Doug, which 240 grain XTP bullet were you using?



Bingo!!!! A lot more bang flops too. Most of my deer and hogs are shot from tree stands.

After I thought this one over I decided not to guess, why? Well after shooting 240gr XTP's for over 15 Years I have seen some remarkable Entrance and Exit Hole's made by them.
On a few occasions I have seen Entrance Holes as big as the bottom of a can of COKE and the same for Exit Hole's. So this one can go either way.
(BP)

I still don't see a problem with the performance of this bullet. However like Falcon said, "What type XTP did you use?" I personally don't use the magnum bullets in my ML's. They were meant for the lever guns, using centerfire cartridges.

Afte seeing the entry and exit holes, I bet you had a lot of blood trapped in the body cavity. Did you shoot it from the ground?

I used the T/C XTP with the black mag sabots. They come in boxes of 30 at Gander Mnt. I also have the Hornady with the green sabot but did not use it on that day.

The shot was from 12 feet up in a tree stand at about 120 yards. So I guess it was more of a level shot.



D

Hey thanks for that SL. Good info there. I'm still learning. It's a big bridge to cross after killing many deer with riffled slugs (12 gauge) over the years, but I am doing it. :)




D

There are two 240 grain XTP bullets. One is the 240 grain .430 XTP and the other is the 240 grain .452 XTP magnum. The two bullets can behave very differently on deer. The 240 grain .452 magnum bullet is very tough and may not expand on a deer if bone is not hit.

i use the .430 bullet. A couple guys i sometimes hunt with use the .452 bullet on hogs but not on deer.

The bullet on the left is the 240 grain .430 XTP bullet. The 240 grain .452 XTP magnum bullet has a nose like the bullet on the right.

Doug100g

Normal lead copper bullets will normally provide a larger exit than entrance hole.

The bullets I try shoot are geared more at penetration than flay expansion. But in that penetration they must provide a dramatic would in between the entrance and exit. Because of the a .458 bullet going in will make about a 1/2" and coming out expeanded to 3/4" they make a slightly larger hole... in the norm.

A normal lead copper bullet will do some things differently.... It will go in being somewhat near 1/2" and when the pass through they might come out more on the 1" side. Usually resulting in a larger exit hole. Also because the expand larger - closer to 1" they tend to slow down and loose penetration. These same bullets can and often do close to same amount of damage in between the layers of hide.

This being my favorite lead/copper regular priced bullet... You can see how much expansion has taken place and how with it's new surface area will slow down quicker than the Nosler, Barnes, Lehigh.



Also remember these are bonded copper/lead bullets that are engineered to provide controlled expansion. Compare these to that expanded Nosler and you can see what I mean by surface area. You can see the difference.

Rifled slugs act a bit different that the bullets you might be using now. The thing is I think you are using your capacity of investigation to find out and get suggestions.

ML hunting is a great activity... you will make your way along... make some decisions and some choices - learn and end loving the activity... A little bit will never be enough....

@ Falcon. The XTP on the left is the one I am using. Thanks for the clarification.

@ Sabotloader: That expertise is what I was looking for. I think the light bulb is going on.

@ BP: What you are saying is making sense to me.



D

Doug100g

When it becomes a full bright light and not a night light you will never turn back from ML shooting - you might even start all hunting with a ML..

mike