Hornady Custom XTP JHP VS Hornady Critical Defense Xtp

[dnlgao]

Hey guys, i was looking for a good 9mm 115 grain self defense hollowpoint. I liked the things i was hearing on the hornady's round for 9mm. I went out and bought 1 box of the custom XTP jhp, and one box of the critical defense. i shot more accurately with the custom xtp as opposed to the critical defense. so my question is, besides the little plastic insert inside the critical defense, is there any difference between the two rounds?

Am i going to be giving up performance in any way by using the custom xtp round without the insert?

Thanks.

Dan.

 

[smallbore]

I'm going to guess that "I shot more accurately" means you got a better/tighter group size with the XTP. Speaking only for myself, I'm more concerned with the penetration/expansion performance of my sd ammo. Did you happen to test for comparison?

 

[altitude_19]

Agreed. The ranges you are testing for are probably not practical for self defense applications. You should be more concerned with terminal ballistics performance. Remember hollow points can clog. I would rather have a plastic plug in my bullet.

 

[buck460XVR]

I don't believe in magic bullets. I like accuracy. I'd rather hit a BG in the heart with FMJs than pepper his arms and legs with pretty little red tip bullets that explode into perfect little mushrooms. Expansion and penetration depend on a lot of variables that we as shooters cannot control. We can't control what the BG is wearing when he attacks us or what he may be hiding behind as he shoots at us. We can't control his body size or muscle tone, and we can't control where he'll attack us. We can control our accuracy, and bullets that are more accurate, are deadlier. Standard JHPs worked very well for many years before the "ultimate defense ammo" was invented. They still work very well when placed in the right spot. I recommend folks should use the ammo in their SD gun that they feel most confident with. For me, that is what is most accurate.

 

[DevilDog0402]

Both are quality hollowpoints. My Glock 33 (.357 Sig) has XTPs in it, and I certainly don't feel underarmed

 

[dnlgao]

it wasnt just the groupings being better, the critical defense for me had varied performance. some would shoot low, some would shoot high. again this maybe somewhat me, however, i had a good little quarter sized group of 3 dead center with the regular "custom xtp". Im gonna go ahead and stick with the customs as opposed to the critical defense rounds. i just wanted to know if there was any difference between the standard xtp and the critical defense ones besides the red tip. Any more thoughts guys?

 

[hardluk1]

For carry I use the CD line as it will penatrate clothing and open and hp's my not. Only reason for me. All shoot to POI well enough for a short firearm.

 

[altitude_19]

At what range? If you are testing at 25 yards, the argument could be made the test is irrelevant. IF, however, this variance in accuracy occurs with 7 yards, I would not recommend the ammunition that cannot reliably hit a fist-sized target at this distance. The accuracy certain shooters demand from handgun ammunition is often far and away more than is necessary. If you can hit something vital at 7 yards and get good ballistic performance, you're all set.

 

[CraigC]

Hogwash, accuracy is always a concern and 25yds is the gold standard for accuracy testing. You guys who only shoot at 7-10yds are seriously limiting yourselves.

 

[altitude_19]

How am I limiting myself? I have had to draw a gun 4 times in my life. Fortunately I have never had to discharge afterwards. None of these events took place beyond 25 yards. If you shoot somebody at 25 yards odds are very good you are going to prison.

 

[CraigC]

Sharpening your skill by shooting at longer ranges is not so you can engage a threat at longer ranges. It's to sharpen your skill. It's to add one more tool to your toolbag. The point is that we are preparing for the unpredictable. You never know how it's gonna play out if you ever need to use deadly force against another human being. The one time in my life that I was very close to having to defend myself, I was standing in the open, facing a man standing 30yds away with a rifle. In a trailer park, not the woods. If something like that ever happens to you, will you not regret doing all your shooting at spitting distance???

 

[Erik M]

If you shoot somebody at 25 yards odds are very good you are going to prison.

There are alot more variables in that equation than just distance.

 

[altitude_19]

There are alot more variables in that equation than just distance.

Hence the word "odds."

 

[dnlgao]

Lol. guys calm down. i shoot often at 25 yards, again just to have that skill in my tool bag. However alot of my practical shooting practice and rapid fire, double tap, training tap and rack normally occur at 10 yards or so. I try to get the best of both worlds. Being able to engage a target far away if i must, but normally i try to stay closer. plus my taurus isnt the best as far as accuracy goes anyway. its decent, but not the best. Im looking to a xdm or glock as my next choice. possibly sig.

 

[altitude_19]

I was standing in the open, facing a man standing 30yds away with a rifle. In a trailer park, not the woods.

You should have been running. Confucius say a man who finds himself out gunned should never find himself out runned. All the same let's not shoot for 1 inch groups. Unless your off by more than a foot at 25 yards it won't really matter. I just say that is absurd to ask for the same accuracy from a handgun as you do from a rifle.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I really wish I could read just one of these thread where everyone stays on topic and answers the question without arguing other topics.

As for the ammo, IMO if you have confidence in your ammo you will probably shoot better. If you feel the XTP ammo is better in your revolver I would stick with it since it's a quality SD ammo.

 

[REAPER4206969]

Carry the XTP.

 

[CraigC]

You should have been running.

The situation played out the way it did. We will not be sitting here discussing what I should have done. The only thing relevant is that I did find myself in a self defense situation where my attacker was more than 7-10yds away. Three times that range, as a matter of fact. Luckily for both of us, he was bluffing.

All the same let's not shoot for 1 inch groups.

Let us also not carry a load that shoots into four inches at 25yds when another may halve that. We should strive to be as good as we can be, rather than settling on "good enough".

I just say that is absurd to ask for the same accuracy from a handgun as you do from a rifle.

Nobody said anything about expecting rifle accuracy from a handgun. My only point is that there is much to be learned by bench testing your ammo before using it. Personally, I would rather KNOW that I'm using an accurate load, rather than just relying on wishful thinking. I would also prefer to refine my skill and trigger control. You can get adequate results all day long slapping the trigger at 7yds. Move that target out of your comfort zone and your lack of shooting skill becomes readily and painfully apparent. You are certainly free to do as you see fit. If you are comfortable venturing forth half-assed, so be it. I am not.

 

[altitude_19]

Am i going to be giving up performance in any way by using the custom xtp round without the insert?

Back on topic...reliability of expansion. The plug is there to keep the hollow point from clogging with heavy clothing. I'm not saying it makes it a more lethal "super bullet", like some heart-shot nuts would imply, I'm saying it provides an extra degree of insurance that your ammo will not over-penetrate and result in CIVCAS. And yes, LET'S settle on "good enough." You do it every day, whether you admit it or not. You establish a standard, and decide if something falls within specs or not. Your "good enough" isn't my "good enough" but it's a good enough all the same. SO, how big were your 25 yard groups, and are they "good enough" for you? You said you're sticking with XTP...what were the group sizes vs the Critical Defense?

 

[CZF]

The CD FTX in 9mm seems more accurate in my hands than the
equally superb XTP.

Lower velocity on the FTX means less recoil and the stuff is
like a laser beam in my CZs.

I think that some people would poo-poo a round with less velocity than
most 9mm JHPs, but the superior technology of the Flex-Tip
kind of offsets it.

You really have to try it and see if you are comfortable with lower power but amazing accuracy.

I just got in some .40 FTX, but sold my P-06 a few weeks ago.

I hope you like the pics.

http://www.angelfire.com/amiga2/czid/cz-zone.html

Thanks,

KEV

 

[MikeNice]

I would go with the XTP. It isn't the new gee whiz bullet. It is a tried and tested round that is well regarded for its accuracy and consistency.

The CD just leaves me cold. The loadings seem less consistent than most others. Plus they sacrifice power for recoil reduction. That might be great for those that don't practice much. I rather practice more and use something with a bit more umph.

 

[dnlgao]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the input. Its not for carry, just for home defense, so controlling over penetration was a large part of my decision making. Ive got a magazine loaded with xtp, and one with speer gold dots 124 grain. Both i feel are quality jhps.

 

[BushyGuy]

I have shot both rounds in my SR9 , i prefer the XTP they have better penetration over the CD, the CD expands better thru heavy clothing .

Both are good rounds XTP is great for summer and CD is great for the winter.

 

[altitude_19]

Hmmm...hadn't thought of picking and choosing based on time of year...obvious really. I just hate to hear of ammo being dismissed because it's the "fancy new gimmick stuff." You hear a lot of that from guys who use the word "newfangled" a lot and refused to buy microwaves or cars with automatic transmissions when they first came out. lol

 

[MikeNice]

Its not for carry, just for home defense,

Then you might want to try Hornady TAP-FPD. It is loaded with the XTP bullet, but it uses flash reducing powders. It could be very helpfull in low light conditions.

altitude_19
I just hate to hear of ammo being dismissed because it's the "fancy new gimmick stuff."

I just realized that is what m post sounded like. So, I wanted to clarify. The XTP doesn't have all of the advantages that more modern bullets have. However, it is a tried and tested round that still performs well.