Hornady FTX

Bought some of hornady's FTX in 45 colt. Had to shave down casings from 1.275 to 1.215. Which now means cases are useless for other bullets. Can't seat bullet where case rim meets groove around bullet, or overall length is too short by around .005". Can't get a crimp on bullet with Lee dies case too short, from what I understand hornady has a die that can (I don't but plan on getting one). Plan on shooting out of ruger vaquero and a single shot H&R rifle. Only loaded 50 didn't want to trim any more cases will reload at least one more time since I bought 100 bullets. Won't be buying these bullets for any other caliber I understand cases have to be trimmed down quite a bit with others too. Just wondering if anybody has had any experience with any of these FTX bullets.

Not with the bullets, but do with the brass. Bought some once fired and the Hornady cases all were short, ticked me off. I really don't think the "tip" is worth it, will stick with XTP's.

You could still use "normal" bullets in the short brass with a reduced charge. Or get yerself a Schofield.

I'm not a fan of Hornady or Winchester brass in certain calibers. The only brass I shoot in my 475 or 454 is starline.

I agree totally. Starlite makes the best brass I have, hornady's brass has too many variations I've found..

I'm using starline brass it's just the hornady FTX bullets which requires that the cases be shorter. I don't believe I'm gonna get no schofield ill just stick with 45colt.

I've loaded the FTX for the colt with out trimming the cases down, but I was using them in my 454 so the overall length was not an issue. I would measure my overall cylinder length and then figure out how much I would have to trim the cases down to fit that. I would never use the Hornady recommended case lengths because they are always shorter than any other case out there be it 45 colt, 454 Casull, or 357 mag.

Now as to the bullets, I would not trust them for taking game. All my expansion tests, and the ones that I have seen online for that bullet from a pistol are mediocre. I even tried their FTX in my black powder rifle (2000fps rough muzzle), at 50 yards it did not expand at all. I recovered the bullet fully intact, could have reloaded and shot it again. Never found that deer, she ran for a mile and I lost her in a field, almost no blood trail despite putting the bullet through her broadside in the boiler room.

Just an update I was able to get a crimp on the FTX with a buddy's RCBS die. I shot em up earlier today and they grouped pretty well. I just finished reloading the rest, I might buy em again if I come across any but I won't go through the trouble of ordering any.

Ok I have not shot the FTX but the SST and the same results. No expansion at all. I did have an XTP 240 grain not expand at all this past year too. It did not hit any bone though. So my question is this what bullet will expand even if not hitting bone at about 1800 fps? 44 or 45 caliber depending on what gun I am using. 44 mag contender or possibly CVA scout rifle or muzzleloader.

XTP or XTP Mag

Everything I have heard about the Barnes bullets is positive. They have some of the most perfect, even expansion I have seen.

For deer sized game I think they would be about perfect. Larger heavier boned game like elk, moose and bear I think I would stick with a hard cast WFN.

I've heard good things about the Barnes too and I am playing with some in my 300 Rum but there is a major price difference between them and the XTP's. The XTP's have taken everything up to water buff by guys on here without a failure so I would be comfortable with them. I shoot the 240 and 300 Mags in my 454, the 400 Mags in my 475 and the 250 and 300gr standard XTP's in my 45 Colts. I've just started loading the 200's in my 460 Rowland. If you want massive expansion go with the standards but if you want controlled expansion with excellent penetration go with the Mags. The Swift A Frames are excelent too but then your back to over a buck a bullet which for hunting I don't mind but if you like to shoot much it gets spendy in a hurry. The Speer Deep Curl is another one I haven't tried but I've heard good things about and the price is in the same range as the XTP's.