Hornady XTP v FTX bullets?

[jski]

What’s the difference? I’ve read a lot of negative things about FTX bullets but then why would Hornady use them for their Critical Defense ammo?

 

[Soonerpesek]

How do Hornady XTP and FTX bullets differ? XTP bullets feature a deep hollow point and serrated jacket for controlled expansion, while FTX bullets have a Flex Tip design for increased ballistic coefficient and terminal performance.

What is the difference in Hornady type? | TheGunZone​

thegunzone.com/what-is-the-difference-in-hornady-type/

 

[jski]

How do Hornady XTP and FTX bullets differ? XTP bullets feature a deep hollow point and serrated jacket for controlled expansion, while FTX bullets have a Flex Tip design for increased ballistic coefficient and terminal performance.

What is the difference in Hornady type? | TheGunZone​

thegunzone.com/what-is-the-difference-in-hornady-type/

Is one better than the other? BC isn’t an issue with handgun loads.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Is one better than the other? BC isn’t an issue with handgun loads.

My only guess is the FTX fills the hollow with the polymer tip, keeping clothing and skin and such from interfering with expansion......that is in a defensive situation tho......??

 

[jski]

My only guess is the FTX fills the hollow with the polymer tip, keeping clothing and skin and such from interfering with expansion......that is in a defensive situation tho......??

The XTP bullets have some substance in the hollow point. I assume something to prevent the cavity from filling up with whatever and preventing the bullet from expanding.

 

[Soonerpesek]

The XTP bullets have some substance in the hollow point. I assume something to prevent the cavity from filling up with whatever and preventing the bullet from expanding.

I musta got it backwards….

 

[Soonerpesek]

FTX…..filled hollow





XTP…not filled




Out of Hornady 10…

 

[Soonerpesek]

I musta got it backwards….

I didn’t…

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, XTP is a traditional hollow point bullet

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

FTX is supposed to offer more consistent expansion at lower velocities and in gel that isn't bare. Notice for the 10mm hornady uses the XTP for critical defense, but for 45acp and 380 auto which are slower velocities they use the FTX.

The FTX 45 185gr used to be sold as reloading components with a cannelure and a green silicone tip vs red, and called them zombie bullets or some such. Have a few boxes. The 185gr FTX feeds in just about anything, where the XTP is a little more picky.

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

There is also the HAP, which is like XTP but conical jacket no petals for "action shooting" vs defense

 

[Hugger-4641]

Short answer, Xtp is a hollow point generally better for stopping a human threat. Ftx will penetrate more before expanding and is generally for hunting, except in the case of the 45acp as mentioned. In that case, Hornady determined that self defense with the slow 45acp was better suited to the Ftx.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Short answer, Xtp is a hollow point generally better for stopping a human threat. Ftx will penetrate more before expanding and is generally for hunting, except in the case of the 45acp as mentioned. In that case, Hornady determined that self defense with the slow 45acp was better suited to the Ftx.

I will state that the entire CRITICAL DEFENSE lineup is FTX bullets…
Unless Hornady changed in the last few months, as that’s the last time I purchased any…
I have them for .380, 9mm, 38 SPL, 357 MAG, 40, and 45 ACP…
The 10mm I have is CRITICAL DUTY line and is their Flexlock bullet…

 

[JmacD]

The FTX is pretty hard to beat. They expand the exact same every time.
I personally don’t get the naysayers. It’s far more effective for its purpose imho

 

[AJC1]

The ftx requires excessive trimming for proper oal in most cases. The 357 loads the brass is garbage after unless you intend to load that bullet again. The only real benifit imo is for tube magazines.

 

[9x56MS]

I have used both in sabots in my 50 caliber muzzle loader and really never noticed a difference on game at all.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I will state that the entire CRITICAL DEFENSE lineup is FTX bullets…
Unless Hornady changed in the last few months, as that’s the last time I purchased any…
I have them for .380, 9mm, 38 SPL, 357 MAG, 40, and 45 ACP…
The 10mm I have is CRITICAL DUTY line and is their Flexlock bullet…

I'll take your word on the others, I only have them in 45, 10mm, and 9mm.
I did take a deer this year with my 45colt and 200 gr Ftx, but it was a handload.

 

[9x56MS]

I also load the FTX in my 35 remington.

 

[NMexJim]

The original FTX was built for lever guns and hunting. The flex tip gives a cushion to the primer in the next bullet in a tube-feed arm. I wouldn't choose it for self-defense over the XTP.

FTX® - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Hornady^® FTX^® bullets revolutionized lever-gun ballistics, creating a whole new level of performance for these popular firearms.

www.hornady.com

 

[Soonerpesek]

The ftx requires excessive trimming for proper oal in most cases. The 357 loads the brass is garbage after unless you intend to load that bullet again. The only real benifit imo is for tube magazines.

None of these require trimming, nor do they need to be in a tube magazine…

 

[DMW1116]

I don’t have anything that uses them except 30-30 and 357. I certainly don’t want to trim the precious 357 brass just for that bullet. I’m pushing a 158 grain XTP about as fast as Hornady will allow. I can’t imagine that won’t do the trick.

 

[JmacD]

I'll take your word on the others, I only have them in 45, 10mm, and 9mm.
I did take a deer this year with my 45colt and 200 gr Ftx, but it was a handload.

They’re impressive on deer

 

[Show Me]

Made and used bunches of 140 Ftx .357. SP101's, GP100's and R92' you don't need to trim brass for them. 296 to the bottom of the bullet. But, my favorite is the 140 XTP, full mag load is very snappy.

 

[AJC1]

I wouldn't trim if I didn't need to, but the brass pickups from the range are all 1.250 vs the 1.280 I run. I recycle below 1.275

 

[NMexJim]

None of these require trimming, nor do they need to be in a tube magazine…

View attachment 1192646

I run the .380 Critical Defense myself. Zero jams, nice round, not too hot, just right.

However, that doesn’t change the fact that the original design was for tube magazines in lever guns. Kept good old boys and their 30-30s in one piece. That they work very well is what has kept Hornady in business all these years.

I happen to come from 30-30 country but never heard of anyone blowing up a tube of rounds because of pointy bullets against flat primers, but I remember them being celebrated as a solution to that problem.