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Post by 308XP on Jul 12, 2004 8:18:38 GMT -5
Any one want to share some experiences, good or bad, that would make a case for shooting an XTP as opposed to an SST or vice versa? Everyone picks a bullet for a reason. If you change bullets there's a reason also. What's your reason? What happened out there?
308XP
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Post by edge on Jul 12, 2004 9:13:13 GMT -5
I will weigh-in here, what is that saying "fools jump in" :-)
IMO, The 250 XTP does NOT belong at Smokeless velocities. It is a great bullet at BP velocities, and I think that it may be marginal at 777 velocities.
1) the low B.C. @ 0.147;
2) the huge Hollow Point results in massive meat damage, reduced penetration, and bullet fragmentation!
3) Hornady has responded to someones email that approx. 2000fps is about MAX.
I used the XTP in the 2001 hunting season with Alliant 2400. and 2002 season with Lil'Gun.
Entrance holes were MASSIVE at close range, in one case nearly amputating a front leg on a frontal shot(40-50yds)!
I did take a nice buck at 195 yds with the 250 XTP, but I would say that this was near Max. distance for this Lil'Gun load.
The SST has a much higher B.C., causes less entrance wound damage, and appears to have a thicker jacket for better survivability.
THESE ARE ONLY MY OPINIONS :-)
edge.
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Post by dave d. on Jul 12, 2004 10:28:32 GMT -5
:)i agree with edge sst's are the way to go!
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Post by mike3132 on Jul 12, 2004 12:48:57 GMT -5
it would depend on what velocity you plan on shooting these bullets. hornady emailed me that they designed the xtp to work at 1800fps or less. to me it would be the best choice for bp/subs speeds.
the sst is the hands down winner at smokeless velocity. bullet performance has a lot to do with the velocity you plan on shooting and the game you are hunting.
i think a 250grn bullet is ideal for deer or smaller game with light skin, less dense muscle and bone. for large thick skin, dense muscle and bone animals like bear, moose, buff, and elk, a 300grn bullet is the trick. mike
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Post by 308XP on Jul 12, 2004 22:19:42 GMT -5
Hey that's good info to know. Just out of curiosity...Is the XTP Mag bullet the same as the XTP. I always assumed [remember what that does] it might be a bit more heavily constructed and not expand as much. Maybe what I'm asking is if they are 2 different bullets what velocity is the Mag bullet designed to work at? Anyone know?
308XP
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Post by RandyWakeman on Jul 12, 2004 22:35:38 GMT -5
I will weigh-in here, what is that saying "fools jump in" :-) IMO, The 250 XTP does NOT belong at Smokeless velocities. It is a great bullet at BP velocities, and I think that it may be marginal at 777 velocities. I qualify, at least for the parameter in the first part. For the last 14 consecutive years, some 30 + deer have fallen prey to XTP's via smokeless powder at Henry Ball's hunting camp. To say they "don't work" is a stretch, as there is a large body evidence that shows the opposite. Or, a lot of deer bodies to be precise, deer that have generously donated their lives to science.  |
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Post by rdtimmjr on Jul 12, 2004 22:50:45 GMT -5
When I set up my early model Savage ML1, I called Hornady about the performance of the 240g and 250 g XTPs at 2300 fps in the smokeless Savage and all I could get from the fellow on the the phone was that this is a pistol bullet. At least he didn't say don't ever never use smokeless in a muzzleloader!  |
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Post by edge on Jul 12, 2004 22:55:30 GMT -5
Randy, no doubt about the fact that you CAN use the XTP, but WHY when there are much BETTER options.
More Whitetails have been taken by 22 Long Rifles than will ever be taken with the Savage muzzleloader, I dare say that ONLY the 30 calibers MAY have taken more!
Does this mean that it is an ideal cartridge? I say NO!
BUT like I said in my last post, this is only MY OPINION.
Use a 22 or use an XTP that is your choice, but I'll take the SST everytime.
edge.
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Post by SW on Jul 12, 2004 22:58:16 GMT -5
2 years ago I shot a small 8-pt(maybe 130#) at 11yds with a 250XTP and 47.5 Ltl Gun(pretty fast 2600+), small intrance hole, didn't exit and mushroomed just like Edge feels a bullet should perform. I haven't experienced the massive wound holes with the XTP(not mag). I've had boiler room hits and shoulder hits. 1st year I used 4200, 2nd and 3rd year used Ltl gun, and last year used V V-110, 1st 3 yrs used XTPs and last yr 250SST, all performed well(except the 2 300XTP Mags which I poorly chose to use).
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Post by RandyWakeman on Jul 13, 2004 0:18:29 GMT -5
-- more Whitetails have been taken by 22 Long Rifles than will ever be taken with the Savage muzzleloader, I dare say that ONLY the 30 calibers MAY have taken more! Does this mean that it is an ideal cartridge? I say NO! edge. I don't anyone that could disagree with you. |
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