Are Hornady XTP's [still] a top performer?
- Thread starter gofastman
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The human body hasn't changed much in the last couple of decades, if XTP's did the job before, you can be sure it'll still take care of business. Of course, what do I know? I still carry Federal 9BPLE 115gr JHP +P+ (on & off the job).
dawico
Member
XTPs are still loved by competitors for their accuracy, and hunters for their reliable expansion. There may be newer, fancier bullets out there, but XTPs are still as good as they ever were.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
I handload XTPs for a lot of my handguns. I think every handgun I own has an XTP load developed for it.
A few summers back I nailed a groundhog from about 35 yds with a 124 gr XTP out of my 9x23. It performed extremely well, just as I had come to expect from that round. I can't think of too many rounds that might do better than what XTPs have done for me.
Accurate. Consistent performance in the game I've taken with them.
A few summers back I nailed a groundhog from about 35 yds with a 124 gr XTP out of my 9x23. It performed extremely well, just as I had come to expect from that round. I can't think of too many rounds that might do better than what XTPs have done for me.
Accurate. Consistent performance in the game I've taken with them.
The correct answer is no they are not on par with Rangers, Gold Dots, or HSTs.
Alot of people will say they are "Fine" and thats probably true, but they will not perform to the same level as those 3 in the FBI test.
I am shocked that no one has told you this yet. It is well known information.
Alot of people will say they are "Fine" and thats probably true, but they will not perform to the same level as those 3 in the FBI test.
I am shocked that no one has told you this yet. It is well known information.
The Bushmaster
Member
Because I am not a FBI agent and know that a lot of their data has been proven inaccurate I will stay with what has worked for me. My .357 magnum Colt SAA and Ruger .357 magnum Blackhawk have taken deer with excellent results using Hornady's 140 grain HP/XTP. Because humans are about the same size and weight I would expect Hornady XTP's to do well there too.
beeenbag
Member
my ccw round is a reloaded xtp. It is loaded fast and does very well in my opinion.
buck460XVR
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They are the most accurate bullet I have found outta most of my handguns......the only other bullet that comes close is Speer's GDs. As far as I'm concerned, accuracy is my first priority. XTPs may not have the most expansion when it comes to low velocity loads, but the combination of accuracy and penetration is good enough for me. When it comes to RELIABLE expansion and penetration with hunting velocities, I have no complaints with XTPs, when the correct bullet for the job is used.
Kingofthehill
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They are still top performers. Id say even better than Gold Dots from my personal tests.
simple truth is there are TONS of quality HP's outo n the market now. The bigger concern is finding a brand of ammo that you can afford to run 200+rds though your carry/hd gun reliably and have good accuracy with.
Id much rather use 15yr old HP technology that has POI matching POA and runs 100% in my gun over the latest and greatest that is a tad off of POA and has the occasional jam.
My .02c.
JOe
simple truth is there are TONS of quality HP's outo n the market now. The bigger concern is finding a brand of ammo that you can afford to run 200+rds though your carry/hd gun reliably and have good accuracy with.
Id much rather use 15yr old HP technology that has POI matching POA and runs 100% in my gun over the latest and greatest that is a tad off of POA and has the occasional jam.
My .02c.
JOe
MikeNice
Member
I have never had experience wityh XTP bullets loaded by Hornady. However, I have tried them in Fiocchi flavor in the past. From what I experienced, in a .38spl+P they did not expand well at all.
Me and a friend shot them through two pieces of 1/4" plywood with a 4" space in between them. The exit holes were nearly identical to the entrance holes. Using his caliper the measured exit holes were only .006" larger than the entrance hole on average. The bullets were accurate but failed to really expand much at all.
Do they perform any better when loaded by Hornady?
I should probably mention that the gun was a 3" Fire Storm Commanche in .357mag.
Me and a friend shot them through two pieces of 1/4" plywood with a 4" space in between them. The exit holes were nearly identical to the entrance holes. Using his caliper the measured exit holes were only .006" larger than the entrance hole on average. The bullets were accurate but failed to really expand much at all.
Do they perform any better when loaded by Hornady?
I should probably mention that the gun was a 3" Fire Storm Commanche in .357mag.
MikeNice
Member
Actually they do expand when they hit wood. You can see a picture of it in the American Rifleman article about Winchester PDX and Hornady CD. The article is titled "One Problem Two Solutions" and is available on their website.
The reason I ask is because, that day Fiocchi XTP loaded hollow points couldn't best Corbon's old round. However it did better than Magtech Guardian Gold. The Magtech acted like FMJ and did not expand at all.
However, YMMV there are variations from box to box. That is the nature of manufacturing large numbers of anything.
The reason I ask is because, that day Fiocchi XTP loaded hollow points couldn't best Corbon's old round. However it did better than Magtech Guardian Gold. The Magtech acted like FMJ and did not expand at all.
However, YMMV there are variations from box to box. That is the nature of manufacturing large numbers of anything.
What data was "proven inaccurate"? And by whom?
If you mean by a discredited book on the subject, you may want to delve further.
Defense bullets shouldn't expand in wood. Properly designed defense bullets should still expand in properly calibrated gelatin, after passing through a barrier such as window glass or wallboard.
Unless you're planning on defending yourself from a piece of plywood that is.......
MikeNice
Member
Then maybe the Corbon and Hornady rounds we fired are really the ones that failed and the Magtech held up well. I never claimed to be an expert and if I'm wrong about the implications of what we saw I will admit it.
We were shooting plywood mainly to shoot something besides paper. Testing how they expand was mainly a secondary excuse.
We were shooting plywood mainly to shoot something besides paper. Testing how they expand was mainly a secondary excuse.
Full Metal Jacket
member
the xtp's don't generally expand to as wide of a diameter as more modern jhp's like HST or Ranger. i would generally use them for hunting/wild animal protection. they're certainly good for personal defense, but there's better stuff.
xtp's are great at not shattering, or having core/jacket separation.
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MYREDTAIL
Member
For leagal reason's I would not use any kind of a reload's in any of my SD gun's
Full Metal Jacket
member
what legal reasons? 
reloads shouldn't be used due to reliability reasons. never heard of a legitimate self defense shoot that landed the ccw in jail because he used reloads, have you?
reloads shouldn't be used due to reliability reasons. never heard of a legitimate self defense shoot that landed the ccw in jail because he used reloads, have you?
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