls 44grains at 400fps 50cal its more powerful than a bryna more relaible and more realiatic looking its surpising how much energy co2 can generate 20joules + or 15ftlbs its about as powerful as a .22 pellet rifle but semi auto and you know you dont wanna get shot by a .22pellet
Those who argue the test would have more meaning if the nine more as also +P. Someone choosing the nine as their carry gun would search out the best ammo. So I didn't watch after I learned of that comparison defect. Whatever you concluded is not a real world scenario.
The only thing you need to redact in this video is that Remington got better again. Thanks for saving me some money. And there's no way you should have missed you're a good shot. That stuff is awful!
You have a collection of data that shows that self defense hollow point ammunition has a velocity minimum for expansion. I question the value of expansion versus not expanding. The bullet has to absorb energy to deform itself. Hunting of game has been done with bullets that put (2) holes thru the lungs on a deer. I understand expansion is needed to avoid a bullet exiting into a bystander. Nobody ever died from a 45 exiting a bad guy in a western…
Thanks for another informative vid! To hell w/ the knitwits who criticize your testing - stupid is as stupid does. Yea, I'm not a big fan of Remington ammo. It's the big name factory ammo that is worse than some budget ammos.
I just don't buy remington ammo for the most part. Too spendy for what I've seen in tests. Even some of their range stuff gets a premium price, for what I don't know. Still buy blocks of golden bullets though, cheap plinkers.
Only problem with 9mm is tests don't seem to relate to real world incidents. Most calibers expand hollow points right away. Many time 9mm penetrates real deep and then expand after already being deep because they have the smallest hollow cavity compared to everything else of similar size. So it lacks energy dump and lacks ability to stop threats fast. I would never recommend it unless you have a pretty long barrel and it's a light for caliber +P+.
Thanks for doing these vids .. . not being negative here but who wears bluejean jackets anymore.. and the people that do most likely, are not the kind of folk your going to be defending yourself against. How about fleece and t-shirt testing? Glad to see your back at it and feeling better, Thank you.
38 special +p does NOT mean "higher pressure than standard". It means it was tested with a piezoelectric sensor instead of a copper crusher. 38 special and 38 special +p are both STANDARD PRESSURE. Some original 38 special black powder loads have higher chamber pressure than 38 special +p loads. The +p designates the testing method. It is not a enhanced 38 special load. 9mm +p however is a higher or maximum pressure loading. It's confusing, but you have to travel back in time to the 70s when testing switched from C.U.P. to P.S.I.
9mm wins for capacity but capacity is becoming a big agenda as you know.. .38 special wins on everything else and most of the .38 special guns will fire .357 as well.
They are best with heavy rounds and fast burning powders. Most 38special rounds seem to be rated out of lever guns or something because they won't even get close to the rated velocity in 4" barrels. I got Underwood 158gr Keith Hardcasts 38+P and they are so powerful that my hand hurt for a month after firing 2 rounds. The second shot using leather gloves. My Taurus Ultralight Snub handled it just fine though. It made me realize that I can pack way more punch from my handloads than load data calls for and still not be as stout as the underwood loads.
I have been sick for 3 weeks, last week I was in the hospital but even now I am not well enough to reply to comments. Thanks for understanding.
🙏
Hope you get to feeling better. Take care.
Get better quick! Thanks for all the work you do!
Get well soon Sam! 💯
No worries Sam. I have been binge watching your prior vids. Happy New Year 👍
Hey Sam, we are pulling for a speedy recovery. Hopefully, your prognosis is good.
Sorry to gear that youve been in the hospital Sam. I hope you get well soon, and a speedy recovery. Thanks for all you do.
I've always preferred gel tests of any caliber to be done with a clothing barrier as well as some other material to simulate bone or ribs. Bare gel tests will always leave you with a false sense of security. That's like saying that every self defense shooting one might get into would be for the attacker to be naked and have no chest bones. In a real world self defense shooting, bullets will almost always have to pass through bone, or at least some clothing, to reach vital organs. Keep doing the tests the way you have been, we'll keep watching.
God Bless You. Get well soon. We need people like you to help save this country!
Thanks for the video.
The Remington Golden Saber 230 grain bonded jacketed hollow point ammo is a favorite of mine for my 45ACP handgun.
Thanks to your video, I will now have to try it in my 38 special and my 9mm handguns.
Interesting test Sam, thanks for your time/efforts. I still carry 147 Golden Sabre' in my 9mm carry guns, feed perfectly.
Best of luck in 2023 !!
It really stinks to be in the hospital this time of year, hope you feel better soon.
The standard advice was to use 110 grain 38 Special +P in snubby revolvers to get any kind of expansion but apparently bullet technology has improved, as your testing demonstrated with the 125 grain +P load. Both of these loadings performed adequately for defensive use. Thanks for another excellent video.
GS. Good video. Something going on with that ammo, you don't miss from 40Y. Thanks for sharing and take care.
Welcome back, good to see you back in the saddle.
i'm not back in any saddle. Most RUclipsrs record content going back months. I recorded this a month ago
I hope you get better.@@GunSam
Hope you’re back to better health soon. 👍
Feel better soon
I've been laid-up with the same bad bug going around. Sam, i had some amoxicillin laying around, and it seemed to lessen the severity of the symptoms.
Appreciate the effort that goes into making these videos !
Never used that type brass jacket . Rem makes at least 2 other types I did try & like .
Remington makes a lot of stuff. Not as much as Winchester though lol. They make like a couple dozen various named types. Seems like Golden Saber is good, but not good at these power levels. My last video with the .40 S&W Golden Saber had that 165 gr going through 2 layers of coat, 2 layers of sweatshirt and two layers of Tshirt and still expanded.
I have seen it tested a lot , not the best , not the worst . @@GunSam
I was carrying a "dud" round in my single stack for a while that i counted on to save my life when they were labeled "Ultimate Defense"... I wasn't too thrilled about that..
get well.
The GS looks testa pretty good looking at your tests and others. The Underwood 140 grain looks good, too.
Good info! Wondering if the Golden Sabre "Compact" load 38spc would do better in a 2-3" barrel than the standard load.
I like the 38 special GS +P unfortunately they hit very low in my old guns which are all regulated for 158 grain. I did carry the GS rounds in my newer 642 airweight as that seemed to be sighted for 125. The gun only lasted 4 years and roughly 4K rounds before it went down permanently.
@cdlund2840
Why did your 642 only last 4k rounds?
Started having light primer strikes so sent it to S&W and they said that was normal wear and tear and would not warranty it. When they sent it back to me there was a letter stating it was unsafe so I could not sell it so I destroyed it. I finally tracked down the tech who looked at it and he said the firing pin was wearing an oval hole in the frame so was not making consistent contact with the primers. He would not speculate on why it happened though. Either way it did not last long for a $500 dollar gun.@@Stew-rl9qk
Get well soon Sam.
Nice testing, thanks.
Get well soon.
It would be interesting to see the for “COMPACT HANDGUNS” Golden Saber load in .38 Special +P tested, to see if there is any difference in performance between the regular “DEFENSE” Golden Saber load that you tested in this video.
Another great test. Happy New Year!
Thanks for the short barrel
Those rounds worked really well.
Excellent video keep em coming!
Thanks... Good Shootin on those early Chronograph Shots!
Keep up the great work Sam, dont listen to them.
Happy New Year!
Hi gun Sam. Have you ever tried the old 38 spl. Hollow point all lead bullets. I still have a few. Ive shot ground hogs with them with my Ruger blackhy with a 7" barrel. It makes a big hole. They go nowhere.
Hi gun Sam i hope you get to feeling better. . 😊
Good video, I'm disappointed in the .38 Golden Saber. The older version seemed to perform better . My primary CC is a SW 637 and it's loaded with the older non bonded Golden Sabers. I never saw an earlier test of the older version that didn't expand. I'm glad I bought a bunch of them a few years ago. Couldn't pass them up at 12.99 a box of 25.
This version may have been designed for use in a longer 4" barrel. Only Remington knows the barrel length it used in the tests. I use 110 grain JHP +P in my snubby revolvers for more reliable expansion.
Little disappointed...the 9mm maybe needs that Plus P. After doing my own tests now & comparing it to others & official data I'm sold on Hydrashok Deep for .38, & HST or Punch 9mm, and 154 grain HST. My .357 Mag tests yesterday all confitm .357 doesn't suck 😂 I tested 7 loads! Get better soon Sam, I emailed you the unlisted links if you want to check them out. As for Golden Saber....I've seen new Box 185+P...when only the Bonded standard pressure 185 has been around last few years hopefully that's back to old school goodness. I JUST FOUND TONS OF REAL FBI DATA retested in 90s ON ALL CALIBERS!!!
@bobjones-bt9bh I agree with that though you need to check POI especially w Critical Defense past 7 yards stretch it to 12 or 15 yards and verify. I'm about to film all the real fbi .38 data and when you look at manufacturers data...the .38 deep is the one clearly passing 12" and expanding. CD only 11.25" heavy clothing likely less bare gel.. facts
This guy reports Official Data
Hi Sam, get well soon!
Hi gun Sam I hope you get to feeling better. Soon. Your Pennsylvania buddy Jeff. I really like 38 spl. That's what I have in my Ruger security 6. It's amazing accurate. And Will protect against the bugger man 😊
I just bought the last 3 boxes of this 38 ammo from my local gun store. Paid $31 a box. I feel its a little high but was still ok ish with the price.
The 38 cartridge is wat bigger than the 9mm. Why does it not penetrate more? Im thinking it should have lots more powder
The .38 Special generally does have more powder, but being long, that means it burns at only half the pressure of the 9mm. The 9mm burns the powder much faster with more pressure, making it more powerful in a handgun.
At least you didn't shoot the chronograph. I wish the 38 was a bit hotter and more consistent. 950fps seems to me to be about the low end from a 2" barrel.
I like your bare gel testing, but for different reasons. I live in the deep south. Everyone wears a single layer t-shirt year round. 😊
So skin and organs density & elasticity doesn't matter nor what the FBI wound ballistics and iwba said then ok
@@BallisticsGel Things to think about. The FBI has agents that work in North Dakota. They also help people enter the capitol building and then arrest them and keep them in jail for over two years. I think I will do my own thinking.
Just saw this and PRAYING, Sam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Barrier test shows that you need to shoot more than one round in defense but everything depends on reaction of target to being shot.
Best combination 😊
How do you like that G2C?
Damn Sam get well man.
Shame to call those 38 +p at that speed! Neither performed great but better than a sharp stick. Thanks for testing!
Thank you again !!!
So sorry for the stupid comments
Hey sam check put the LTL bravo 1.50 with some aluminum balls 44grains at 400fps 50cal its more powerful than a bryna more relaible and more realiatic looking its surpising how much energy co2 can generate 20joules + or 15ftlbs its about as powerful as a .22 pellet rifle but semi auto and you know you dont wanna get shot by a .22pellet
I would like to see this test with some Buffalo bore 38+p!
Due what you can to be safe for you much luck in New Year 🎊🎊😊🎉❤
Those who argue the test would have more meaning if the nine more as also +P. Someone choosing the nine as their carry gun would search out the best ammo. So I didn't watch after I learned of that comparison defect. Whatever you concluded is not a real world scenario.
Not bad. Thank you
Never been a fan of Golden Sabers, for just that reason. I’ll stick with my HSTs.😄
Brass jacket = old school .
👍😊 any failure to fire? That’s bad.
The only thing you need to redact in this video is that Remington got better again. Thanks for saving me some money. And there's no way you should have missed you're a good shot. That stuff is awful!
You have a collection of data that shows that self defense hollow point ammunition has a velocity minimum for expansion.
I question the value of expansion versus not expanding. The bullet has to absorb energy to deform itself. Hunting of game has been done with bullets that put (2) holes thru the lungs on a deer. I understand expansion is needed to avoid a bullet exiting into a bystander.
Nobody ever died from a 45 exiting a bad guy in a western…
I'd like to see any of the people talking crap in your comments section consistently hit a steel silhouette at 40 yards with a handgun LOL
👍
Thanks for another informative vid! To hell w/ the knitwits who criticize your testing - stupid is as stupid does. Yea, I'm not a big fan of Remington ammo. It's the big name factory ammo that is worse than some budget ammos.
I just don't buy remington ammo for the most part. Too spendy for what I've seen in tests. Even some of their range stuff gets a premium price, for what I don't know. Still buy blocks of golden bullets though, cheap plinkers.
Iver#mec%tin... from the ranch store... it works... ask how I know...
Praying for you brother.
Bump
The lesson I'm taking away from this is go 9mm over .38 Special if you have the choice.
Only problem with 9mm is tests don't seem to relate to real world incidents. Most calibers expand hollow points right away. Many time 9mm penetrates real deep and then expand after already being deep because they have the smallest hollow cavity compared to everything else of similar size. So it lacks energy dump and lacks ability to stop threats fast. I would never recommend it unless you have a pretty long barrel and it's a light for caliber +P+.
Interesting - thanks for the feedback! I'm starting to get into .357 magnum so maybe a non-issue. @@GunSam
Very useful! THank you!...................................elsullo
Thanks for doing these vids .. . not being negative here but who wears bluejean jackets anymore.. and the people that do most likely, are not the kind of folk your going to be defending yourself against. How about fleece and t-shirt testing? Glad to see your back at it and feeling better, Thank you.
I'm not back up to anything. Released a video filmed a month ago
Algorithm
38 special +p does NOT mean "higher pressure than standard". It means it was tested with a piezoelectric sensor instead of a copper crusher. 38 special and 38 special +p are both STANDARD PRESSURE. Some original 38 special black powder loads have higher chamber pressure than 38 special +p loads. The +p designates the testing method. It is not a enhanced 38 special load. 9mm +p however is a higher or maximum pressure loading. It's confusing, but you have to travel back in time to the 70s when testing switched from C.U.P. to P.S.I.
Pretty weak 38s, shame
Not impressive ammunition with clothing
9mm wins for capacity but capacity is becoming a big agenda as you know.. .38 special wins on everything else and most of the .38 special guns will fire .357 as well.
Say what? Most .38s fire .357? Even if fits blow your hand off wtf
.38 special is such a pathetic round out of short barrels
Clearly,you are not familiar with +P .38spl, especially the 158lead semiwadcutterhollowpoint +P (FBI LOAD).
They are best with heavy rounds and fast burning powders. Most 38special rounds seem to be rated out of lever guns or something because they won't even get close to the rated velocity in 4" barrels.
I got Underwood 158gr Keith Hardcasts 38+P and they are so powerful that my hand hurt for a month after firing 2 rounds. The second shot using leather gloves. My Taurus Ultralight Snub handled it just fine though. It made me realize that I can pack way more punch from my handloads than load data calls for and still not be as stout as the underwood loads.
It's still pretty lethal , many people in the hood have fallen to the 38 snubby.