The bullet used this morning was the 240g XTP Magnum. The powder charge was 50g Blackhorn. The primer used was a W209. A black crush rib was the sabot. Range was 25 yard.















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The photo shows the bullet in the bottom of the last jug. The bullet opened a hole at the back of the jug, kinda visible in the label, and fell to the bottom just so barely visible in the photo.

Gee! that did not expand - near what I thought it might. It appears since the expansion was so little and did not slow the velocity as did the Barnes - It did continue to penetrate. I am sure the working expansion velocity is higher than what you shot it at.

Still a good comparison factor to know.

interesting test.. excellent penetration for such a small charge, but again, small distance. But not the expansion I expected. Still placed in the right major organ, I see a dead animal bullet there. Did you happen to weigh it after the fact?

I have a friend that shoots an Optima. He hunts with a 240 XTP but even he was not sure if it was a magnum or not. He loads two pyrodex pellets and then the bullet sabot provided. He's taken a number of deer with it. And claims excellent expansion and blood trails. Although he said he does not always get a pass through. But he's never lost a deer either with them.

I am going to have to try that experiment with one of my rifles and use a standard XTP.

The 240gr XTP MAGS are tough. I wont even shoot them in my ULA. Many Savage owners avoid them too.

The bullet weighs 241.1g now.

I am assuming that it was over weight to begin with then since it is a little bit uncommon for a bullet to GAIN weight after contact

That doesn't surprise me at all, as GM said...they are tough. The regular XTP's expand easier for sure.

Did a recalibrate of the scale. Now the bullet weighs 240.2 grain.