Hi Gents Im looking for a bullet that might expand at lower speeds, for some 44 special+P loads out of my leverguns, around 1100-1200fps impact on small hogs over baits. Im keeping noise down to a degree and also overpenetration down to a lesser degree, The XTP's are just a bit hard to expand at the lower ends. Someone suggested the 240 Noser JHP as its more like the older style Hordnaies, basically softer than thr 240 XTP. Thanks for any opinions on this. I dont usually pay attention to expansion recommendations or charts by manufacturers btw. Hornadays for example is all gooned up, they usually need a couple hundred fps more than advertised. Hence asking for first hand reports only. .Im actually a fan of older style bullets, I prefer positive expansion at all speeds.
44 Noser 240 gn JHP expansion question
- Thread starter sixtus
- Start date
- Nov 4, 2004
- 27,137
- 13,657
Welcome to the forum. Although in a big fan of the Nosler 240 gr JHP, the 200 gr JHP gives impressive expansion. You might want to give them a try.
JD338
highoctane
Beginner
- Apr 20, 2018
- 248
- 526
Welcome aboard. As you may know there's different "levels" of XTP bullets. What I mean is, there's two different weights that are classified as "mag's". A 240 gr and a 300 gr. These bullets are tougher than trying to nail jelly to a tree. I would definitely leave these alone with the parameters you seek!
Hornady makes a 180 gr XTP and a 200 as well. You should not have any trouble getting either one of these to expand at the level you seek. On another note, have you considered any of the plated bullets. Ranier makes some good ones.
Divernhunter
Handloader
- Apr 1, 2009
- 826
- 183
I have loaded the 200gr HP from Nosler and it has worked well on deer and black bear for me
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 18,253
- 8,458
Hornady's 44 cal XTP's strike me as pretty tough bullets. I have always liked them, but I don't count on a lot of expansion with them.
As others have said, going lighter and faster, say 180 or 200 gr bullets from Nosler or Hornady will likely get you the expansion.
Roy Yeager may have some worthwhile input here - he's done a LOT of handgun hunting and used a lot of different bullets over the years.
Guy
As others have said, going lighter and faster, say 180 or 200 gr bullets from Nosler or Hornady will likely get you the expansion.
Roy Yeager may have some worthwhile input here - he's done a LOT of handgun hunting and used a lot of different bullets over the years.
Guy
Divernhunter , was load used in a rifle or revolver?
- Thread starter
- #9
Welcome aboard Sixtus. I hope you'll pardon me going a bit off to the side but it is real time experience. I did what little handgun hunting in the early 1970s snd IIRC, Nevada allowed handgun hunts on deer for the first time in IIRC 1973 or maybe 74. I used a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum.
There wasn't all that much available so the first deer I shot was with a Remington 240 gr. factory hollow point. Easy shot at maybe 35 to 40 yard and one and done. Entrance was about an inch as I recall and exit maybe 2.5 to 3.0". The deer did a short run and dropped DRT. The following year I was hunting in the exact same spot and took a deer at about the same distance only this time I was using an Elmer Keith design 240 gr. cast bullet. about the only difference was the cast bullet eighed 250 gr. due to the mix of my alloy. The deer was hit in almost the exact same spot and again the deer did it's short run and dropped. Entrance looked closer to be about .45" and exit about 2.5".
The big difference is the jacket from the Remington round was found embedded in the on side shoulder blade while the lead core punched on through and exited. The cast bullet was not made particularly hard using air cooled wheel weights and just enough tin to cast good bullets It punched though to on side shoulder blade and then the far side shoulder blade.
I'm not knocking Remington and back in that time frame bullets just weren't quite as good as they are now. Good luck with what ever bullet you choose and I hope they work out like you want.
Paul B.
There wasn't all that much available so the first deer I shot was with a Remington 240 gr. factory hollow point. Easy shot at maybe 35 to 40 yard and one and done. Entrance was about an inch as I recall and exit maybe 2.5 to 3.0". The deer did a short run and dropped DRT. The following year I was hunting in the exact same spot and took a deer at about the same distance only this time I was using an Elmer Keith design 240 gr. cast bullet. about the only difference was the cast bullet eighed 250 gr. due to the mix of my alloy. The deer was hit in almost the exact same spot and again the deer did it's short run and dropped. Entrance looked closer to be about .45" and exit about 2.5".
The big difference is the jacket from the Remington round was found embedded in the on side shoulder blade while the lead core punched on through and exited. The cast bullet was not made particularly hard using air cooled wheel weights and just enough tin to cast good bullets It punched though to on side shoulder blade and then the far side shoulder blade.
I'm not knocking Remington and back in that time frame bullets just weren't quite as good as they are now. Good luck with what ever bullet you choose and I hope they work out like you want.
Paul B.
- Thread starter
- #11
Thanks for your reply. I'm actually a fan of softer bullets. If a jacket falls off I'm not too fussed as long as the core kills. I know Remington had the old sjhp with the scalloped jacket design and big lead HP and those were soft. Not sure as they were the same you are referring to? I tried to find some as components but couldn't.
