omegasmoke
The biggest difference is that the Gold Dot is bonded, I have shot quite a few deer with both they both do the job quite well. I prefer the Gold Dot as it drops them on the spot more often. The 250 gr Gold Dot and the regular XTP are good for animals the size of deer and mule deer for elk and bigger the XTP mag and the 300gr Gold Dot are better. It comes down to the fact that both will do a good job used right so its a matter of preference.