Just checking - I use these factory loads in a ported 29-3 4" and they shoot wonderfully. They average 1,017 fps for me. I'm wondering if the bullet holds together, as I may use these on deer next year.

Any game experience with the factory load or similar reload with the Hornady 300 grain XTP would be appreciated.

I can’t help with any field experience but I have to say I’m surprised you are successful with this load in a 29-3. I’ve never had much luck with the extra-heavy .44 bullets in my 29-2s and I wouldn’t expect -3 guns to be any better. That said, I’d expect the load to be over-kill on whitetails and maybe a little lacking on penetration in a big elk. Of course expectations don’t count for much.

No revolver experience with the bullet, but I smoked a broadside whitetail doe last year at 164 yards out of my CVA OptimaV2 rifle with it, paired with a Harvester Sabot over 105 grains by volume of Blackhorn 209. She didn't take a step, loads of blood. But muzzle velocity of 1900-1950 FPS.

That does help...through and through penetration?

I actually bought the rounds for my Marlin 1894 in 44 and tried them in the 29 just for fun. I got the 29 used and already ported, and suspect it might not have been much fun to shoot with these unported. They group just like white box Winchester 240 grainers.

My concern is whether the bullet has enough penetration for mule deer and our smallish NM cow elk.

I've used a 240 xtp. I was advised to keep the velocity at the upper end. Apparently the xtp bullets have a somewhat heavier jacket.
Theres a Sierra bullet that does very well to. It doesnt need the upper end velocity and makes a big freaking hole to.

I used the 300 grain XTP, loaded warm with 296 powder, out of a 7.5 inch Redhawk to take a Maine bull moose. One shot thru the shoulder at about 40 yards. The bullet performed well, expanding some, and recovered on the opposite side under the skin. Bull traveled about 40 yards after being hit.

Used the same load on a decent sized wild boar with similar results.

Nice thing about the 300 grain XTP is that even at lower velocities, you should get some expansion, as well as deep penetration.

Have also taken a couple whitetails with it, and while it certainly worked, I like the 240 grain XTP in that role, as they seem to expand a little quicker, offer plenty of penetration, and kick a little less in lighter weight revolvers. XTP's do have a slightly thicker jacket then many other 240 / 300 grain .44 bullets, and are at their best in the upper velocity range, where they hold together, expand well, and penetrate. I have taken a fair number of deer with the 240 XTP, and it is my favorite deer hunting bullet.

Larry

Good Morning biku324,

If the Hornady XTP is bonded, I'd be good hunting everything in North America with an 1894 .44 Rem Mag including the most humongous bears. Of course, I'd not shoot much beyond 100 yards.

Groo here
Did my time with heavy bullets.
If you want big game expanding bullets , the XTP will work fine.
I would not expect much expansion from a 4in but the lever gun is a different mater!
I had many conversations with J.D.Jones of S.S.K. about handgun bullets.[his thing]
In a 44 mag handgun, a 200gr JHP is more than enough for deer. [ guess how I found out {320gr}]
A 240 gr JHP is fine for most things ,
and the 300+ gr is for the BIG stuff.
The best is the 320gr [about] RNFN ot TCFN CAST bullet for big game...
A hard cast does not fall apart, increases the speed of a load about 100 fps [ in hunting handgun] and drives deep...
Ps The 320gr SSK cast 44mag has taken elephant [through the head side ways] from a blackhawk 10in.
[hunter: the late Larry Kelly of Magnaport]

Thank you, that's exactly the info I was looking to find!

I shot a bison six times with that bullet. Recovered three on the offside hide and three kept going. I was using my S&W model 629. At the first shot he just stood there. So I gave him five more. He stood there about 20 more seconds and fell over dead.

I have not used the 300, but the 240 has stopped every deer in it's tracks ( " makes a big freaking hole". I had tried PMC, IMI, FED, WIN, REM, all broadside shots on ~ 150 lbs whitetail at 33 yd, and had to track each one, out to 90 yards with one of them. The shots were perfect, both lungs, and either heart or at least pericardium of the heart was torn. No blood at the site of shot, ( before you say I did not find it, I used luminol, and a UV light- which makes the luminol harder to see- so no more UV. Switched to 240 XTP out of a 4" 629, and they fall over, maybe one step!! Accuracy out of my gun is exceptional, one big large hole at 35 yards, ( larger than 44 cal ). I cannot imagine that the 300 at the right velocity will not do the same. Be Safe.

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I have used the Hornady 300 gr. XTP in my 629-5 Classic DX with a 6.5" barrel with success. The effect on the last deer, a 2.5-3 year old 5 point, was more than satisfactory.

He went about 15 yards and rolled up at the base of a barbed wire fence. The bullet expanded nicely and was recovered on the opposite side of the hide. An appropriate load of 2400 was used in Winchester brass with a CCI magnum pistol primer.

5.5 Redhawk max load of 296, 300 gr XTP 40 yard broadside shot on cow moose through the heart bullet stoppped off side skin moose went 30 yards or so. Same set up and distance on 3 yo bull Bison dripped in it;s tracks found bullet against offside hide.

After rereading this thread, it seems that most people have recovered bullets from deer, moose, bison, while I have been getting a very large exit hole. Any body take an elk? Be Safe,

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