Another 240XTP hunting load thread, to avoid hijacking the existing one...

[Last of the Mohicans]

So, like the title says, I have a load question regarding the .45cal 240gr XTP. I actually grabbed a box of them by accident, but since I have them, I'm considering developing a hunting load for deer season this November.

Unlike you fortunate souls south of the 49th, I cannot use my Peacemaker clone, my 1911, or any other handgun. That leaves my .454 Casull levergun. Any thoughts/experience with regards to using these bullets in the .454/.45 Colt for deer hunting? Since the areas I hunt are typically pretty thick...kind of like northern Michigan, ranges are fairly close. Anything approaching 100 yards would be a long shot where I hunt.

So...any thoughts or loads that work would be appreciated. Thanks.

[buck460XVR]

I assume you are talking about the 240 gr XTP-MAG bullet. I do not use them in .454, but they are one of the bullets I use in my .460. Very accurate and since they are designed for .460 velocities, I'm thinkin' they would work very well in a .454 lever gun for deer. My best accuracy with them is over either H110/W296 or IMR4227. The 300 gr XTP-MAG(as opposed to the standard 300 gr XTP) is another bullet made for .460 velocities, and again should work well at .454 carbine velocities.

[Last of the Mohicans]

Originally Posted by buck460XVR

I assume you are talking about the 240 gr XTP-MAG bullet. I do not use them in .454, but they are one of the bullets I use in my .460. Very accurate and since they are designed for .460 velocities, I'm thinkin' they would work very well in a .454 lever gun for deer. My best accuracy with them is over either H110/W296 or IMR4227. The 300 gr XTP-MAG(as opposed to the standard 300 gr XTP) is another bullet made for .460 velocities, and again should work well at .454 carbine velocities.

Thank you, yes. I am talking about the XTP MAG. So, if they can be used successfully in a .460, then I'm glad to know that they should be fine in my .454. I may have to get some H-110 though. Right now, I'm shooting 250 grain cast bullets and Accur #9.

[Gun 4 Fun]

The XTP mags for .45 caliber were actually designed for the .454, not the .460, and Hornady will tell you so.

They came out before the 460 was available, for use in the 454 since the standard XTP bullet in .45 wouldn't always hold up under the extra stress placed on them when fired from a 454. Too, the stronger mag XTP helped eliminate the trouble that shooters were experiencing when firing standard XTP's in 454's. The standard bullet just isn't constructed stoutly enough to keep the base from upsetting too much and causing pressures to sky rocket to dangerous levels at maximum levels.

The 460 is even more of the same.


There has been several good articles written about this subject.

[Last of the Mohicans]

Originally Posted by Gun 4 Fun

The XTP mags for .45 caliber were actually designed for the .454, not the .460, and Hornady will tell you so.

They came out before the 460 was available, for use in the 454 since the standard XTP bullet in .45 wouldn't always hold up under the extra stress placed on them when fired from a 454. Too, the stronger mag XTP helped eliminate the trouble that shooters were experiencing when firing standard XTP's in 454's. The standard bullet just isn't constructed stoutly enough to keep the base from upsetting too much and causing pressures to sky rocket to dangerous levels at maximum levels.

The 460 is even more of the same.


There has been several good articles written about this subject.

Care to hook a brother up?

[Gun 4 Fun]

Get a back issue copy of Handloader #232, and read Brian Pearce's article dedicated to the 454. It explains some of the things I posted above, and I have a an article or two here somewhere from John Taffin that does basically the same thing.

[NE450No2]

My Hornady Fourth Edition shows the following loads with the 250 [two fifty] gr XTP, in the 454 Casull
.
With H110 or Win 296;
Start load 30gr for 1450fps.

Max load 33.9gr for 1800fps.

These loads were developed in a Freedom Arms with a 7 1/2" barrel.

[macbullet]

Used that same bullet in 2005 for my 454 Casull and took this Mule Deer. He dropped in his tracks at 89 yards. A quartering away shot, the bullet went in just behind the left front leg and exited in front of the right leg leaving a hole the size of a half dollar, never found the slug. Your current cast load with AA#9 should work very well also, leaving a smaller exit wound.

[NE450No2]

Mac

That is a NICE mule deer, in anybodies book.

Well Done.

[Gun 4 Fun]

Originally Posted by NE450No2

Mac

That is a NICE mule deer, in anybodies book.

Well Done.

I'll second that! Especially since it was taken with a handgun. Good job.

[Last of the Mohicans]

Originally Posted by macbullet

Used that same bullet in 2005 for my 454 Casull and took this Mule Deer. He dropped in his tracks at 89 yards. A quartering away shot, the bullet went in just behind the left front leg and exited in front of the right leg leaving a hole the size of a half dollar, never found the slug. Your current cast load with AA#9 should work very well also, leaving a smaller exit wound.

That is a beautiful mulie. I like the six shooter too! The load you guys mention sounds like it is worth trying out. My cast load is a pleasure to shoot, but is not as accurate as I would like. I can hit a 12 inch gong with it at 100 yards...but that means anywhere on the gong.