My father, brother and I just bought new CVA Accuras. We have very little experience with muzzleloaders. I have spent hours reading here and all over the net.

I think that I have been convinced to try the 300gr gold dot. The price is right and I don't think I have read a bad review on them.

My concern is that they may expand too fast. I have used gold dots as a self defense round for years and have always thought of them as a rapid expanding bullet. Are the 300gr .454 (.452)bullets made stronger for hunting?

Can someone give me some idea of what kind of bullet drop I could expect at 125, 150, 175, and 200 yards? I would think the drop would be substantial at 200 yards.

Mountain Gunner

This might give you a starting ideal....

I know Barnes makes a good Bullet....but I have used the Hornady XTP Mags in My ACCURA and other MLer's for years. The XTP Mags expand and are extremely Devestating on any game especially Deer. They hold up great and leave big exit holes and blood trails a blind man could follow.
Im not trying to change your mind from what your thinking about the Barnes but the ACCURA really really likes the Hornady XTP Mags and since they are as good and fly great out of it I thought I would mention this option to you.
I get 1"groups at 100yds and 2"groups at 200yds with them out of the ACCURA, and if it was'nt for that slight mess up on my part I would have had a 1/4"group at 100yds with them on one of my outings.
Plus I have never lost a Deer (with a good hit) using the XTP Mags.
Good luck and I hope you all enjoy your ACCURA's!
(BP)

I forgot to mention what I do and the bullet drop with the 240gr XTP Mags using 105grs of Pyro RS
On one of My ACCURA's I sighted in 3"high at 40 yds and Im dead on at 125yds and about 2"low at 150yds. This is almost perfect for me as I can hold center Lungs on a Deer and be in the kill out to 175yds, the 175 yd mark would be a Heart Shot.
(BP)

Hey there Mountain Gunner. The 300 grain Gold Dots are constructed as hunting bullets for the .454 Casull. I've never had one not exit a deer. If they shoot well from your gun you won't have to worry about performance.

Here's a real world example of trajectory with a moderate load.



Here are entrance and exit wounds on a 103 lb. doe shot at 84 yards.

Entrance.


Exit.

I don't see why the 300g Gold Dot wouldn't be a fine choice for an accurate hunting bullet. I've shot paper with it in my Accura, and it worked just fine. This past season i killed a few deer with the 270g Gold Dot, and it really put the hurt on them. None moved from the spot they were standing when hit. I am still kinda puzzled about the way the bullet dropped deer that were lung shot. Most of the deer i have lung shot in past years with a center fire rifle, or 44 revolver, or muzzle loader rifle, have run quite a long ways. Just don't understand why the ones hit this year with the Gold Dot dropped right there.

Thanks for the reply's! Great info!

Has anyone had any experience with the Gold Dot on Mule Deer and/or Elk?

What is the difference between the XTP and the XTP Mag? I have always considered the XTP a better hunting round but I have read reports of it fragmenting as it is not bonded?

Does anyone have any penetration test comparisons between the XTP, XTP Mag and the Gold Dot?

ronlaughlin
I have had that experence also, I wonder how many others have.

The difference between them is the Mag has a thicker jacket and performs better at higher velocities. If you push a regular xtp too fast, at short ranges you may get separation. xtp performs best at roughly 700 to 1700 fps. xtp mag at 1100 to over 2000 fps.

omegasmoke
The biggest difference is that the Gold Dot is bonded, I have shot quite a few deer with both they both do the job quite well. I prefer the Gold Dot as it drops them on the spot more often. The 250 gr Gold Dot and the regular XTP are good for animals the size of deer and mule deer for elk and bigger the XTP mag and the 300gr Gold Dot are better. It comes down to the fact that both will do a good job used right so its a matter of preference.