Defensive Carry banner

Ranger T-series compared to Gold Dots?

16K views 16 replies 17 participants last post by  OldVet 
#1 ·
My local FFL has prices as follows:

Gold Dot: 9mm 124gr +P, 50 for $24
Ranger-T: 9mm 124gr +p, 50 for $27

I know that Gold Dot is "Unicore Bonded" and uses a "low flash, clean burning powder," and that the T-series are not bonded. Does the T-series also use low flash powder? How do these rounds stack up? Should I save money and buy Gold Dot. As a side note, both function well in my LC9 and M&P9.
 
#3 ·
I like the rangers, but that is my preference. The expansion tests I have seen has them performing pretty darn well. IIRC a bit better than Gold Dots, but not quite as well as HSTs. Nothing wrong with Gold Dots....
 
#4 ·
I don't split hairs or lose any sleep over it. Years ago I used to be a caliber/ballistics freak, studying every load in depth and research them to death. All I got was a headache.

Both the bullets you mention perform essentially the same, which is extremely well. I think the "low flash" powders are more marketing hype, than have any real advantage over another. For me, it's not a deal breaker either way.

My problem is where I live, finding one brand over the other at any given time in my local gun shops is a crap shoot. I may be able to get Gold Dots two or three purchases in a row, and then not find any in stock the next 5 times I'm looking to buy.

The other option is to buy online and pay a lot of shipping because of the weight, or waste a lot of gas driving from gun shop to gun shop to try and find a specific brand. So, I just stick with the major name brands with good reputations for working, and get whatever is available at the time. Speer Gold Dots, Hornady TAP, Ranger-T, Federal HST's are the ones I try to stick with.
 
#6 ·
Both perfrom well.

Whichever one shot reliably and accurately out of my pistol is the one I'd be purchasing.
 
#8 ·
Both will do wonders when applied to the affected areas liberally,BTW,the Ranger T's are the Black Talons,without the "Black" coating.
 
#9 ·
Flip a coin, heads Gold Dots, Tails Ranger Ts. If you have tested both in the guns you intend to carry them in and they function well, flipping a coin is about as scientific as you need to get. Both rounds have been proven for years by Law Enforcement and passed with flying colors. The only thing that would sway me towards the Gold Dots is if I had to shoot through a barrier such as glass or something. Since I don't see much call for that in civilian concealed carry both will work great. I carry 180gr Gold Dots in my 40cals, and 147gr Ranger Ts in my 9mms.
 
#10 ·
As everyone mentioned. They will both have the same end result. Save the $ and get the GD's. That is what I use in all my 9mm's.
 
#11 ·
I can't help you decide either...I carry Ranger T's in my 9mm and Gold Dots in my .38 snubby. :yup:
Both are outstanding, IMO...I'd hate to have to live on the difference.
and a box of 50 for what most others charge for a box of 20 or 25 SD rounds.
 
#12 ·
Both have shown to be Very Good SD rounds. What ever you shoot best is the round I would go with!

Footnotes:

The LE Dept. I'm consulting for uses the Ranger T series and the County ME states he can tell when he is examining that it was Range T by the star shape of the bullet. The only Ranger round that doesn't use "Low Flash" powder is the 357 sig.

I personally would go with the Ranger T as I've seen the performance in critical situations and the three dollars difference is that much. Note I do carry Gold Dot +P in my PPS when it is not in Walther's (S & W) repair shop.
 
#13 ·
I'm shooting a .40, so I don't know if this really helps, but... I absolutely freaking love the Rangers in 180 grain. They fired much more smoothly with less recoil and easier followup shots than the Gold Dot's that I tried out. It may not matter as much in the 9mm, though.
 
#15 ·
I use Gold Dots. Partly because I can never find the Ranger T's or HST's, partly because they have a proven history in real life shootings and not just "Jello Killings".

However, I did stumble upon this video in which a 127gr +P+ Ranger T fails to expand, and I have concluded, NO pistol bullet is 100%.

 
#17 ·
"I don't split hairs or lose any sleep over it. Years ago I used to be a caliber/ballistics freak, studying every load in depth and research them to death. All I got was a headache."

That ^^^

Any of the current market leaders will get the job done when placed correctly. as will a marble in the right spot. Concentrate more on where you're shooting rather than what you shoot them with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JokerG23
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top