Speer Gold Dot G2 .45 Auto +P 230 Grain is a duty/defensive handgun load built around a bonded hollow point with an elastomer-filled nose design intended to improve expansion consistency and barrier performance. It is loaded to +P pressure for use in .45 Auto firearms rated for +P ammunition.
Key Features
Elastomer-filled nose cavity – Uses a shallow dish filled with elastomer to help resist clogging and promote consistent expansion.
Bonded bullet construction – Jacket-to-core bonding is designed to reduce separation and improve weight retention through intermediate barriers.
Controlled expansion architecture – Internal design features are intended to drive uniform petal formation and repeatable penetration.
+P pressure loading – Higher-pressure specification is intended to increase velocity compared to standard-pressure .45 Auto loads in similar barrel lengths.
Nickel-plated cases – Nickel plating is intended to improve corrosion resistance and support smooth feeding and extraction.
Generational Improvements
Barrier resistance vs. traditional hollow points – Elastomer-filled nose is intended to reduce performance loss from heavy clothing and other common barriers.
More uniform upset – Expansion initiation relies less on a deep open cavity and more on engineered internal features for repeatability.
Refined bonded design – Builds on earlier Gold Dot bonded concepts with an updated nose/expansion system to improve consistency across conditions.
Specifications
Model number – 54256.
Cartridge – .45 Auto +P (.45 ACP +P).
Bullet weight – 230 grain.
Bullet type – Gold Dot G2 bonded jacketed hollow point.
Listed muzzle velocity – 950 feet per second (varies by firearm and barrel length).
Test barrel length – 5 inches.
Case material – Nickel-plated brass.
Primer type – Centerfire, non-corrosive.
Rounds per box – 50 cartridges.
Rounds per case – 1,000 cartridges.
Competing Items
Federal Premium HST .45 Auto +P JHP – Duty-oriented JHP designed for consistent expansion and penetration.
Winchester Ranger T-Series .45 Auto +P JHP – Service JHP line with barrier-capable performance targets.
Remington Golden Saber Bonded .45 Auto +P JHP – Bonded JHP emphasizing weight retention and penetration.
Hornady Critical Duty .45 Auto +P – Duty-focused load built around controlled expansion and barrier protocols.
Speer Gold Dot G2 .45 Auto +P 230 Grain is designed for users who want a bonded, barrier-capable .45 Auto load with an expansion system focused on repeatability and controlled penetration.
