Hornady CD vs Hornady XTP

DeadWhiteGoose

DeadWhiteGoose

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The specific caliber I am comparing is the .357, but the thread applies to any caliber in Hornady CD or XTP. I'd like to hear what everyone elses opinion is on the two and which suffices better for self defense, reliability, stopping power and accuracy. Please feel free to compare any ups and downs to the two different types for I am not quite an expert on the subject. I understand the Critical Defense might in words sound like the better option for self defense but then again, Xtreme Terminal Performance has the kind of ring to it that could stop a mountain lion in it's tracks. Thanks for the input, and I'll have a range report of the ammunitions this week using my 686.
 
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Ive used alot of the XTP in the past. Both would be good ammo for your purposes. One thing you might do is try both in your gun and see which one you shoot the best with and go that way.
 
These are both genuine 'shock and awe' loads, even when fired from the ultra short barrel of a little J-frame! I hold that the 125 gr .357 is the best SD load of all time!

I have tested both on water jugs (poor man's gelatin) and hard targets. The CD expands more readily, mushrooms to a slightly larger size, and doesn't penetrate quite as deeply (but still plenty deep for any human). The XTP is a tougher bullet, doesn't expand quite as much, and penetrates a little deeper. The big plus of the CD is the plastic tip, that prevents it from packing up on clothing and failing to expand, and thus acting like a FMJ.

For me, on the street I load 2 Glaser Silvers, followed by 3 CD's. Out hiking in the valley (not in bear or lion country), I'm worried about meeting a nasty pitbull on the trail (I have past experience here!), so I load the XTP. For mountain lion country, I want a longer barrel (minimum 3", preferably 4-6") and at least a 140-158 gr XTP bullet. My experience has been that the heavier bullets will hardly expand if at all, from short barrels (again...essentially leaving you with a FMJ).

Around here, there are lions in the foothills at lower altitude, but never bears (so far). Up in the mountains at high altitude, there are both lions and bears (that aren't very fearful of humans!), so there I pack at least a .44, minimum. This is similar to where you are, living at the foot of the beautiful Sierras!
 
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For SD in the streets the CD load will expand more reliably than the XTP. That's the way they are built. I have always thought of the XTP bullet as a good hunting bullet.

BUT, try both in your revolver and see which is more accurate and controllable for you. The best bullet in the world is useless unless you make good hits.
 
Thats definitely next on the list. I'm rather busy with my band right now so I won't make it to
The range until at least Monday. There's a gun show in Sacramento Sunday so hopefully I can pick up somegood stuff there. After I hit the range I'll give you all a report!
 
From what I have read, the CD was specifically designed as a bullet that will expand "regardless" when faced with varying layers of clothing. It was not designed to defeat barriers such as glass, car doors, etc... If you are ok with this, and understand the bullets limits then the CD is one of the best for self defense.

I agree with what another poster said above. IMHO, the XTP is more of a hunting bullet.
 
The XTP bullet was designed for deep penetration and delayed expansion (primarily for hunting). I've found the XTP bullets to be extremely accurate but, by all reports I've read, they do not expand except at very high velocities for the caliber.

The Critical Defense loads are designed to expand after defeating light clothing (and nothing else). I've found the CD bullet (in .38 Special) to be so-so for accuracy and not very clean shooting (lots of unburned powder under the ejector star with both standard pressure and +P .38 Special in 642's).
 
The purpose of the CD design was to make a JHP that would expand reliably even if passing through heavy clothing that can plug a conventional JHP hollow turning its performance into essentially a solid bullet.

If you live in LA or Miami where heavy clothing is seldom worn then the XTP will work fine. If you live in a colder climate then the CD's will insure expansion during those colder months when an assailant would likely be wearing heavy coats or multiple layers of clothing.
 
Alright, I finally made it to the range to test out the Hornady XTPs and Hornady CDs in my 686. I started with 50 rounds of .38s to get my shot down and warm up a bit. Well needless to say, the XTPs and CDs both shot very similarly. The only difference I can report is that the CDs felt like they were a little easier to control. They were both 125 grain but the CDs seemed to have a little less recoil, does anyone know if the CD rounds are suppose to be lower recoil? Anyhow, in the end they both shot great, but I think my 686 liked the CDs just a little bit better. tighter groups, around 2.5" where as with the XTPs I was averaging around 4". I also tested out Speer Gold Dots today too, also in the 125 grain hollow point loads, but I think they give my 686 indegestion. They seemed harder to control and didnt give me groups hardly at all. But every gun has its own favorite ammo. Next Ill be testing Remington Golden Sabres before I settle on a certain load, but right now the Hornady Critical Defense rounds take the cake.
 
Photoman44 said:
Somewhat related...

FirearmsTactical.com: TacticalBriefs, April 2006
Click to expand...

I've read this tactical brief before and wonder if any bullet that is meant to expand upon hitting flesh is able to penetrate glass or sheet metal in a car. It seems that if it could go through something that solid without expanding and losing all its force, it would go right through a person without expanding also.
 
russp1 said:
I've read this tactical brief before and wonder if any bullet that is meant to expand upon hitting flesh is able to penetrate glass or sheet metal in a car. It seems that if it could go through something that solid without expanding and losing all its force, it would go right through a person without expanding also.
Click to expand...

The Barnes X bullet (CorBon DPX, etc.) and the Speer Gold Dot bonded bullets do a very good job of expanding after penetrating hard (sheetmetal, glass) and soft (clothing) barriers.
 
Photoman44 said:
The Barnes X bullet (CorBon DPX, etc.) and the Speer Gold Dot bonded bullets do a very good job of expanding after penetrating hard (sheetmetal, glass) and soft (clothing) barriers.
Click to expand...

I'll have to check out their websites. Very interested in how a hard surface doesn't cause expansion yet flesh would. May have to change my carry ammo.
 
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