200gr XTP or 210gr JHC in 44 mag

S

Scrumbag

New member
Hi folks,

Out of a 20" barrel 1892:

Any views on whether a 200gr XTP or 210gr JHC pushed by H110 would be better?

Thanks in advance,

Scrummy
 
The Sierra JHC is a little more dated design. I've found 240 gr XTPs to perform very well out of my Marlin with good expansion without breaking apart. I load the Sierras but at a lower velocity load for .44 Special and .44 Magnum just for plinking.

Since H110/W296 is going to give you Magnum-level loads no matter the charge, my vote would be the proven XTP in just about any weight.

Here is a 240 gr XTP (load is with 23 gr IMR4227 and CCI Primer, this is a warm load, do not duplicate without working up). It went through quite a few water jugs. I like to test in water, if a bullet fails that or over expands, I know it wont reliably work in a soft target.
PgxAaz6.jpg


Same load few days later on a groundhog in the yard. Only about 10 yards away.
3xiOlqd.jpg
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: GCBetter? Better for what purpose?

Sorry for the slow response, GC. I'm wanting to use it as a deer bullet
 
Interesting opinion BG, I have shot the XTPs quite a bit in various formats and for max expansion I love them but they get so big so fast that I was never impressed with penetration.
 
This thread is 4.5 years old. But for the sake of conversation, I wouldn't choose either of those bullets for deer. Shooting handgun bullets from a carbine-length barrel can add 400+ fps velocity. That extra velocity can stress the bullet's expansion threshold and cause it to become much more fragile than it was designed to be. As an example, I am working with a new Marlin M1894C .357 magnum with an 18.5" barrel—regular flavor 158 gr. XPTs driven at 1850 fps are fragile and lose their integrity quickly. That means limited penetration and hard bone becomes a challenge. The 158 gr. XTP-FP is designed for the higher velocity of a carbine and expands well but maintains bullet integrity and penetrates much better. Muzzleloader hunters that use sabots and handgun bullets have discovered this also. I had a Hornady 250 gr. XTP turn to shreds inside a whitetail buck hit on the shoulder joint. The bullet was running around 1900 fps from my inline rifle. That bullet was designed for handguns and meant to top out around 1400-1500 fps. I switched to the 300 gr. XTP Mag running at 1800 fps and now get good expansion, bones are no obstacle, and finishes with complete pass-throughs. Hornady has a chart with all the XTP velocity thresholds and is a good guide to choose a bullet from.
 
GC said:
This thread is 4.5 years old. But for the sake of conversation, I wouldn't choose either of those bullets for deer. Shooting handgun bullets from a carbine-length barrel can add 400+ fps velocity. That extra velocity can stress the bullet's expansion threshold and cause it to become much more fragile than it was designed to be. As an example, I am working with a new Marlin M1894C .357 magnum with an 18.5" barrel—regular flavor 158 gr. XPTs driven at 1850 fps are fragile and lose their integrity quickly. That means limited penetration and hard bone becomes a challenge. The 158 gr. XTP-FP is designed for the higher velocity of a carbine and expands well but maintains bullet integrity and penetrates much better. Muzzleloader hunters that use sabots and handgun bullets have discovered this also. I had a Hornady 250 gr. XTP turn to shreds inside a whitetail buck hit on the shoulder joint. The bullet was running around 1900 fps from my inline rifle. That bullet was designed for handguns and meant to top out around 1400-1500 fps. I switched to the 300 gr. XTP Mag running at 1800 fps and now get good expansion, bones are no obstacle, and finishes with complete pass-throughs. Hornady has a chart with all the XTP velocity thresholds and is a good guide to choose a bullet from.
Click to expand...

Totally agree !! Many people blame a bullet but dont consider construction or velocity into the equation.

The gun in my avatar runs 124gr XTP's at 1,600fps. They penetrate really good with ok expansion.
 
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