Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
#195659
11/12/2018 3:52 AM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 96
IAshooter
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OP
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What's everyone's favorite deer hunting bullet and why? I have been out of the handgun hunting game for the last couple of years but I'm back now. Just got a new Ruger Blackhawk Bisley Hunter and topped it off with a Bushnell Trophy 2-6X32 scope. I now have over 100 pieces of once fired brass so I'll be ordering dies/bullets and start loading for myself soon and am torn between trying 180, 200, or 240 grain projectiles to use. I like the fast/flat trajectories of the lighter fare but realize there's more "thump" to be had with the heavier ones. Help me decide where to start guys! Thanks.
Hunt, Fish, Eat, Sleep
Patriotic, Independent, Veteran, Atheist
BIG fan of the 2nd Amendment, even BIGGER fan of the 1st Amendment!
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: IAshooter]
#195660
11/12/2018 4:57 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
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Size helps with momentum and penetration. Once you have enough penetration, the issue is damage which comes with reliable expansion and speed. I havent seen a deer yet i needed a particularly heavy bullet for so for me In 44 mag itd be a 200-225 gr xpb or a 240 gr aframe.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: tradmark]
#195664
11/12/2018 10:54 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 750
bluecow
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old hand
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cast 240 gr semi wadcutter. poking along at about 1100-1200fps. thats all i use for everything. then im not hunting big bears,elk, or shooting at long distance. 75 yards would be a booming long way.
Everything before "but" is B.S.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: bluecow]
#195670
11/12/2018 6:44 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 818
sixshot
old hand
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old hand
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I've used the Keith #429421 cast bullet for over 50 years & it's never failed me from any angle on deer, elk, bear antelope or bull frogs. I've never recovered a Keith solid.
Dick
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: sixshot]
#195673
11/12/2018 8:11 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
Zee
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240gr Hornady XTP pushed as fast as I can get them going in the respective firearm.
Inexpensive Accurate Effective
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: Zee]
#195675
11/12/2018 8:24 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 102
Steve in PA
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Another vote for the 240 XTP. I've taken several deer with this bullet.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: Steve in PA]
#195678
11/12/2018 10:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 848
magman
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old hand
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240 xtp on top of some 296.
NRA LIFE MEMBER NAHC LIFE MEMBER
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: magman]
#195680
11/12/2018 11:46 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 206
FA834ME
enthusiast
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enthusiast
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Can't go wrong with 240 XTP and 296
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: FA834ME]
#195681
11/12/2018 11:51 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 96
IAshooter
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OP
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Looks like the 240gr XTP is becoming the clear front runner. Thanks for the responses guys.
Hunt, Fish, Eat, Sleep
Patriotic, Independent, Veteran, Atheist
BIG fan of the 2nd Amendment, even BIGGER fan of the 1st Amendment!
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: FA834ME]
#195682
11/12/2018 11:53 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,596
racksmasher1
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veteran
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I like the XTP also, H-110& 296, have served me well.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: racksmasher1]
#195684
11/13/2018 1:59 AM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 543
ruger4570
addict
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Ditto on the 240 XTP over H-110.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: IAshooter]
#195686
11/13/2018 5:32 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 204
TCScout
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member
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Another vote for 240 XTP and W296
Post Tenabras Lux
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: TCScout]
#195687
11/13/2018 7:11 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 526
sw282
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: sw282]
#195700
11/13/2018 8:38 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 818
sixshot
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Hey sw282, we almost got them! Only lost something like 10-2!!!
Dick
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: sixshot]
#195704
11/14/2018 1:15 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2
jp49
stranger
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stranger
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Accurate moulds copy of Elmer's SWC. Works every time.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: jp49]
#195705
11/14/2018 1:42 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,434
H2OBUG
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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240 XTP #2 would be that factory Remington 240
If it jams force it! If it breaks it needed replacing anyway.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: IAshooter]
#195706
11/14/2018 8:18 AM
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 68
Hendog
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: Hendog]
#195710
11/14/2018 5:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 818
sixshot
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old hand
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We're getting are butts kicked!!
Dick
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: Hendog]
#195712
11/14/2018 8:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 164
rougerocco
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Well I have had good luck with the XTP, I am interested in everyone's or ya'll (for my friends in the south) Option of the Speer Deep Curl? is it too much for deer?
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: rougerocco]
#195713
11/14/2018 9:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,861
Franchise
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I really like the Deep Curl bullets...they're bonded and inexpensive
The Eyes are Useless, When The Mind Is Blind
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: Franchise]
#195714
11/14/2018 10:42 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 164
rougerocco
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: Franchise]
#195716
11/15/2018 2:03 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: rougerocco]
#195717
11/15/2018 2:10 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
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I've killed more deer with the 240 xtp than any other I've used and they're extremely accurate in everything I shoot them in. I do have some of the 270 deep curls loads up for my FA 83, they shoot great, but I haven't tested their performance on deer yet.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: IAshooter]
#195719
11/15/2018 3:58 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 52
billyb
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journeyman
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I don't reload. My Encore shoots the Leverevolution 225 grain bullet very well.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: IAshooter]
#195720
11/15/2018 4:36 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 920
billa
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old hand
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Same here - 240XTP over 23.0 grains of H-110 or WW296.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,... " Matthew 28:19
Handgun hunter since 1979 - haven't used a rifle since! HHI member #992, NRA, SCI.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: KRal]
#195727
11/15/2018 5:11 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 164
rougerocco
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member
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I've killed more deer with the 240 xtp than any other I've used and they're extremely accurate in everything I shoot them in. I do have some of the 270 deep curls loads up for my FA 83, they shoot great, but I haven't tested their performance on deer yet. Have to test them out in the Spring with the boys down in Ohio!
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: rougerocco]
#195728
11/15/2018 9:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,861
Franchise
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The Eyes are Useless, When The Mind Is Blind
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: Franchise]
#195729
11/15/2018 10:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 765
wheelguns
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Had varying results with both the xtp's and cast some good some not so good. Not saying they don't work,they both killed the deer. I just prefer predictable results. That's why I lean towards Nosler Partition and Swift A-Frame. I base this solely from my personal experience. Kim and Dick have taken considerable amounts of game and I respect there input. Maybe may experience is an Anomaly.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: wheelguns]
#195733
11/16/2018 2:22 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
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Norm, I much prefer the Partitions over the xtp's, but I have no experience with the Partition in 44. I have just recently acquired my first Partitions in 44(2 boxes), but haven't had the time to load any yet.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: KRal]
#195740
11/16/2018 6:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
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Considering the fact that Speer 240 grain Deep Curls cost the same or less than XTPs, the choice for me at least is obvious. I've seen too much hit or miss with XTPs to trust them fully.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: Whitworth]
#195741
11/16/2018 7:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 818
sixshot
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old hand
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Since I don't use jacketed I just like to joke a little but just about any jacketed bullet will work if things are ideal. The 2 variables in hunting that you can't control are distance & angles. That's why most guys use maybe a little more bullet than they need. I've never used the 240 gr deep curl Max mentions but I have used the 270 gr deep curl to take one elk & it worked great. I'm just guessing here but I'd say the 240 Speer might have an edge over the 240 XTP if things were less than ideal.
Dick
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: sixshot]
#195742
11/16/2018 7:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359
SChunter
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I've killed more deer with the 200 gr XTP in the 44 (run faaaast) than the 240's, but tend to gravitate to the Factory 240's these days for convenience. And they shoot super well out of my FA.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: SChunter]
#195746
11/16/2018 8:35 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 765
wheelguns
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old hand
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SChunter, how does the 200gr XTP hold up when pushed hard? I'm getting 1325fps out of my 5 1/2" model 97 in 44 special.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: wheelguns]
#195747
11/16/2018 9:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209
REDHAWK1954
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Pooh-Bah
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I tried loading the 200 grain xtp in my 14 inch contender. I was getting 1950 fps and great groups but it blew up in the first gallon jug of water I shot it into at 30 yards.
Last edited by REDHAWK1954; 11/16/2018 9:35 PM.
Michael Joe Moore
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: wheelguns]
#195749
11/17/2018 1:18 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359
SChunter
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SChunter, how does the 200gr XTP hold up when pushed hard? I'm getting 1325fps out of my 5 1/2" model 97 in 44 special. Norm, I have a collection of recovered bullets that I'll post...got an exit about 50% of the time, but the terminal effects were impressive. Note - I wasn't quite getting the 1900+ fps that Michael was with the Tender, but I was running a "max plus" load in the Redhawk
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: IAshooter]
#195751
11/17/2018 2:09 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
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Shootist
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I don't really know how many deer I've killed with the 240xtp 44 mag, but it's been more than a couple. I've only retrieved one bullet from a whitetail and this is it.... It was retrieved from underneath the hide of the offside shoulder of this 252lb Illinois buck.... Look close and you can see the bullet under the hide. The load was 24.5gr of H110 and shot from a 7.5" FA. Shot was broad side at 60 yards. When I removed the bullet, it was a picture perfect mushroom. While cleaning the bullet, I dropped it on some concrete and the core seperated from the jacket. Bullet failure??? I guess it depends on how you look at it. There are betters choices for better/more predictable bullets than the xtp's, but for whitetail, they work very well. There's alway lots of internal damage and more than not, two holes. That being said, I wouldn't go hunt African plains game with an xtp. Xtp's are plentiful, inexpensive and very accurate; that's what's great about them.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: KRal]
#195752
11/17/2018 4:19 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
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Yes it is. I think it depends how one defines favorite. I would use all the above on whitetails. Im just smitten by a bullet that opens on whitetails but can be used on a waterbuff, then grab the gun and go smack down an elk so i may be looking at it a bit differently. I havent had a gun that wouldnt shoot xtps?s accurately and yes they are affordable. If hornady would bond em like theyre doing for their africa lines without raising the price much we would be onto something good i think. Btw nice buck Kim!!! What a beauty!
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Re: Favorite deer bullet - 44 MAG
[Re: tradmark]
#195763
11/17/2018 6:08 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
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Thanks, Mark. I agree 100%. A bonded xtp would be a very interesting bullet. Seems it could be a fairly easy option being they already have the capabilities.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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