Are Hornady XTP's [still] a top performer?

[cougar1717]

Yes, the XTP is still a top performer and a very good bullet. I've got some recovered 125gr .357" mushroomed to about the size of a penny. The only thing that some might consider more "premium" than this design is a bonded handgun bullet. (IMO the word "bonded" on the box is just a way to get more $ for personal protection ammo since handgun ammo usually does not attain the velocity for jacket/core separation to be of concern. But that is just an opinion.)
Gold Dot, Golden Saber, Hydra Shok, Nosler Partition, Winchster PDX1, Winchester Silvertip, Hornady FTX - are all good.

Also, just be aware that not every box of Winchester Ranger ammo has the PDX1 bullet (the one you want if you're paying for Ranger).

 

[Prosser]

I like em. 400 grains, 1350 fps factory load, and starting at .475" What's not to like?
Recoil a bit, but not bad 38 ft-lbs or so.

I like the fact that expand, but not overly so. I'm not real sold on these modern day parachutes that expand so big, they sacrifice penetration.

That said, I carry 275 grain Speer HP's, at 1560 fps. More blast, less recoil, and, that combination have been known to create HUGE holes in deer:

Something about a hole the size of a two bore rifle, at 1560 fps that reminds me of the old, very effective black powder guns. 50-110 comes to mind.

 

[Bovice]

Is that a spiderweb I see in the cavity of that bullet?

 

[Elmer]

Yes, the XTP is still a top performer and a very good bullet. I've got some recovered 125gr .357" mushroomed to about the size of a penny. The only thing that some might consider more "premium" than this design is a bonded handgun bullet. (IMO the word "bonded" on the box is just a way to get more $ for personal protection ammo since handgun ammo usually does not attain the velocity for jacket/core separation to be of concern. But that is just an opinion.)

Yup. That's just an opinion.

Jacket core separation are common with a lot of handgun ammo.

 

[Prosser]

It's hard to part with those;-)

The 400 grain XTP .475 Linebaugh load was cheaper then 44 magnum for a long time.
Great round, fantastic price.

 

[147 Grain]

As has been said several times:

Hornady is a great company!, but the old technology in the XTP has been passed up by newer designs like Winchester Ranger T (still effective and a little long in the tooth) and Federal's outstanding HST ("Hi-Shok 2") which I believe to be the best on the market in their +P loadings of 147-gr. (P9HST4) and 230-gr. 45 ACP (P45HST1).

__________________

The biggest issue with using the XTP in typical self defense calibers is massive overpenetration with little expansion. The XTP is one eXtra Tough Penetrating "HUNTING" bullet!

 

[Prosser]

Match your bullet to the size of your potential attacker. Wouldn't be using an expanding 147 grain HST, and I have about 500 of them, on a 300 pound hog if I had a better choice, or, for that matter, a 300 pound deer;-)

I Like TWO holes, one in, one out. Not many things going to stop that 400 grain XTP...

 

[bamacisa]

Bottom line is that XTP 's are a good bullet and will work if you do your part. Bullet placement is still critical factor. Also consider if you can find a source that sells them and how much they cost. No bullet is effective if you miss your target.,,, there is no such thing as a magical bullet.

 

[bamacisa]

There are alot of good bullets available. Gold Dots, Golden Saber, HST, , Ranger. Corbon, Hornady Critical Defense just to mention a few. None of them are magical...you still have to do your part. Some may be better for certain conditions, but they all work pretty well. I use Gold Dots and Golden Saber but that doesn't mean that I would not use anything else...I also use Hydra-Shocks and Remington lead semi-wadcutter hollow points. You will be well armed with most any preminum defense loads.

 

[788Ham]

I have reloaded XTP's since Hornady came out with them, for .357 and .44 mag, 180, 240 and 300 grain for the .44, 125 grain for the .357. In testing the 300 grain .44's awhile back, no, I didn't have the gel set-up, no need for me. I dug the spent bullets out of the wet dirt, huge mushrooms, almost the same size as Prosser's. As far as terminal performance, I'd think and say so, this is why I reloaded more than 10 rounds after seeing how the 300 grainers acted. As far as being worried about whether I shot the BG with factories or my reloads, I couldn't care less, he chose to come to my house without invitation, he can leave with whatever size holes I give him. It's total BS these attorney's have nothing better to do, than try to legalize burglary/wanton killing over what type of bullet the perp was blown away with, hand loaded or otherwise! I'll continue to buy and use Hornady's, not into advertising hype.

 

[9teenEleven]

I load 147gr 9mm xtp. While I have found amazimg accuracy across the board, their expansion seems to be unreliable. Some will open up beautifully; a few won't open at all. If I were loading for SD in 147, the xtp would be an ok choice, but not my first.

 

[147 Grain]

Amen!

There are many other options with a better balance of penetration and expansion to create a larger wound channel: namely Federal HST (P9HST4 +P) and Winchester Ranger T (RA9T), both in 147-gr.