250gr XTP recovery

[Hunter26]

This is a recovered 250gr Hornady XTP from a good sized doe shot from a Freedom Arms .454 Casull. I was hunting out of a ground blind and honestly didn't make a great shot. I realized I jerked the trigger as soon as the shot broke. Doe was quartering to me and instead of hitting the front end of the shoulder like I intended, it went behind the shoulder into the ribs. Bullet angled back, went through the length of the deer and bullet was found under the skin by the opposite ham. Deer ran almost 200 yards but had a nice blood trail considering there was no exit. Bullet held together & expanded beautifully.

Shot was 40ish yards. Load was Starline brass, CCI small rifle primer and 2400. I haven't chronoed it, but it's a relatively mild load for the 454, should be around 1400-1500 fps. Retained weight was 236.6 grains.

 

[JD338]

That looks to be perfect performance. Congrats on the doe.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Good info, thanks!

 

[Hunter26]

I've been quite happy with that bullet. Very accurate & not hard to get. Not sure how well it would do in a full power load near 1900 fps.

 

[JD338]

I'm going to be helping a buddy load for his 460 S&W. I suggested that he consider loading 454 Casull instead of full power 460's.
That would be a great bullet for target and hunting around here. Can easily set up for bow range shots.

JD338

 

[bdbrown66]

I've been quite happy with that bullet. Very accurate & not hard to get. Not sure how well it would do in a full power load near 1900 fps.

You wouldn't want that. Hornady lists 1600 fps as the recommended max velocity for the XTP. Above that velocity, you want to use the sturdier XTP Mag bullet, which is 240gr. There are also 300gr versions of both.

I have used both the 250gr XTP and the 240gr XTP Mag bullets in my 45 Colt Henry lever with good results on deer.

 

[Hunter26]

Yep I know they're not made for full power 454 loads. I already have the 240gr XTP Mag's loaded over a case full of H110. Haven't hunted with or chronoed them yet. I still might run some of the 250 grainers faster into jugs just to see how they do.

 

[TackDriver284]

Excellent expansion, I used to use the 210 XTP in my .41 Magnum Classic Hunter before I sold it. Those XTP hollow points are wicked, never came apart and I have shot them into huge hogs as close as 25 yards, one was facing me and the bullet entered the left neck / shoulder junction, and penetrated all the way to the rear hams just under the skin. Hog was around 350 pounds. She took about 3 steps and went down. Used H110 and clocked close to 1600 fps.

 

[RL338]

I do have some of the 300gr XTP for the MZ. I haven’t taken any game with them , but they do make a decent group out of the CVA.

 

[TackDriver284]

I do have some of the 300gr XTP for the MZ. I haven’t taken any game with them , but they do make a decent group out of the CVA.

You will love those bullets.

 

[Hunter26]

I finally chronographed this load and it averaged 1560 fps, a bit faster than I thought. Shoots very well though! I'll keep using them.