44 Mag Hunting - what bullet did you use?

Big bore dinosaur said:
240 xtp was not very tuff at rifle speeds
The XTP MAG was performed much better on impact at those rifle velocities. Shoot strait
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Having shot several dozen deer using both the XTP and XTP magnum, I would agree. I was using these in a .54 and .50 caliber black powder rifle at about 1800 fps. I had a few cases where the XTP 240 gr would fail to penetrate if you hit high in the shoulder blade. Of coarse, I wasn't aiming there but it happens. Never had a complaint with the magnum version.
 
I wanted to understand the difference between Hornady XTP and XTP mag bullets. So looked on Hornady's website, they do not list a 240 gr. XTP mag .430" bullet, just the XTP. Or am I missing somewhere that it is listed?
 
Longwalker said:
I wanted to understand the difference between Hornady XTP and XTP mag bullets. So looked on Hornady's website, they do not list a 240 gr. XTP mag .430" bullet, just the XTP. Or am I missing somewhere that it is listed?
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They do make a 300 grain XTP magnum, so they must have dropped the 240 grain magnum bullet. One would assume that the magnum bullet has a thicker jacket and or harder lead?
 
Agree,^^^ buddy had some 240xtp.. might have been in the older style box..
The 240xtp. Mag have the thicker jacket and the lead is bonded.
My ruger carbine likes the 180 xtp.
Dont think I would shoot deer with those. Fun on steel
 
If using it in a carbine or more powerful magnum revolvers loaded to max you need to go for the XTP-Mag which is designed for both the higher pressures and velocities this application will subject it to.
If you look at reloading manuals for the various calibre revolvers then check the same for the rifle load /bigger framed revolvers of same calibre you will see the bullets have been switched again because of either higher loadings and /or greater velocities hence the XTP & XTP-Mag options.
 
I think there is some confusion between .44 and .45 caliber Hornady bullets. As far as I know Hornady does not make a XTP "Mag" bullet for the .44, but they do make a "Mag" bullet for the .45 caliber. In the Hornady load manual they recommend their 300 gr. XTP bullet .44 for hunting big game like deer and bears. They list the 240 gr. XTP as suitable for "smaller game"
 
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i'd personally opt for commercial cast projectiles, downunder we have a few companys making them, cheap and effective in old school levers.

i use the hardest i can find an was runnin them hot but backed right off now an will look for conventional soft cast in future.
 
Rugger .44 carbine using either 240grain american eagle hollow points,or hornady ftx levervolution,the leger gun pointed ammo works flawlessly in my carbine,only shot 2 deer with the gun,one with each bullet mentioned,didn't go no where but down .
 
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