.45 whitetail bullet recommendations
#89483
07/23/2011 3:10 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3
ken613
OP
stranger
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OP
stranger
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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
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Re: .45 whitetail bullet recommendations
[Re: ken613]
#89486
07/23/2011 10:41 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,655
wapitirod
Shootist
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Shootist
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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.
Last edited by wapitirod; 07/23/2011 3:43 PM.
I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. John Wayne-The Shootist
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Re: .45 whitetail bullet recommendations
[Re: ken613]
#89487
07/23/2011 1:31 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,001
mikefrompa
old hand
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old hand
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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.
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Re: .45 whitetail bullet recommendations
[Re: mikefrompa]
#89488
07/23/2011 1:58 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 71
Bisley Bud
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 71 |
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..
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Re: .45 whitetail bullet recommendations
[Re: Bisley Bud]
#89489
07/23/2011 2:35 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,105
Russell
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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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.
It's not the gun, but the man behind it.
Sheriff Russell Cottle, Ret. USMC; 1967-1970; Vietnam-'68-'69
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Re: .45 whitetail bullet recommendations
[Re: Russell]
#89490
07/23/2011 3:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 293
Muddy
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 293 |
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.
I have friends that have used them too with the same result. Main thing, I have no personal accounts of any failures on deer with that bullet. If you have a bunch, use them.
I like to load them in the 1200 to 1300 fps range.
Dan
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Re: .45 whitetail bullet recommendations
[Re: Muddy]
#89494
07/23/2011 4:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,715
jamesfromjersey
Shootist
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Shootist
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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
Life member-NRA-SCI Member-HHI #2900-HHASA #067 Colt-Ruger-Freedom Arms-and S&W Collector Assoc.s "I have more guns then I need but not as many as I want" "Handgun hunters HAVE to be good"
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Re: .45 whitetail bullet recommendations
[Re: jamesfromjersey]
#89501
07/23/2011 8:24 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3
ken613
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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
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Re: .45 whitetail bullet recommendations
[Re: ken613]
#89507
07/24/2011 4:19 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,655
wapitirod
Shootist
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Shootist
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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 won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. John Wayne-The Shootist
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Re: .45 whitetail bullet recommendations
[Re: ken613]
#89516
07/24/2011 2:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,097
jwp475
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2009
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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 I use Federal mag pistol primers in my H110/296 loads exclusively. There are 2 XTP bullets one is much softer than the other
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Re: .45 whitetail bullet recommendations
[Re: jwp475]
#89521
07/24/2011 4:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,755
johnwilliams
Shooting Master
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Shooting Master
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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.
H.H.I.#8190 Colossians 1:17 And He is before all things,and by Him all things consist!
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