.44 magnum xtp

[gahunter]

This year I will be using my SBH Hunter again for whitetail deer. I have managed to shoot a few in the past using Speer Gold Dots and also Winchester Platnum Tips. Both have worked well. This year I am going to using factory loaded Hornady XTPs. I will either use ammo from Black Hills or from Hornady. This is my question. The Hornady factory ammo shoots well in my SBH.  1.8" 5 shot groups at 50 yards and chronos at 1450 fps over my Shooting Chrony. The Black Hills shoots 1" 5 shot groups at the same distance but at 1270 fps. Do you guys think that 1270 fps is enough for the XTP or should I shoot the Hornady ammo @ 1450 with only giving up a little accuracy. Most shots will be inside 80 yards. Thanks for you help.

[sawfish]

Even the Black Hills load will produce enough velocity to expand the XTP.  
There is not that much difference between the two, and I do not think the deer will care which one is faster.   If there is a significant difference in price, let that be your guide.

[MS Hitman]

1,270 fps is fasr enough to work.

[oso45-70]

This year I will be using my SBH Hunter again for whitetail deer. I have managed to shoot a few in the past using Speer Gold Dots and also Winchester Platnum Tips. Both have worked well. This year I am going to using factory loaded Hornady XTPs. I will either use ammo from Black Hills or from Hornady. This is my question. The Hornady factory ammo shoots well in my SBH.  1.8" 5 shot groups at 50 yards and chronos at 1450 fps over my Shooting Chrony.

gahunter Not to worry, Either will do a great job. Good luck...........Joe............

[swampthing]

I would give Hornady a call and ask the minimum velocity for reliable expansion. According to their manual the bullet is suggested for muzzle velocities between 900-1800fps. That bullet started at 1250fps wont go below a 1000fps until its past 150yds.

[sawfish]

Ballistic Explorer calculates the velocity of this load (240 gr XTP-1250 fps) at 100yds. as 1,100 fps,  Velocity does not fall below 1,000 fps until past 175 yds..

[Hook686]

What velocity is needed to assure full expansion of the XTP bullet ? At what range does your ballistics data indicate that velocity will be reached ? What bullet weight is being used ?

[S.B.]

Absolutely.

[Gregory]

The Black Hills shoots 1" 5 shot groups at the same distance but at 1270 fps.

More than enough for deer.  Don't fret about it.

[Catfish]

I won`t use the 240 gn. XTP bullets in .44 mag. for deer. I found them to be real accurate, but could not push them fast enough to get any expantation from my SBH, or my El Dorado. Should be an excellant hog bullet though.

[doncisler]

definitly not a good hog bullet.  used them for a big feral hog and didn't penetrate the fat shield intact.  quartering away got thru behind ribs to kill it.  they did make a mess of the fat but only shrapnel got into ribcage.

[ghr]

i purchased a super redhawk last month for deer hunting and hiking. used some winchester factory 265gr. soft point and am looking for a premium hunting round.  i am leaning towards gold dots or partitions.  i reload 147gr xtp for the 9mm, but if proper expansion is a problem i would look for another bullet.