Ranger 45 T-Series vs. Golden Saber Bonded; My Range Report

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MEATSAW

New member
Hey guys. Just wanted to share with y'all my findings from the range today. I had a box of Ranger 45 T-series (RA45T) and a box of Remington Golden Saber Bonded (GSB45APB) both standard pressure 230 grain. I was shooting a S&W1911PD TRS with a Surefire x300 attached and with a Chip McCormick Power 10 magazine from 10 yards. I attached photos of 10 round groups from each brand below. I was extremely impressed with the new Golden Sabers. They didn't have the snappy recoil of the Rangers and were spot on accurate. Both brands grouped well, but from my particular piece the Rangers shot high-right consistently. If you are out there still looking for a load for your 45 you can't go wrong with either but definitely give the new Golden Sabers a try.

BTW: the vertical spread is most likely my fault, and the flyers are definitely my fault. The sun was setting and after spending several hours previous to shooting these group looking through a scope my eyes were a little buggy.
 

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...improved G. sabers...

So, the Golden Sabers have been improved...? do kinda like them, but they did have a reputation for being relatively-soft/well-expanding bullet. I read some reviews though that they don't hold up well to full 10mm loads, so I've been avoiding them. If the product has been improved, I might try reloading some.--Patrice
 
I imagine that the velocity of the 10mm is too much for a bullet designed for .40S&W speeds. At least the fragments should give nice secondary wounds.

I just got several boxes of the 230gr T series. I've been considerng switching from the GS, but I haven't had a chance to shoot it (Colt 1991) yet, thanks for the report.
 
I just got several boxes of the 230gr T series. I've been considerng switching from the GS, but I haven't had a chance to shoot it (Colt 1991) yet, thanks for the report.
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No problem. Both GS Bonded and the RA45T were very consistent which is important. Both groups (discounting the flyers) were approximately 7/8" wide by 2" vertical and I am sure if I could get that smaller for both. The key for me was the fact that the Rangers did not go to point-of-aim for my 1911. So to me if I were to use my gun in a high stress situation I would instinctively expect the bullets to go where I am aiming. Unfortunately I cannot expect this with the Rangers given my results. I am going to give the new PDX1 Winchesters (or Ranger Bonded whatever you want to call 'em) a try to whenever I can find some. For now though I feel pretty good about having my mags loaded with the GS bonded knowing they go where I aim.
 
GS 230g is what I use in my 45 for self and house defense
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Regular GS or bonded?

Also does anyone know the muzzle velocity of the new GSBs? The RA45Ts are at ~880fps, so I assume that since the recoil of the GSBs is less sharp that its velocity is closer to the GI standard 850 fps. If anyone knows the ballistics or has chrono'd them that would be great to know.
 
I've used both Win RA45T & Rem GS45APB (non-bonded) 230gr loads as issued ammunition.

The suppression of muzzle flash in the GS loads is inconsistent, and I often experience bright bits of glowing/burning powder debris streaming outward.

I've experienced comparable accuracy with various case lots of both.

Both are premium rounds offered by their respective manufacturers.

I'd not forget that it's always possible to come across the occasional individual round which might have a problem, as with any ammunition, and to examine individual rounds to the extent possible when loading magazines.

I'll continue to use my remaining supply of each of these loads.

Just my thoughts.
 
Those Goldens had an especially nice group. Good work. :)

Everybody needs to keep in mind that one premium-brand bullet is rarely "better" than the other. In another brand of gun, the results might be the exactly the opposite.

The solution is to always test several loads for every gun you have, and find which "one" your gun likes. Obviously, the gun in this test prefers Sabers.

Test, test, test again, then carry with it!
 
In another brand of gun, the results might be the exactly the opposite.

The solution is to always test several loads for every gun you have, and find which "one" your gun likes. Obviously, the gun in this test prefers Sabers.

Test, test, test again, then carry with it!
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Exactly! In fact that is what I have been doing with this 1911 since I bought it in December of 2007. Initially I just wanted to familiarize myself with the new gun, and for about a year I just put as much FMJs through it as I could afford. Then began my quest in earnest for that one load that was accurate/precise. Nearly everything I have tried up until this latest test with the GSBs shot high-right, just like the RA45Ts. In fact at one point I thought there might be a problem with my gun. S&W happily agreed to take a look at it for me for possible frame/barrel/sight alignment issues. They didn't find anything erroneous per se but they did replace the sights and re-test fire it and it passed their inspection so I got they sent it back. I can't tell you how happy I am that I found a loading that goes where my sights are aiming at! I will still test out other brands and loads (next on the list is the Winchester PDX1s), but its just good to know that I have found at least one that I can trust! I also want to try out the Black Hills standard pressure 230 gr JHP. But unless either of those 2 do better than the GSBs I will gladly accept the Remingtons
 
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