First let me say nice deer. But that picture looks very cold.

I think I have to agree on the over power factor for the XTP bullets. Been using them for years and shooting one or more deer each year with them. I have never failed to have more then enough blood for a good trail.

Now as to your situation. I think you may have over powered your XTP. I have shot this saboted bullet using Pyrodex, Clean Shot and the real stuff (Goex), but never really tried to shoot them using more then 85 or 90 grs. of powder. When I switched to BH 209 I shot the same loads that I was used to and did go up to max. Well I found I had the best results with my old tried and true load of 85 grs. You don't say what load you used of the BH 209, but I am thinking you were in the max range.

I will never throw stones at the Barnes bullets, they are great at killing game. But as you hae stated, they are costly. I use the Barnes Expander sabots in my Hawkens Carbine with great results. This is what I got from the Barnes:

This is the entry wound:



This was the exit wound:



As you can see it is a very effective bullet. This shot was taken at about 85 yds.

It sounds like you need more range time and need to run a bunch tests on thhese bullets. I would go back to the XTP and run them using lower powder charges. The XTP is a fantastic bullet with a good track record. You may want to try other bullet combinations in your rifle and have a bunch of fun in the process.

Hang in there and good hunting. And Merry Christmas!