ORIGINAL: driftrider

I've used the Spitfire w/o the polymer tip, in 245gr with the supplied sabot. They fit tighter than heck, but the accuracy is great. I've shot them with both N-110 (44gr) and AA 5744 (41 and 44gr). N-110 provided the best velocity, but accuracy was (and always seems to be) best with 5744 and velocity is still very good and recoil is acceptable.

I shot a 150lb doe with one last year with a spitfire, full broadside from about 50 yards. Bullet went in about 3" above the "elbow" on her front leg, and out the other side a bit lower. It smashed a rib going in and out, and her heart and lungs were blendered completely. Exit hole was almost the size of a baseball, and she dropped at the shot. She is only the second deer I've anchored right where I shot her because I try not to shoot through the shoulder and definately don't take what I consider to be foolish head/neck shots (aim small/miss small). Most run 20-50 yards before they realize that they're already dead.

My only gripes with the Spitfire is that it's a real pain to load because it's very tight, and the cost is prohibitive for anything but hunting. I shoot 250gr Hornady XTP's on MMP standard black sabots for fun, and they work very well on game too. Since they shoot to a different POI than the Spitfires, and my rifle is sighted in right now with them, I'll probably just use the XTP's this year since the season starts in about 2 weeks. I'll probably try to stock up on some of the new TMZ Spitfires after the season is over and they go on sale.

Mike