Originally Posted by
bronko22000
I want a bullet that is accurate (2 MOA) and expands at moderate velocity, and either expends all of its energy in the animal or has just enough to pass through on a broadside shot.
But as for tracking an animal - that not only depends on the shot but also on the animal itself. I've hit deer in the same spot that either dropped right there or only went a few yards to those that took off like a scalded cat. I believe it depends on their 'alert' status. I've also read that it depends what position the heart is in (relaxed or contracted) at the shot. But that's just here say and cannot be proven.
That 44-cal XTP (regular) in 300 grain did well on my pine tree-trunk tests over the weekend.
But wait, hold on to your hat, when I tell you what the 2nd best one was. Now this test was with five different bullets and I gauged the results on penetration and the width of bark that was missing after the shot.
Are you ready?...... believe it or not, the bullet that left the biggest dent in that Michigan pine was a 240gr T/C Cheapshot. OMG, I couldn't believe it myself.
BTW..... My 270gr Powerbelt Platinum left a bigger hole in that tree trunk than my 405gr Powerbelt lead HP. On a side note, I always use a fiber wad first, prior to loading any Powerbelt. In ending, I was shocked as to how little that tree trunk was marked, using a 405gr bullet.
The 5th bullet in that test was the 200gr 50/40 Hornady SST. Left damage to the trunk on the same level as the Powerbelt Platinum...... darn good bullet there too.
I had heard prior reports on that el-cheap Cheapshot exiting deer routinely..... like 40-50% of the time. I never believed it until the size of that trunk imprint convinced me. Impressive.
I like these soft pine tests better than the thin board / carpet / phone book waterjug tests. Last year the winner was the PA Conical Maxi-bullet in 270gr. The lead mushroomed into the pine tree, leaving a mushroom between the size of a nickel and quarter. The only similar conical I tried this year was the Hornady Great Plains 385s. It did not leave any lead whatsoever in that tree trunk.