ORIGINAL: oldsmellhound
I took 1 deer last year with the .40 cal 200 grain XTP. I was shooting 100 grains of 777 & Harvestor sabots. 1 shot through the ribcage dropped the buck in his tracks - can't argue with that. However, if you're looking for less recoil, you'll need to back off the powder charge as well as using a lighter bullet - 100 grains of 777 thumps pretty good.
oldsmellhound you have my interest here. I was wondering based on your experience with the XTP... how far away was the buck from you? While you entered the rib cage, what major organs did you notice hit? What kind of internal damage did this small hollow point do to them? Did you get pass through? What would you estimate the live weight of the deer to be? Last, since the deer dropped in its tracks, I am guessing there was an angle to your shot of rib cage towards front shoulder.. was there a lot of meat damage? I intend to hunt a couple days with this bullet because I shoot them with 90 grains of Triple Se7en out of one rifle and their accuracy is outstanding. While I know a .40 caliber or 10mm bullet is large, there is always that little voice in the back of my head telling me to shoot something bigger. All my shots would be very close, so I am guessing the expansion of the bullet would be excellent..
thanks.