.40 S&W Gold Saber jacket separation?

dyl · July 26, 2011, 09:45 PM

I just saw a video by someone on youtube named tnoutdoors9 that showed:

180 grain Gold Saber .40S&W fired into test media (denim in front of jugs of wet newspaper) would have a separation between the jacket and the lead. The jacket would be left somewhere about halfway down the "wound" channel and the lead core - now naked, seemed to not expand very much - or being unsupported it expanded too much and folded over.

I didn't like that video because that's my carry ammo!

Have any of you switched away because you heard of this phenomenon?

Truth be told, I bought the Gold Sabers because they were cheaper than Gold dots. Sometimes it doesn't pay to be cheap

Mr.Blue · July 26, 2011, 10:27 PM

I have some Golden Saber and like their energy and accuracy. That said, they are known to have jacket separation issues. The bonded version, which I have never seen, supposedly stays in tact. The negative thing about jacket separation is reduced penetration. The Golden Sabers penetrate well even with separation, as the separation occurs late. I wouldn't worry about it. The Golden Saber is an older design, but very energetic and effective.

voyager4520 · July 27, 2011, 03:24 AM

They make Bonded Golden Sabers.

Not .40, but a comparison between regular Golden Sabers and Bonded:
Ammo Test 9mm Luger - 147gr Golden Saber: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7mKe4_2V1w
Ammo Test 9mm Luger - 147gr Golden Saber Bonded: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSPoLRV3e1Y

C0untZer0 · July 27, 2011, 05:29 AM

Shooting a jug of red cool aid?

"Splatter test" ???

Seriously ?

dyl · July 27, 2011, 01:47 PM

Thanks for the replies. Voyager - thanks for the links. I looked at those videos and like CountZero I've never seen a Kool-aid test or Splatter test done before (looks Quentin Tarantino inspired - also would be difficult to quantify) the water expansion showed jacket separation of the non-bonded Gold Saber - but the bonded held together.

when I bought them the gun store genius

held a box of Gold Sabers in one hand for $26 and Gold Dots in the other for $36. I asked what the difference was and he said "oh, you're just paying for the name" The choice was obvious then wasn't it

But it was a big step up from winchester white box

July 26, 2011, 09:45 PM	#1
dyl Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,310	.40 S&W Gold Saber jacket separation? I just saw a video by someone on youtube named tnoutdoors9 that showed: 180 grain Gold Saber .40S&W fired into test media (denim in front of jugs of wet newspaper) would have a separation between the jacket and the lead. The jacket would be left somewhere about halfway down the "wound" channel and the lead core - now naked, seemed to not expand very much - or being unsupported it expanded too much and folded over. I didn't like that video because that's my carry ammo! Have any of you switched away because you heard of this phenomenon? Truth be told, I bought the Gold Sabers because they were cheaper than Gold dots. Sometimes it doesn't pay to be cheap

July 27, 2011, 03:24 AM	#3
voyager4520 Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2009 Location: SE Colorado Posts: 840	They make Bonded Golden Sabers. Not .40, but a comparison between regular Golden Sabers and Bonded: Ammo Test 9mm Luger - 147gr Golden Saber: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7mKe4_2V1w Ammo Test 9mm Luger - 147gr Golden Saber Bonded: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSPoLRV3e1Y __________________ Glock 23,27 Last edited by voyager4520; July 27, 2011 at 03:30 AM.

July 26, 2011, 10:27 PM	#2
Mr.Blue Junior member Join Date: May 30, 2011 Location: SE Wisconsin & Long Island, NY Posts: 418	I have some Golden Saber and like their energy and accuracy. That said, they are known to have jacket separation issues. The bonded version, which I have never seen, supposedly stays in tact. The negative thing about jacket separation is reduced penetration. The Golden Sabers penetrate well even with separation, as the separation occurs late. I wouldn't worry about it. The Golden Saber is an older design, but very energetic and effective.

July 27, 2011, 05:29 AM	#4
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	Shooting a jug of red cool aid? "Splatter test" ??? Seriously ?

July 27, 2011, 01:47 PM	#5
dyl Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,310	Thanks for the replies. Voyager - thanks for the links. I looked at those videos and like CountZero I've never seen a Kool-aid test or Splatter test done before (looks Quentin Tarantino inspired - also would be difficult to quantify) the water expansion showed jacket separation of the non-bonded Gold Saber - but the bonded held together. when I bought them the gun store genius held a box of Gold Sabers in one hand for $26 and Gold Dots in the other for $36. I asked what the difference was and he said "oh, you're just paying for the name" The choice was obvious then wasn't it But it was a big step up from winchester white box