[Jeff]

I just ordered some Hornady ammo with the XTP bullet. Haven't had a chance to shoot any yet. I got the 158 grain jhp in .357 mag and the 230 grain jhp +p in .45 auto.

What do you all think of this stuff?

[Gordon]

Only the "Combined technology PREMIUM($) bullet is better IMHO! XTP's rule the roost for a reasonable priced hunting bullet IMHExperience.:D

[caz223]

All my reloads that HAVE to work, and HAVE to be accurate, I load with XTPs.
I've had fair luck with other brands, but hornady seems to work the best for me.

[KMKeller]

All of my carry ammo, in 9mm (wife's Glock), .45 and .357 is Hornady XTP from their factory (none better), and I shoot Lancer's for my match ammo.

[DigMe]

Haven't heard the best things about their ammo in the common service pistol calibers but Doctor Roberts and crew just finished testing various .44 mag loads and the 300gr XTP was a real showstopper. Here's the thread with results over at www.tacticalforums.com.

http://64.177.53.248/ubb/Forum78/HTML/000281.html

brad cook

[Ben Shepherd]

Real quick rundown. They are my go to slugs in 357, 41, 44 mag, and 454. The accuracy is second to none. The only mass produced slug in the same class is the speer gold dot.

In the 357, I found 2400 and the 158 XTPHP work well.
In the 41, N110 and the 210 XTP.
In the 44, 296 and the 300 XTP.
In the 454 the 300 XTPMAG and 296 is a freight train.

My only exceptions for XTP's are a 158 gold dot hollow point in my sp101 for ccw, and a 270 GDFP in 44, when I want more than a 245 SWC, but less than a fullhouse 300.

If you're only running factory loads, I'm sure hornady has the speed where it needs to be.

If handloading the 158 in the 357, just remember to keep the speed at least 1100 for expansion. Personally I don't shoot them under 1200.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. If interested, here's some observations on XTP's:

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


Best.

[Jim March]

All the reports on XTPs say they're accurate, they usually expand, but they don't go as "fat" as other designs like the Gold Dot and the expansion takes longer (brass jacket) so the wound channel is narrow for the first few inches. They're a deep-punch hunting round that can be over-driven without falling apart.

That's a *generality*. It doesn't hold up in all cases; the Makarov variant fr'instance seems to be a good personal defense load.

For a woods defense/hunting gun of serious caliber, there's none better. For most typical street defense situations, you're usually better off with a Gold Dot of some sort.

[Jeff]

Excellent information, all. Thank you very much. I kind of like the idea of an expanding round that doesn't mushroom too much and delivers better penetration than the average hollow point.

[munk]

Penetration you say? I shot a deer from about 35 yards with a Ruger 41 and some 210 XTP handloads. I believe either H4227 or IMR 4227

I was below her in a swampy area, about 10 feet from a chain link fence and had to place my shot so it would go through one of the small squares in the fence and still hit a vital part of Deer. Entered through her ribs, taking two of them out, some vital organs, severing the spine and breaking a rib on the other side on it's way out to who knows where.


munk

[Dr.Rob]

That .44/300 xtp is a beast on game. Esp loaded on a whole bunch of H110.

Overkill for a carry load, heavy hitter on game, even elk sized game.

[10mmshooter]

I have fired their 10mm 200 gr. XTP form my Dan Wesson Pointman Major. I was impressed with the load. It seemed moderately hot for a factory load, and it fed flawlessly in my pistol.
The most impressive thing I noticed was the accuracy of the round. It was noticably more accurate than any other type of ammo that I have tried in that gun, and the accuracy was consistant.
The only reason that I don't load them for defensive purposes...Is because I have some concern about over penetration from a 200 gr. slug moving at the speeds that load produces.
For that purpose, I load Cor-Bon 165 gr. JHP's. They have been just as reliable feeding wise in my pistol, and are a bit hotter. I feel more comfortable with the 165 gr. bullet at high velocity for defense than I do with the heavier load.
That being said....I would definately use the Hornady for hunting, if I ever chose to use my 10mm for that purpose. The heavier slug, and better accuracy would make it superior to the Cor-Bon load for that application IMHO.

Bottom line.......Thumbs up for the Hornady XTP!:)

[Ky Larry]

Hornady XTP .45 ACP is excellent.

[BHPshooter]

The XTP in 9mm is my hollowpoint of choice.

The saying is that we like expansion, but we need penetration. You get both with the XTP, in my experience.

I tested them against my former hollowpoint, a Nosler 127-gr JHP, shooting against very aggressive cans of beets. The Nosler hit the can dead center, made it jump a bit, and split the can in the back.

While I was reloading with the XTPs, my buddy shot another rabid beet can with his 12ga shotty, and as would be expected, beets went everywhere.

So I lined up the sights at another can with an attitude, and the resulting explosion of beets had me thinking it had been shot with the shotgun. :what: I checked the remains of the can, which had been emptied of beets. The curved portion was flattened.

Needless to say, I was pretty impressed. I don't know how well they would do as a personal defense round, but I keep a magazine loaded with them anyway.

I like 'em.
Wes

[auldpharght]

I use 180 gr. 10mm JHP/XTP (#9126) and 300 gr. 44 Mag JHP/XTP (#9088) and I have never been dissatisfied.

Auldpharght

[alwims]

I reload all of my Hunting bullets with Hornedy XTP JHP. The .357 JHP XTP loaded to 1450 FPS out of my Taurus 608 8 3/8" barrel has downed 11 deer and not one went any farther than 30 yrds. My wife also uses the 380 90 JHP XTP as her carry round and after testing in wet newsprint I was very impressed. Deep penetration and good expansion.

[Matt G]

The Hornady XTP bullet is probably the most underrated premium pistol bullet out there. It has excellent controlled expansion over a remarkable range of velocities, and is consistantly one one of the most, is not the most, accurate bullets you'll try. As our own Staff Moderator Stephen A. Camp mentions in his excellent book, it is curious how the only corner of the shooting world that the XTP line receives much respect from is the hunting faction. I read that, and thought "Steve just hit the nail on the head!" It was back in the late '80's that my father, shooting partner Doug, and I were so impressed by the performance of the XTPs we were testing in .38, .357, 9mm, etc. Yet, I NEVER hear the name spoken among the officers I shoot among, nor on this board. It's just not tactical to many. (Maybe that's why Hornady went to the new packaging and ad campaign that it used for its excellent [by all reports] "T.A.P." rifle load. The hype makes me cringe, but it sure 'nuff do sell boxes of ammo.)

As usual, the success of a product's marketing has only a passing correlation to the efficacy of the product. ;)

[munk]

I don't know why it's not talked about. I've used them since their introduction, in every calibre I own.


I just thought everyone knew.




munk

[glockten]

I sometimes carry the .44 Special 180gr XTP in my Rossi 720.

One negative item: 10mm XTP factory loads in my Glocks leave bulged cases after firing. I don't use them anymore.

[agtman]

FWIW, I've always found Hornady's 180gn 10mm XTP-HP ("full-load") @ 1180fps to be a VERY accurate, flawlessly reliable performer in my G20 and S&W 10mm pistols (1076, 1006).

[Mannlicher]

I started loading the 240 grain XTP .44 for my Smith Mountain gun last year. I was very pleased that this round is so accurate. I find it is more consistant in accuracy than the Gold Dots were.

I load with Blue Dot, 2400, and Unique now, and this bullet works with all three powders.

I have not taken any game yet, but I hope to take a pig or so in May.

[Johnny Guest]

- - And I've tried them out in three or four versions. I simply tend to load lead bullets for the majority of my handgun uses.

A few years ago, I had a specialized need for a fairly compact sidearm with the ability to reach out to modest rifle ranges - - Not for sporting use but for possible defense in a remote area. I chose a Model 66 for moisture resistance, and set about selecting ammunition.

Leaving out a fair amount of experimentation, I settled on the 158 XTP HP with a healthy-but-not-maximum dose of 2400 in Federal Nickel cases. From a bench or back supported sitting, it was no trick to make first round hits on a silhouette at 200 yards, when I held steady. I was gratified with the sheer ACCURACY of that bullet and load.

No adventures to report involving the revolver, but I felt adequately armed, and the presense was comforting . . . .

Best,
Johnny

[munk]

Johnny Guest,

If I could ask, what situation was there that you were comfortable knowing you had 200 yard shots?
sounds like US border country to me...

I'm often in 'remote' areas and I too appreciate the fact a good handload for a magnum velocity handgun cartridge is both powerful and surprisingly accurate out to ranges most people think of as belonging only to a rifle.


munk

[BHPshooter]

I've only handloaded my XTPs so far, but does anyone know where factory loads can be found at a good price?

Wes

[Johnny Guest]

munk, you got it in one. The Presidio and Brewster County area, mostly along el Rio Bravo- - Texas side only, certainly. Ah, but that was long ago and far away, thank you. Everyone knows the border country is a kinder, gentler place, nowadays.

:D
Johnny

[munk]

That's right, everyone knows with the addition of several hundred new officers the thousands of miles border is now secure.

I forget the name of that desert but I want to see it. I love the desert. Miss the Mojave.





munk

[Johnny Guest]

Friend munk, you'll LOVE the Chihuahuan Desert - - Both the Largest and also the WETTEST desert in North America. The Chihuahuan Desert Visitors Center is located on the road between Fort Davis and Alpine, fairly near McDonald Observatory. That entire area is well worthy of several days - - I'd say at least two days in Big Bend National Park - -Three or four, if you have the time. And trips to the west, through Study Butte, Terlingua, up the Camino del Rio, Lajitas, Fort Leaton, Presidio, (DO NOT cross the bridge to Ojinaga with ANY arms or ammo on board,) Shafter, Marfa, Scenic Loop, Observatory, Fort Davis, Prude Ranch for at least one night, Desert Center, Alpine, Marathon. Second thought - - Two weeks wouldn't be too much.

That whole area is RIFLE COUNTRY - - You'll catch yourself estimating (UNDERestimating, due to the clear air) ranges all the time. Oh, wait - - I guess someone in N. Central Montana probably already knows about open spaces. :D

Each time I hit the high desert, it's harder to return "home."

All best,
Johnny

[sgtb]

Love it in 9x18 makarov.

[DigMe]

Hey Johnny,

I'm gonna be hanging out in that area on Memorial Day weekend. My friend's dad owns a big ranch out there right outside of Ft. Davis (Livermore Ranch) and we're going to spend 4 nights and 3 days there with my friend and his wife.

Looking forward to it.

brad cook

[Pumpkinheaver]

I carry them in my 9mm and .45 from time to time. I also load them into .41 mag brass for hunting. They are great bullets.

[munk]

Thanks, JohnnyGuest; I thought the Sonoran was wet with it's two rainy seasons, but I see the Ch is closer to the Monsoons (sic)
I'm going to have to find my Audabon desert guide- isn't there two deserts coming up from Mexico?

In the Mojave an old game was to shoot distant rocks with revolver or rifle. We had fun. You can hit a lot farther than you think- if you're allowed to walk it up to the target.


munk

[entropy]

I'll have to get down there sometime...my Dad moved to Alpine, I haven't been down there to visit yet.:( 300 gr. XTP's backed by a capacity load of Accurate #9 was my moose load, and I almost got to find out how it did at 10 yards when a moose got up in front of me in some very thick tag alders on my once-in-a-lifetime Minnesota moose hunt. The brush was so thick, I could only see small patches of dark brown, couldn't get a good view to shoot, so I passed up the shot. My Dad shot a nice bull the next morning, 5 lung shots with a .300 Win Mag. and that bull still went 150 yards before laying down!:eek:

[Jeff]

The Fumegator: I purchased mine at Natchez Shooter's Supplies.

Can't remember how much they were, but they appeared competitively priced compared to similar loads.

www.natchezss.com

[M58]

I use the XTPs in reloading the 10mm, .357 Sig and .41 mag.
Very pleased with the accuracy and performance of this bullet design.

[David4516]

I have not shot Hornady factory ammo, but I do reload with the XTPs, and have been pleased with the results.

As others have said, the 9mm Makarov (0.365 diameter) XTP is great. It is the best bullet I've found for my Makarov, so I use it in my carry load:

Bullet: 95 gr 0.365 Hornady XTP
Case: Speer
Primer: CCI
Powder: 4.1 gr Bullseye (Max load)
Length: 0.965

Average Veloicty: 1040 FPS

The .251 diameter XTP seems to work well in my Beretta Jetfire (.25 ACP) too...


http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/412801 (http://)

Bullet: 35 gr 0.251 Hornady XTP
Case: Winchester
Primer: CCI
Powder: 1.7 gr Bullseye (Max Load)
Length: 0.845

Average Velocity: 985 FPS

These are my two carry guns (the Jetfire backs up the Mak :p ) and the loads I carry in them. I've tested them for expansion and they seem to expand reliably. I've never had a jam or malfunction with these loads either...