Well Bronko, I really can't complain about the XTPs based on the two deer I've shot with them, but I still suspect the Gold Dot would be a little better.

The second XTP I shot into a deer (high neck shot) was not really a test of the bullet. Even a .45 ball in that location would have dropped the deer on the spot. On the first deer I intentionally shot mid-chest because I wanted to see how the bullet performed. That was the one in my "bullet performance report" (http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/blac...grain-xtp.html).

That one did everything you could ask of a bullet, but it might have fragmented somewhat. Look closely at the internal entrance wound on the left side of the 7th picture in that post and notice the holes to the right of the main entrance hole. I say it might have fragmented because I don't know if those were caused by bullet fragments or bone fragments. There was also a puncture wound through the rear section of the off-side shoulder that exited, which I strongly suspect was a bullet fragment.

So I have to wonder what would happen if that bullet hits a big bodied buck in the shoulder/leg bone. Would it penetrate the way I know a Gold Dot will? I've never had pieces of Gold Dots break off and cause damage outside of the intended would channel.

All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to continue using the XTPs. But if the GDs can match them for accuracy I'll use the GDs.

Sorry for the long-winded response, but I wanted to explain my thinking.