so you're saying to use the 200g gold dots over the 230g HST? The gold dots (according to federal and speer's website) are 200 fps faster than the 230g HST. 890 vs 1090 fps, thats obviously out of a 5 inch barrel, but gives me an idea anyway.
get some of both. Shoot them. See if there is a significant diference in point of impact at the range you think best suited for your needs. Feel the difference in recoil in your hands. See if your gun chokes on one, or both, or neither. Etc., etc.
There is a lot more to it than a couple hundred fps (at most?) or 100 ft/lbs on paper.
The short barrel velocity loss issue is the reason I run Double Tap ammo in my Glock 36. I still get around 850 fps on thier 230 gr Gold Dot loads out of it's 3.5 inches, and they expand beautifully in water tests. I guess any +P would accomplish the same. Lighter bullets would work too, but that's not my preference. The reason I choose the .45 caliber in the first place is it's heavier bullets.
