The Max muzzleloader test? i saw that also and it was a .260 gr wasn't it? IMHO the Barnes are the best M/L bullet on the market but pricey. you could shoot Barnes and practice with "cheap" same weight bullets like speers plain jane jacketed bullets for instance. there are others also.the speer gold dot/ deep curls are about the same price as XTP's with excellent terminal performance. another option..i will say the 300 gr gold dot/deep curl shows a lot of long range promise and a lot of members here use the .250 and 300 gr with excellent success.. do a search. just throwing some options out at yah.. Ray