Indeed. Havent tried the Federal rounds as yet, so cannot speak to them -for myself-one way or the other. I recall when they'd initially came out though, that some rounds on the shelves were supposedly not the bonded versions.
The Gold Dots -in 230 grains- I have tested extensively for myself.The results have been very consistent- penetrating to an avg. of 12" -15" and expanding fully each time, as well.
As for my hardball- I prefer the TMJ's -for their weight retention. Having that tail end of the round sealed with the jacket makes a difference in both penetration, and weight/mass retention, as well. - The exposed core at the rear of most FMJ rounds tends to "squirt" out the rear, non-jacketed portion of the round, when it impacts solid objects.
Oh, and for the sake of argument- the .25 acp Gold Dots- they penetrated everything that my .45 has, consistently- on 2 occasions over -penetrating, and blowing right on out through my back-stop, and on down-range, never to be recovered. The recovered rounds didnt expand though. Except for wood- they get clogged and up and stop inside of 1" pine boards. But.. it's "just" a .25 acp..
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