OK, don't beat me up too much on this one, I'm still very new to MLer shooting.

I have been trying various different bullet/sabot/powder/primer combos out of my new Optima.

I've found a couple that shoot great and that I could easily live with.

I'm now just trying other things to see what else works good (and I have to admit, I just like shooting the MLer!)

To that end, I got a pack of the "TC XTP's with "MAG sabots".

I know they're Hornday bullets, they were 240 gr. and I believe they're the XTP MAGS.

Can anyone explain the difference between the XTP's and the XTP MAGs?

Also, what seems to be the best performer by weight, the 240, 250 or 300??

Which might be the better terminal performer on deer between 50-150 yds?

The 240's I tried shot pretty good, slightly less than a 1 1/2" 3 shot group at 100 yds with 100 gr BH209 and the crush rib sabot (the crush ribs really seem to shoot the best out of my gun)

Thanks for your insights!

i've used the 240 grain .430 XTP bullet since 1999. It has taken 20-25 deer and a few hundred wild hogs. It has done a very good job for me. Have also used the 240 grain .452 XTP Mag bullet to take a few hogs. It also did a good job. i prefer the .430 bullet because its more accurate when fired from my CVA Stag Horn.

I've never used the 250 grain .452 XTP bullet. There are also two different 300 grain XTP bullets: The .430 XTP and the .452 XTP. I have very limited hunting experience with the 300 grain .430 XTP bullet and no hunting experience with the 300 grain .452 XTP bullet. The .430 bullet has two cannelures: It's used in the .444 Marlin and some handgun rounds.

The term "Mag express sabot" refers to the sabot not the bullet.

It can get kind of confusing, there are several different types of XTP's close in weight to each other. Here are some of the ones you are talking about:

.452 250 grain XTP
http://www.hornady.com/store/45-Cal-.452-250-gr-HP-XTP/

.452 240 grain XTP mag
http://www.hornady.com/store/45-Cal-...40-gr-XTP-Mag/

.430 240 grain XTP
http://www.hornady.com/store/44-Cal-.430-240-gr-HP-XTP/

The .452 300 grain vs. 300 grain MAG are easy to tell apart - the MAG's have 2 cannelures and the regulars have 1.

I do not have any experience with the MAG versions, only the regular ones - specifically the .430 cal 240 grain XTP, and the .452 250 grainers. My 2 hunting buddies have used these bullets for the past 8 years at least and have taken dozens and dozens of deer with these 2 bullets. I can't say that I noticed a huge difference in terminal performance between these 2 bullets, it was fairly similar. They normally used 80 - 90 grains T7.

I do like the XTP's, and they do very well. For deer sized game they just plain get the job done. Now there are probably better bullets out there, but for the price they are hard to beat.

The Mag's are designed for higher velocities, but the non-mag's have worked well for us with moderate powder charges. If you want to use 110 - 120 grains of powder, then the mag versions might be an option...

I believe the 240gr XTP's that come in the TC 30 Pack are .430, they call the Sabots (Mags) Im not sure why and someone correct me if Im wrong on this.
I use nothing but the ones that come in the 30 Pack from TC out of all my CVA MLers, they shoot great, give me 1"groups at 100yds and I've taken many many deer with them and never lost one.
(BP)

I have killed deer with all 3 weights and all 3 versions of the 300g. The most accurate I have found of them all is the .430 300g. I DO like the .452 300g MAG but some folks do not like them because they don't believe they open up well enough on whitetails. All of my shots are quite close-95% are less than 50yards so I have not had any trouble with the MAG opening up and it's wonderful for taking out shoulders.

I have no reservations hunting with any of them, but if I was forced to choose just one, it would be the .430 300g. My $0.02 if you wanted it not.

I ASK HORNADY ABOUT THE T/C BULLET .452 with mag black sabots 30 per box
the sabot is mmp24
I was told the bullet is the xtp mag

I believe there are too many bullet with sabot packs such as the Thompson Center pack that is being referred to, along with the Thompson Center Shock wave to name 2 that I am aware of, that do not state the caliber of the bullet included in the package. I think that this could cause a dangerous situation to occur when it seems to me that it would be a simple matter to include the bullet diameter on the package that the bullet/sabot combination is sold in. I think that with this site and the attention it gets from the general public that shoots or is interested in muzzleloaders, we as members should request the manufacturers to correct this matter. We may know better, but if someone were to switch bullets and sabots in that package with others they might have on hand trying to get a better load developed, and use the wrong size bullet to sabot combination, it could possibly create a dangerous situation. It seems unnecessary when the fix seems to be a simple one.

I have been using the .452 300gr NON Mag with great reults on paper. I chose not to use the 300gr Mag because alot of folks stated that Mag didn't expand at ML velocity's...

Agreed, is there anyone out there who has a pic of the .430 240gr XTP Mag and the .430 240gr non Mag so I can see the difference between the two? I'd appreciate it, Thank's
(BP)

Well untill I get the results of this, and if indeed Im using a Mag XTP, the one that comes with the TC 30 Pack in 240grs .430 this bullet expands just fine. I have had entrance holes when using a 150gr mag charge that were big enough to put my fist in, it looked like the deer was shot with a connon.
(BP)