Anyone tried Hornady XTP ammo for handguns?
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Gordon
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Only the "Combined technology PREMIUM($) bullet is better IMHO! XTP's rule the roost for a reasonable priced hunting bullet IMHExperience.
caz223
Member
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.
I've had fair luck with other brands, but hornady seems to work the best for me.
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
http://64.177.53.248/ubb/Forum78/HTML/000281.html
brad cook
Ben Shepherd
Member
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.
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
Moderator In Memoriam
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Hello. If interested, here's some observations on XTP's:
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/HornadyXTP.htm
Best.
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/HornadyXTP.htm
Best.
Jim March
Member
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Overkill for a carry load, heavy hitter on game, even elk sized game.
10mmshooter
Member
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!
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!
BHPshooter
Member
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.
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
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.
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
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Hornady XTP
I use 180 gr. 10mm JHP/XTP (#9126) and 300 gr. 44 Mag JHP/XTP (#9088) and I have never been dissatisfied.
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
Member
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.
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.
As usual, the success of a product's marketing has only a passing correlation to the efficacy of the product.
Mannlicher
Member
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.
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
Moderator In Memoriam
I like the XTPs - - -
- - 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
- - 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
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
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
Member
I've only handloaded my XTPs so far, but does anyone know where factory loads can be found at a good price?
Wes
Wes
Johnny Guest
Moderator In Memoriam
Good guess - -
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.
Johnny
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.
Johnny
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