Hornday .40 S&W 180gr XTP in Clear Ballistics gel.

[5pins]

Test Gun: Sig P229, S&W Shield.

Barrel length: 3.9 inches, 3.1 inches.

Ammunition: Hornday .40 S&W 180gr XTP

Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.

Distance: 10 feet.

Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.

Five shot velocity average: 949, 890fps

Gel Temperature 70 degrees.

Out of the Sig P229, the five shot average velocity was 949fps with a high of 964fps and a low of 921fps.



From the Sheild, I got an average velocity of 890fps with a high of 901fps and a low of 869fps.



The first round from the Sig hit the bare gel at a velocity of 914fps and penetrated to 21 inches. The expansion was .51 inches and the recovered weight was 180.2 grains. Round two had a velocity of 931fps, expanded to .52 inches with a penetration of 20.25 inches and a recovered weight of 180.2 grains.



In the heavy clothing covered gel, the first round had a velocity of 932fps and penetrated to 26 inches with no expansion. Recovered weight was 180.3 grains. Number two also had no expansion and penetrated to 27.25 inches. Velocity was 938 fps and weight was 180.1 grains.



From the M&P Sheild, round one had a velocity of 852fps and penetrated to 21.5 inches. Recovered weight was 180.1 grains and expansion was .50 inches. The second round had a velocity of 911fps and penetrated to 22.5 inches. Recovered weight was 180.2 grains and expansion was .51 inches.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Piss poor performance IMO, at least compared to other offerings out there.

I stopped carrying XTP loaded ammo for a reason. Maybe I'm being over critical. It would probably stop a threat but I really want to avoid over penetration.

 

[cheygriz]

I don't like factory XTP or Critical Duty. WW Ranger T, Speer GD, Fed HST, and Remington GS are far superior IMHO.

 

[JTQ]

I stopped carrying XTP loaded ammo for a reason. Maybe I'm being over critical. It would probably stop a threat but I really want to avoid over penetration.

Of all the potential performance issues with ammo, over-penetration is the least of my concerns.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Of all the potential performance issues with ammo, over-penetration is the least of my concerns.

Mine as well, but that doesn't mean it isn't still important in some settings.

 

[JONWILL]

The only thing I shoot XTP in is my 10mm. 180 grain at around 1300 fps it does better

 

[JR24]

The only thing I shoot XTP in is my 10mm. 180 grain at around 1300 fps it does better

I use 200 gr at just under 1200 in my 10mm.

I like XTP in field guns because it penetrates nicely for game and shoots a little better than many of the soft nose I've tried (and my state requires expanding ammo to take game)

 

[Deus Machina]

Double tap! See below.

 

[Deus Machina]

From what I've gathered, XTP performs well with some serious velocity behind it.
10mm, .357, and the like.
More of a hunting round when you want it through or deeper than a person has room for, and not in the SD rounds that don't have more flash and bang than I want.

 

[cougar1717]

Every bullet has an optimal velocity window. If driven too fast, they shatter/separate. If driven too slow, they don't expand. This occurs to a lesser extent with bonded or monolithic/copper bullets, but even those can exhibit sub-optimal mushrooms, "partially peeled bananas," or broken petals.

The XTP is a legacy cap and core bullet. It's tough; it's jacketed; and it's really a hunting bullet - especially in .357", .400", .410", and .429". A 125gr XTP will make a picture perfect mushroom in a 357mag. IMHO, the 180's need a little more than 40S&W velocity to open up consistently.
I would also agree with the above that Hornady's .400" 175gr CDuty is tougher - but it is crimped twice, has high antimony lead, and is made for duty length firearms for the purpose of going through barriers.

 

[94045]

I like XTP out of small .380 Pistols that achieve 850 fps or less.

It expands 100% in bare gel.
60% in 4-Layers of denim.

If it expands it travels 12-14".

If it doesn't it normally tumbles (low velocity is critical) and stops in 16-17".

It's not perfect but it's as close as it gets for mouse guns.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

The XTPs seem to do much better at the upper end of their velocity spectrum. The 180 and 200 gr XTPs are very consistent performers in the 10mm Auto. I've seen a 200 gr XTP expand to almost .6 inch penetrating through the skull of a housecat. Pretty disappointing for the .40 though.

 

[CraigC]

XTP's are known to fail at any speed. Either they're too slow to open up or too fast and come apart. IMHO, they're a decent cheap bullet but an outdated cup & core design and nothing I'll ever put to serious use. Hunting, self defense or otherwise. There are MUCH better choices available.

 

[300Whspr]

I've used XTP's with great success for hunting, specifically .430 240gr XTP's, whether out of a 50cal muzzleloader or a 14" TC Contender 44 Magnum. Flawless performance. I would say you could get performance as good, but not better... no matter what the technology.

Now, on the other hand, I wouldn't trust the XTP design for CCW, as the XTP was designed as a hunting bullet, and they need to be pushed to 1100-1700 fps to operate properly. This is illustrated in the photos above.

 

[crestoncowboy]

In 44 magnum and in 10mm I have used xtps hunting for years. I've tried others but always go back to the xtp.
I have carried them for sd in 10mm then switched to Silvertips, back when those were about all one could find in 10mm. There are far better choices now I suppose. but now I carry a 40 with ranger t.

 

[25-20 WCF]

The XTP bullets are - and always have been - designed for hunting, self-defense and law enforcement use. Hornady lists the design velocities for each, and many are for velocities well below 1100 fps. Some particular bullets may be best for human targets, others for game. I have not shot a human with one, but have used them in .32 H&R and .45LC handguns and a .45 ACP carbine on game. A small sample size, but all performed as expected with good expansion and penetration.


.

 

[TTv2]

XTP's are known to fail at any speed. Either they're too slow to open up or too fast and come apart. IMHO, they're a decent cheap bullet but an outdated cup & core design and nothing I'll ever put to serious use. Hunting, self defense or otherwise. There are MUCH better choices available.

Probably true for factory ammo. I'm reloading 100 grain XTP's in .327, so I expect the velocity will help make expansion more reliable. Not much choice when it comes to hollow points for .32 reloading anyway. I wish Speer still made the 115 grain bullets.

Not sure on .45, but most .45 hollow points I see are built to expand at 800 fps. Drive them a bit faster and they'll do fine, but Hornady usually keeps their ammo loaded a notch below hot.

 

[TTv2]

From what I've gathered, XTP performs well with some serious velocity behind it.
10mm, .357, and the like.
More of a hunting round when you want it through or deeper than a person has room for, and not in the SD rounds that don't have more flash and bang than I want.

Yeah, this is exactly the problem. 180 grain .40 is slow, it has to be to keep pressures safe. Put this load in a 5 inch barrel and I think the performance improves, but the fact remains there is better out there.

BTW, American Gunner is not regarded as good quality ammo. I've seen failures with .357 American Gunner, but then look at Hornady Custom and it works great.

 

[golden]

That load would make a good handgun load for feral pigs as it penetrates too deeply for a self defense load, so I normally pass on XTP ammo.
The only XTP ammo that I carry is FIOCCHI brand in .32ACP, where the small amount of expansion (when using a 3 inch + barrel) balances the over 10 inch penetration. I carried it in my BERETTA Tomcat and WALTHER PPK with a COR BON Powerball round in the chamber. The Powerball round will absolutely expand, but penetration is not very deep.

I bought a BERETTA model 81 recently and would carry it with the above combination. With a 12 round magazine, it would allow multiple hits without reloading. Like all the other BERETTA model 80 series Cheetah pistols, it is very accurate and reliable with a good sized grip, clear, easy to see sights and a smooth trigger.

In this size gun, I would usually go for a .380ACP or 9mm, but I remember the first OBAMA ammo scare and only seeing 1 box of 50 rounds of hollow points going for $50.00! .380ACP, was so hard to get. I picked up a pair of .32ACP'S, a COLT 1903 (always wanted one) and a used police trade in BERETTA model 82, as I could still find .32ACP ammo in gun stores and even WALMART.
The BERETTA model 82 is a large for caliber .32ACP with a single stack magazine, that is basically the same as the BERETTA model 85 in .380ACP, except for caliber. It was cheap and had all the Cheetah pistol virtues and I could get ammo for it. Now I have the model 81 for the same reason. It made a good car gun.

Jim

 

[CraigC]

Probably true for factory ammo. I'm reloading 100 grain XTP's in .327, so I expect the velocity will help make expansion more reliable. Not much choice when it comes to hollow points for .32 reloading anyway. I wish Speer still made the 115 grain bullets.

Not sure on .45, but most .45 hollow points I see are built to expand at 800 fps. Drive them a bit faster and they'll do fine, but Hornady usually keeps their ammo loaded a notch below hot.

Out of the .327, they're more likely to come unglued.

Agreed on the Speer 115gr. That should've been the gold standard.