44 Caliber 180 Grain XTP--80g BH
 

Today this 180 grain 44 caliber XTP was shot through carpet, plywood, and a couple of water filled jugs. Range was 25 yard. Powder charge was 80g Blackhorn.






















The bullet toasted the front jug. There was an entrance, and an exit hole in the second jug. The third jug had only an entrance hole, and contained the bullet. The fourth and fifth jugs were undamaged. The lead, and jacket together weigh 149.9 grain.

That is definitely a beautiful thing. I would not hesitate to use it on deer. I wouldn't want to hit the shoulder but I normally don't anyway.

Many Better Options
 

Well, i hope you're kidding. Many of the other bullets that went through this test, shredded the first two jugs, not just the one. Many penetrated more than 3 jugs, without separating. The 200 grain Bloodline shredded twice as many jugs as the 180g XTP. The bloodline also penetrated twice as many jugs as the XTP. If one were hunting with the bloodline, and inadvertently hit a shoulder it would be no problem.

You even got 35 or so of the bloodline, free.

Nice thick bullet center, overall weight held up nicely. Good performing bullet when shot at low velocity.

Ron No, I'm not kidding. It is my opinion that a bullet should expend all its energy inside the target or at least most of it. Ideally with just enough KE to pass through. While I admire your testing I see absolutely no reason other than greater accuracy to use a premium bullet that travels through and animal and still has enough KE left over to drop an elephant. I'm exaggerating of course but I think you know what I mean. I would not hesitate for a second to use one on elk, moose bear or similar game. But for deer, for me, the XTPs work great and I've yet to have a whitetail complain. But then again, I use 300 gr .44 and .45 cal and 200 gr .40 cal.

I hope my 180 gr 45-cal XTPs perform like this.

I know these 44-cals in 180 disintegrate when hitting the trunk of a soft pine tree. Been there-done that last winter. So Bronko is right about the performances of this bullet when smacking squarely into bone. It will fragment like crazy and so will the 45-cals I'm trying at the range this coming week. That's if the weather cooperates and temps fall into the low 70s as predicted..

Yes i kinda agree with your philosophy, i really don't agree with your taste in beauty, with what you consider a beautiful thing. The Deep Curl, now that is beauty!!

Ethical Hunting Bullet
 

The following photo shows the test about 1/4 second after the impact of the 44 caliber 180 grain XTP yesterday, then the 300g Deep Curl this morning.

























From past experience, i know unequivocally how the Deep Curl works on deer. It works real good it does, yes it does.

The photo of yesterday' test, and today' test indicate the XTP just doesn't get it, compared to the Deep Curl. You boys surely can see the 44 caliber 180 grain XTP is a marginal deer bullet, can you not?

Marginal at best I'd say. Yes, it will kill a deer, but how quick an humane is the question...a .22LR will also kill a deer. Not ethical IMO for either.

Its really simple, what this most recommended deer bullet weight for 44mag rifles and 444 marlin?

I doubt its a 180gr.