Whether or not I had projectile failure (or is it failure?) such as the separation of cup/core I've yet to lose any animal that was shot by one. Yes I've had the the bullets come apart with XTP & XTP/SST but the animal did'nt go far and was indeed dead by the time I got to it. So really, the XTP did it's job IMO.

Sabotloader the simple solution is don't push them too fast!! I will only be using 70gr. (volume) to 80gr. BH209 in the Optima V2 pistol so not worried about them coming apart...yet!

i've used the 300 grain .430, the 300 grain .452 and the 300 grain .452 magnum bullets. i've killed numerous wild hogs using the 300 grain .430 and the .452 magnum bullets. Never recovered one; they penetrate both shoulders of 300 pound wild hogs.

Several months ago i went on a crusade killing big solitary boar hogs, mostly with an Encore using 140 grains of Black MZ powder and the Hornady .452 magnum bullet. Killed at least 11 boars with that bullet; several exceeded 300 pounds. i remember only two hogs needing a second shot.

From a pistol or a rifle and that volume of BH - they should work very well.

My 2nd tag was for a doe. I filled it with one of the last few Speer Deep Curl .44/270 grain bullets I had, with 82.5 grains BH209 and Harvester Crush Rib sabot. Shot was a broadside rear double lung at about 100 yards. As usual, bullet exited, so no recovery to show. Distance to deer recovery was about 80 yards, same as the XTP buck in the pictures.

The double lung deer in our party all seemed to go about 80 yards this year, whether for .30-06, 7mm-08, .308, or muzzleloader. Teen age nieces and nephews have done great with 7mm-08. Maybe they'll get curious about muzzleloader?

I haven't experienced any XTP failures, maybe because of using modest powder loads. I did take one deer at close range with a .44/240 XTP where the velocity would have been about 1700 at impact. Bang-flop was the result. Didn't see any evidence of failure.

Nice job on the deer Bill308

I personally don't feel that if a cup/core bullet happens to separate on occasion that it means it failed. More often than not, the core passed through and if/when you find the jacket its usually on the off side under the skin. I've shot at least 100 deer with cup / core style bullets with no issues. Sure, we'd love to have them stay together every time...but since they aren't bonded, that doesn't always happen. I've never killed any using XTP's, but they have proven to be a very reliable bullet. Deep Curls are better, but if you don't have any on hand you are out of luck right now.

Most if not all of my shots at deer are within 100yds or less so no need for me to reach out there like other open places.

I haven't had the time to get out more with the pistol to see how it prints at 100yds. and tweak the final load, not sure it will happen this season.

I thought when I retired I'd have more time on these matters....

This retiree says the same thing. I have not found the time to clean my .270 and .300WSM yet from hunting for 5-1/2 days, about two weeks ago.

I swear I will address them today and get my two MLs ready for hunting tomorrow. I plan on leaving for deer camp about 5 PM tomorrow evening and my inlines haven't been touched since early September. Still have their breechplugs in a ziplock bag, dangling from a shelf in the gun safe.

I always store MLs with the bore pointed to the floor.

I have never let any of my guns go that long before cleaning!! If I kill a deer I will get them checked in, hungup, skinned out and if cold enough I will then clean the gun used. If its too hot I will get the animal in the cooler ASAP then clean the gun.

My freezer is full, but still have one tag left, so will try to get one more in late season this month for jerky.

I like the idea of muzzle down for storing tho...

You can let 270 and .300 cartridge centerfires that have been shot a half-dozen times go for months, with no harm while exposed to normal dry conditions.