Getting XTP bullets to expand?

AJC1 said:
The issue here is requiring boutique max loads for proper function. That tells me that they can work, when driven to the very edge of cartridge pressure in the application your trying. For me that makes that particular bullet inappropriate for my needs. Maybe a lighter bullet in their product line can be driven to the required speed for proper function in a better pressure range or another company may better meet your needs.
Click to expand...
To "Gun Sam's" credit, he is firing those hot .32 H&R Mag +P rounds out of a .327 Fed Mag wheelgun.
 
Expansion? Hard to beat gas-checked lead hollow points. That said, I have 1,000s of XTPs sitting on my shelves waiting to be loaded into my rounds.

Grumpy
 
The velocities on the Hornady boxes are not expansion velocities, they are the velocity range which Hornady loads them to in their various calibers. Many articles about the .32 H&R just parrot Hornady's velocity range, assuming that there is expansion - they are wrong at much under 1000 fps impact velocities. I've searched the internet for actual testing of .32 XTP expansion, below are some of what I've found. It appears that the 85 XTP needs at least 1000 fps impact velocity to offer enough expansion to begin folding the jacket back, and the 100 XTP needs around 1200 fps. Both velocities are safely achievable in strong .32 H&R revolvers (NOT weak H&Rs!) with at least 3" barrels.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/pocket-pistol-caliber-gel-test-results/#32HRMag
The Black Hills loads use the 85 grain XTP bullet, under 1000 fps expansion is there, but minimal.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-underappreciated-32-magnums/
Data on the Black Hills 85 and 100 XTPs.

https://www.k-var.com/gun-test-charter-arms-professional-32-hr-magnum
Buffalo Bore 100 XTP @ 1220 fps - photos

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/32-h-r-mag-buffalo-bore-heavy-100-grain-jhp/
Buffalo Bore 100 XTP photo.

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/32-h-r-mag-federal-personal-defense-85-grain-jhp/
The Federal 85 XTP photo.



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jski said:
How hard must XTP bullets be driven to get them to expand? I watched a test using biogel where .32 cal XTP bullets were driven to 1150+ FPS and they failed to expand.
Click to expand...
In a HANDLOADER MAGAZINE article about .38 Spl. +P reloads, a few years ago,( I think about 2016 or thereabouts) it was found that XTP 125 and 158 gr. bullets were "stout" projectiles, needing 850 fps to initiate expansion. I think that 950 fps striking velocity should be sufficient. Years ago, I found that 5.5 gr. Unique, 125 gr Remington JHP/357 brass, standard primer, 4" barrel would expand very well and penetrate in water jugs. Of course, something may have changed since then, and those figures may no longer be accurate. You might try searching Youtube, "Hornady XTP gel test" and see what you find. Good luck!:)
 
20231026_125829.jpg from left to right:
124 gr 9mm MZ 1120 fps
147 gr 9mm MZ 950 fps
240 gr 44 mag MZ 1320fps
All xtp's, all recovered from sandy soil. I've always found xtp's to expand well and to be very accurate.
 
jski said:
What caliber(s)?
Click to expand...
For the XTPs, .380/9mm, .38/.357, .44, .45acp, .45 Colt, and .500 Mag. This was not a one-time purchase, but the result of picking up a couple boxes whenever any major outlet had a sale. I have not done any expansion testing on the XTPs, but I have tested a sweet 275gr gas-checked cast HP from Matt's bullets in my .44 Magnum. Went into water jugs at .430" and was recovered at 0.82" I have found the XTPs accurate and consistent.

Grumpy

IMG_2927.jpg IMG_2928a.jpg IMG_2929a.jpg IMG_2931.JPG
 
25-20 WCF said:
The velocities on the Hornady boxes are not expansion velocities, they are the velocity range which Hornady loads them to in their various calibers. Many articles about the .32 H&R just parrot Hornady's velocity range, assuming that there is expansion - they are wrong at much under 1000 fps impact velocities. I've searched the internet for actual testing of .32 XTP expansion, below are some of what I've found. It appears that the 85 XTP needs at least 1000 fps impact velocity to offer enough expansion to begin folding the jacket back, and the 100 XTP needs around 1200 fps. Both velocities are safely achievable in strong .32 H&R revolvers (NOT weak H&Rs!) with at least 3" barrels.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/pocket-pistol-caliber-gel-test-results/#32HRMag
The Black Hills loads use the 85 grain XTP bullet, under 1000 fps expansion is there, but minimal.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-underappreciated-32-magnums/
Data on the Black Hills 85 and 100 XTPs.

https://www.k-var.com/gun-test-charter-arms-professional-32-hr-magnum
Buffalo Bore 100 XTP @ 1220 fps - photos

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/32-h-r-mag-buffalo-bore-heavy-100-grain-jhp/
Buffalo Bore 100 XTP photo.

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/32-h-r-mag-federal-personal-defense-85-grain-jhp/
The Federal 85 XTP photo.
Click to expand...
That's completely consistent with Gun Sam's episode comparing Buffalo Bore's .32 H&R Mag +P loads with Buffalo Bore's 38 Special +P loads.
 
Shivahasagun said:
How the heck did they do that?!

I can see 1050 fps...but 1200+?

That's impressive.
Click to expand...
Buffalo Bore’s website has:
➤ 1,054 fps - Taurus Ultra Light 2-inch barrel
but that’s what the chronograph read and he was certainly getting excellent expansion.
 
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