Question about bullets

[psyprofessor]

1. I just bought self-defense ammo for my 638 SW .38 revolver. The bullets have the designation .38 JHP/XTP. I know that JHP = jacketed hollow points. What does XTP mean? My revolver is rated for .38 special + P. Is this ammo safe for the gun?


2. I just read a warning in my Baretta M9, that one should never fire jacketed bullets after firing leaded rounds. Is this true? The warning reads, "DO NOT ever shoot cartridges with jacketed bullets through a barrel previously fired with lead bullets before the bore is thoroughly deleaded." Explain.

 

[MMCSRET]

XTP in Hornady speak for "Extreme Terminal Performance."

 

[Floppy_D]

1. MMCSRET had it. If your gun is in good working order, the ammo is safe.

2. Lead bullets tend to leave traces of lead behind that, when followed by a jacketed round, can induce unsafe pressures due to friction. Clean your barrel if you ever shoot cast lead bullets.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

XTP is just Hornady's name or trademark for the particular bullet design, standing for EXtreme Terminal Performance. How effective the marketing hype is on the "business end," I have no idea, but it is perfectly safe to shoot in your revolver.

 

[Jim March]

It's safe, but the XTP is a "deep punch design". It will NOT expand out of a snub in either it's 125gr or esp. it's 158gr flavors.

Start researching snubbie loads. The Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P is a top contender, as is the monster Buffalo Bore loads particularly "the king":

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=379946

 

[Ifishsum]

The Hornady XTP is more of a hunting style bullet than a self-defense style. As Mr. March said, it's a deep penetrating/controlled expansion design, and they do require a higher magnum velocity to expand well. It's plenty safe to fire and good quality ammo.