[David Lapell]

I have some 200 grain Hornady XTP's that I picked up today for my .44 Magnum, but I am having trouble finding a load that would give me about 1,100 fps with Unique out of a 4-inch barrel. All the loading date I see is for 1,300 or more.

 

[xtimberman]

I'm looking at some data in a Handloader article (June 2006, #241). Brian Pearce is loading .44 Magnum with 200gr. XTP-HPs with 11.0gr. Unique for 1145fps in a 6 1/2" pre-29. That should be close to your target for a 4" barrel. He refers to it as a "Midrange .44 Magnum load".

12.0gr Power Pistol will do ~ the same thing.

xtm

 

[azmick]

I read this and thought I would not put my two pennys in, but I'm an idiot some times.
This is just a comment on the XTP bullet and about nothing more. I shot an elk with my muzzle loader using an XTP 300 grain, 45 caliber bullet at about 92 yards. The load I was using had a muzzle velocity of about 1800 FPS. At 100 yds, that slows to about 1480 FPS. The bullet went betwwen the ribs going in, messed up the critter's inards, hit a rib and the off side shoulder before coming to rest just under the skin on the off side. The .452 bullet mushroomed to .661. I wonder how much that bullet would deform at 1100 FPS

 

[Sebago Son]

David, Mick

XTP's braggin' rights are that they supposedly expand at a very broad range of velocities.... from less than a 1,000 fps up to over 1800.....

That being said, I've never tried them at the lower speeds.

I do use alot of 200 Grn. .429" XTP's but at around 1400 fps. One of my favorite loads is 26.0 Grns of IMR-4227 and a Standard Federal Primer. Very consistant and accurate. Recoil is snappy but not too sharp out of one of my 4" 29's or 629's.

Drew

 

[azmick]

Drew and Dave, I was expecting,,,,,, more,,, out of the bullet. It did do the job it was made for {the elk was dead after all} so I should not complain I guess. The bullet did not mushroom but did deform from just hitting bone {IMO}. All in all, I think a quality hard cast bullet would have done the same job as well.

 

[Sebago Son]

Mick,

I just went back and reviewed the Hornady claims for the XTP and I get the sense that the major design influence is penetration and weight retention over explosive expansion.

Take a look: https://www.hornady.com/shop/Bullet_XTP_popup.htm

I get the sense that the intended applications this bullet are more in the vein of Hunting as opposed to a Self Defensive. The XTP is deemed a "Controlled Expansion" bullet. It is also interesting to note that when Hornady loads this bullet in it's own branded .44 Magnum ammunition they push it along at 1500 fps. See: https://www.hornady.com/shop/?page=ball ... t_sku=9080

My guess is that it did what it was supposed to do on your Elk and that you got the best this bullet could give..... but maybe you're right.... a good, hard cast lead slug would have given you the same performance.... but you brought home the bacon and that's all that counts....

Drew

 

[xtimberman]

I wouldn't want to shoot that bullet at 1500fps from a 4" M-29! jhgva;o

He might be looking for a load to be used at much closer range than ~100 yards where you wouldn't have so much lost velocity. (?)

xtm

 

[Sebago Son]

I've never Chronographed it, but depending upon the manual you use, my load from above is indicated as 1450 fps.

It's not as bad as it sounds..... recoil is sharp with muzzle climb, but not as punishing as with heavier bullets. Changing the "Cheese Graters" for Smooth Target Stocks help alot.

I use this load because it shoots equally well out of my Carbines and 4" Field Guns.

Note that the Hornady tables are using a 7 1/2" Barrel for their test data. I've not shot these that I can remember....

 

[azmick]

Point taken Drew. I had forgotten that weight retention is the 'cause celeb' of the XTP {so why the hollow point vs. the flat nose?} and if memory serves me, the bullet lost but 15 grains and the jacket came off in my hand only after the bullet was pulled from the carcass. Maybe a picture is in order. :mrgreen:

 

[xtimberman]

I've learned a lot about XTPs on this thread!

Some other reviews and comments:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/HornadyXTP.htm

http://www.handgunsmag.com/ammunition/tap_101405/

http://www.hornady.com/media/2006catalo ... andgun.pdf

Thanks,
xtm

 

[Sebago Son]

Great Links xtm....

Thanks!

Drew

 

[azmick]

I was wrong about the weight of the bullet. Right now it weighs 247 grains, but I did drill a hole in it to mount it to the board.

 

[Sebago Son]

Mick,

WOW!

Shot through an Elk, skidded on a rib, and dumped all of it's energy inside the critter and you got some roasts out of the deal....

Looks like advertizing for Hornady to me!

Thanks for going to the trouble of putting up those snapshots.

Drew