Hornady’s 10mm .400 200gr XTP bullet in Clear Ballistics Gel.

[5pins]

Test Gun: Delta Elite
Barrel length: 5 inches.
Bullet: Hornady .400 200gr XTP (Handload).
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: PACT 1 XP with inferred sky screens.
Five shot velocity average: 1159fps
Gel Temperature 71 degrees.


I have always liked the XTP bullet even though it seems to be overshadowed by some of the more premium bullets available. It seems to normally give modest expansion with deep penetration and I felt it would make a good choice in the 10mm. I worked up a load using Alliant Blue Dot and ended up with a five shot average of 1159fps with a high of 1180fps and a low of 1134fps. 46fps spread is a little more than I would like to see. There was no sign of excessive pressure and I may bump up the charge and see if that brings down the extreme spread. Other than that I’m pretty happy with this load.



The first shot into the bare gel penetrated 19 inches and expanded to .64 inches. The second round went 21 inches and expanded to .65 inches. Unfortunately, the chronograph didn’t pick up either shot.



I then shot two rounds into the heavy clothed gel with the first round penetrated 25.5 inches at a velocity of 1195fps and expanded to .53 inches. Round two hit at 1162fps, expanded to .52 inches and penetrated to 22.5 inches.



Later in the day, I decided to shoot the last round I had through four layers of heavy denim. Unfortunately, the bullet exited the left side of the second block and the 23-inch mark and was found lying on the floor. As you can see the denim retarded expansion considerably.

 

[ATLDave]

Thanks for the post and photos! Incidentally, that kind of ES (and the pressure variations it suggests) is just further confirmation to me of my own conclusions that Blue Dot isn't really the best choice in 10mm... several other powders offer similar or better peak velocities, and are not as prone to being "twitchy."

 

[mcb]

I did some terminal ballistic testing of that same 10mm 200gr XTP bullet about a year and half ago. I was launching it at ~1250fps pushed by 800-X from my S&W 610. I didn't have any ballistic gel or denim to do a proper terminal test of the bullet so I did the best I could by substituting some fresh deer hide and venison. The results were deemed adequate though no bullets were recovered as they all passed through the test media and where lost. That included a bullet that went through the shoulder blade and spine of the first doe.

 

[5pins]

Thanks for the post and photos! Incidentally, that kind of ES (and the pressure variations it suggests) is just further confirmation to me of my own conclusions that Blue Dot isn't really the best choice in 10mm... several other powders offer similar or better peak velocities, and are not as prone to being "twitchy."

People on the 10mm forum seem to like Blue Dot so I thought I would give it a try. So far I like Longshot better.