.45 whitetail bullet recommendations

Hey everyone. My first post here.

I'm looking for bullet recommendations for my .45 colt for whitetails.

One I'm very interested in is Hornady's 250 gr XTP as I've got several hundred of them.

Would also like to hear anyone's thoughts on a jacketed bullet (like the XTP) vs. hard cast. Pro's and Con's of each.

Any specific loads you're willing to share would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
Ken

that would be an excellent bullet for whitetail. The jacketed vs hardcast debate has been worn out but with white tail you don't need the penetration of a hardcast which is their major pro. In general it's easier to find an accurate load with jacketed bullets and the expansion and shock caused by the expanding bullet is impressive. The standard xtp is excellent for thin skinned game and the xtp mag has taken everything up to big bears and buffalo. The only thing I wouldn't use the xtp mag on would be rhino and elephant. I use either the standard or mag xtp's in everyting from 38's to 475's. If your not aware of the difference between the standard and mag the standard has a jacket that ends at the top of the hp opening and the lead is exposed the mag has the lip rolled over into the hp with a cup inside the hp for slower more controlled expansion.

Welcome ken! The Hornady 250 gr. xtp is a fine choice. Also the Nosler Partition will work great also(260 gr.) It just so happens that I just worked up a load using the 250 gr. xtp in my 454 and it is the best one yet(3/4 in. group at 50 yds.)If you want the real lowdown on the Hornady 250 gr. xtp, ask jamesfromjersey. He is the man! good shooting.

Ken,

You might also look at the Speer 250gr.Gold Dot.It is a bonded bullet and seems to shoot just as good as the XTP in my .45lc Ruger Bisley Hunter..Good luck and welcome to the group..

Welcome, Ken. The 250gr Horn XTP is a good bullet and since you have several hundred on hand you can use them with no 'worries'. Hornady advises this bullet operates best at muzzle velocities between 800 to 1600 fps, so you can run it from mild to wrist bustin'. Good luck.

Welcome Ken

The 250XTP 45 is a great bullet for whitetail deer. In my experience blood trails on double lung hits could be tracked from a helicopter in the dark.

Kenney, I`ve used the 250gr XTP to take a bunch of game and when placed in the lungs it never failed...Good luck.James

Thanks for the welcome everyone. I'll start with the xtp's then. Looking at Hodgdon's website, looks like H110 and Lil'Gun should get me there. I've read some info that says H110 requires mag primers gor good ignition. What's your all's experience on that.
By the way, revolver is a Blackhawk.
Thanks
Ken

The most important thing is to use whatever is specified in the load data, the load manuals will always specify whereas privately passed on data may not. Mag primers do increase pressure so it's best to follow the manual.

I use Federal mag pistol primers in my H110/296 loads exclusively.

There are 2 XTP bullets one is much softer than the other

250XTP,good bullets for whitetail as long as speeds are kept below 1600f.p.s. in revolvers and above that speed go to the 240XTP as there made for max speeds.