Hornady XTP

[Jkwas]

I have a 3in model 10 revolver. I use 125gn gold dots in my snub, and have fired them in my M10. In the M10 they are pussycats. I noticed that Hornady makes their XTP line in 125gn and 158gn. They both have the same "published" energy, but the 158gn is 100fps slower (800 vs 900) at the barrel. Would the 158 be a better penetrator than the 125, and does anyone have any experience shooting this ammo in a 38?

 

[MICHAEL T]

"the 158 be a better penetrator" S

Should be. My only experiance with XTP has been in 32 auto Haven't got 1 to expand yet. I went back to CorBon they expand and I can feel the difference in recoil.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

As noted above the 158 grain load should go deeper. I have not launched them at 38 special velocities. However:

At 357 velocities they are very good preformers, and I have found them to be very accurate.

 

[xring44]

Unless Hornady has droped them recently, they also have a 140 XTP in .38 caliber, a nice compromise. I have had excelent accuracy with all XTP bullets in several calibers. Good bullet!

 

[Jkwas]

So I shouldn't be afraid to use them as a defense load. It seems to be the big argument. Penetration or expansion. Ideally, both. It took a long time to find the right blend for my Snub nose, and now that I have a K frame, I was thinking of a heavier slug for deeper penetration. I know the xtp doesn't expand as well as the gold dots etc. I thought that being the M10's are supposedly set up for 158gn, I could take advantage of the heavier gun to absorb the extra recoil of a heavier bullet. It seems to me that the reduced expansion would be compensated by the deeper wound channel and better penetration to the vital organs. Is my thinking flawed on this?

 

[bpisler]

Between these 2 XTP's i would use which
ever was the most accurate from your
revolver.If there are both accurate then
it's a toss up.I haven't seen the 140gr
TP's in 38spl around in a while,you
might find them on the internet or a
local shop.