Deep Curl or XTP?
 

I'm thinking about trying some out some new bullets for hunting. 90% of my shots are probably under 100yds, I shoot Pyro RS and #11's. Have always used the Knight 260gr factory jacketed bullets with no issues, just interested in trying out something new for kicks.

I've heard a ton of good about the XTP's. Never shot them, figured I'd try the 240's since it sounds like they are a little flatter shooting, and I may occassionally get a longer shot (out to maybe 200).

Back in the spring my son did a science project and we tested a ton of bullets, including 3 different DC's. I did not have any 240gr XTP's to test. I did test 200gr and 300gr XTP's, and they did well.

Here are the results of the Deep Curls....which makes me a little nervous to try them out hunting - though they are supposed to be Speer's premium hunting bullet. The 240gr performed amazingly, the 250 & 180, well you see. We shot alot of bullets, these two were the only bullets that failed completely.

250gr




180gr




240gr




The only thing I can see is the copper on the bullets I have wraps deeper over the nose on the 240's, and the hollow point is significantly deeper on the 180/250's. (on the 250 it measures 3/8" deep which is crazy). I wonder why the design is soooo different between these? I can't imagine them doing anything different on live game than explode. If I try the DC's, it will obviously be the 240's. But I'm still nervous, certainly don't want to be shooting hand grenades at deer.

Suggestions or thoughts from folks who have used XTP's and DC's on actual game?


Also, here is the link to my son's testing for those of you who haven't seen it.

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/blac...port-long.html

Thanks,
-Mike

I've killed deer with both. Both killed deer about the same. Place the shot well and the deer will either drop or run <50 yards.

2 or 3 years ago I hunted exclusively with the 300g Deep Curl. I experienced no better results than the 15+ years of XTPs that I shot in years past. In my mind, there was little to no difference. If anything, the XTP out performed it by just a smidgen.

Like you, 99% of my shots are under 100 yards so BC isn't a big deal to me. I would have no reservation shooting either the XTP or the Gold Dot/Deep Curl. The .452 300g Deep Curl is my favorite DC and the .430 300g XTP is my favorite XTP.

I've been using the 45cal 240gr XTP Mag .452"dai bullets for almost 20 years or better. Not only are they accurate as heck out of Muzzle Loaders they are also Devestating on Game, I have Never lost an animal shot with one of them.
I use pyrodox RS 110grs and my wife uses Pyro Pellets a 50gr and a 30gr, she used to use 2 50gr pellets but had surgery on her wrist so I lightened the load on her. I get 1" or beter groups at 100yds and 2"+- at 200yds.
My buddy use the .44cal 240gr .430" dia XTP's and has similar results as I do, plus 99% of the ones we hunt with that use a MLer use the 240gr XTP's and all love them.
There all I'll ever use and I'll never change, all I have to say is great things about the 240gr XTP's
(BP)

I Have used both the deep Curl and the XTP for a number of years at the proper velocity they both will do a decent job on a deer they both lack the long range accuracy that I wish any hollow point is liable to 'plug' in the hide and the large hollow points seem to defeat accuracy at long range. I have gone to the Bonded Shock Wave for hunting it has the bonded capabilities of the Deep Curl and the best accuracy of any bullet I have shot and with the plastic nose cone it can not "plug" and to top the list it is the flattest shooting. For long range try the 50 /40 200 grain it is an amazing bullet and preforms very well for normal hunting try the 250 bonded Shock Wave.

lemoyne

The shockwave did really well in our tests also. I only had 250 & 300 to test. I've never used them, but understand why you like em. Here you go...

I have used both the .452 250 grain Deep Curl as well as the XTP in several different weights (200, 240 and 250 grain). All have performed well for me at moderate velocities. I had some issues with the 200 XTP (.40 cal) fragmenting on close shots when pushing it fast (2000 fps+). When using 70 - 90 grains of loose powder, I have not had any problems with either the XTP or Deep Curl. I can't honestly say that I could tell a huge difference in terminal performance between the two. Both work well and put deer down quickly with good shot placement. The 250 Deep Curl POSSIBLY penetrates better than the XTP, but this is only based on a couple occurrences with the DC, it could be a fluke.

I have no experience with the XTP. I have shot the DeepCurl three times during a whitetail hunt. Three dead deer, devastatingly so. I made a terrible, terrible shot the other day. Pure gut shot. Range was 15 yards and as soon as the hammer fell, I knew I hit him way back. No idea how I made such a terrible shot. Probably had something to do with not having eaten in 12 hours.

I felt awful when I saw him run off. I thought he would die in agony and I would have a heck of a time finding him. Nope. He went less than 40 yards and crashed, DRT. Vitals were intact. Everything else was destroyed. And yeah, it was disgusting.

I will likely not use anything else.

I have used the 300gr XTP successfully. I'll be using the 270gr Deep curls this year, so we'll see. All my muzzleloader kills have been under 100yds.

Mike, you probably know my opinion as I provided the Deep Curl .44cal/240gr and .50cal/250gr bullets for your test. Disclosure - At the range I have shot the Deep Curls above and also the DC 50cal/300grain bullet, and also the XTPs in both .45 and 50 cal. But, I have only hunted with the DC .44cal/240gr bullet. That said, I'll give my opinions of these bullets.

I am a huge fan of the DC .44cal/240gr. It's accurate for my ranges easily up to 150 yards and performs great. Almost all pass-throughs with a significant exit hole, lots of blood. The one bullet I recovered was a pass through that I found - it expanded very well. Any well placed shot (and also some less than perfect shots) should put down the whitetail in quick order.

I also like the DC 50cal/300gr bullet. It looks almost identical to the DC .44cal/240gr but for obviously being a bit longer and fatter. Point being, its hollow point is the same design and I would expect it to work just like it's little brother but with more energy and a bigger hole. The only reasons I prefer the .44cal/240gr is because it's a little kinder to shoot in my X7 and is a better deal since you can buy them by the box of 100 for $26 versus a box of 50 for $18 for the 50cal/300gr. But if I ever needed just a bit more insurance on the shot, I'd go with the 300 grain bullet.

I have less confidence in the DC 50cal/250gr bullet. Accuracy-wise, it shoots just as well at the other Deep Curls. My concern is with its hollow point design, being much bigger/deeper. Too deep, IMO, for ML velocities. I think this is because it's made for the .45 long colt cartridge, whereas the 44cal/240gr and 50cal/300gr are made for the .44 magnum and .454 Casull respectively. The 50cal/250gr bullet's deeper hollow point allows for expansion at the lower velocity of a .45 long colt cartridge, but may break up when pushed too fast. Your tests seem to bear this out. I'm sure that it will still put the deer down, but I just feel better with the other two bullets.

Regarding the XTPs. As I said, I've never hunted with them. For a given size, they seem to shoot pretty much the same at the range as the Deep Curls. They are a bit cheaper, but they are not bonded as are the DC's. I've read on this board and a few others that they do not hold together as well as the Speer bullets. Again, they undoubtedly bring the deer down, but may not perform as well as the DCs, especially if your shot is through bone or made with less than ideal placement. The Speer bullets cost just a few $$ more per box of 50 or 100 so I go with them.

Basically it comes down to the Speer Deep Curl .44cal/240gr and 50cal/300gr bullets giving me the best peace of mind for a very good price, for the type of hunting I do.

Well I went ahead and ordered the 240gr .44 DC's to try out. Hopefully I can bust one and post him/her up for you guys. Thanks for the input. Good luck everyone!