Hornady 8th Subsonic XTP Loads Re: Proper Expansion

Kwesi · 04-07-2013, 09:13

Possibly a stupid question. Is the effectiveness of the XTP's the same across all the load data listed? I went hunting for the first time ever and chose 180 XTP's (no 200's to be found). I chose their Power Pistol load of 6.8 grains because I wanted to keep the rounds subsonic out of my 8.85" barrel (no place to chrono). I was firing these suppressed (Raptor 40/10).

While the rounds stayed subsonic and I needed no hearing protection they were too loud not to spook the Coyote's. This is what lead me to this post. A 180 grain FMJ was only slightly louder. I hit a raccoon at 20-25 yards with the XTP load. He flipped up in the air then rolled on his side behind a tree but we never found him. This is what made me question the effectiveness of the XTP. I'm guessing it was traveling at 1025-1050.

I have 200 grain XTP's on their way. Should I load these at 1050-1150 loads.

What do the experienced hunters say?

_The_Shadow · 04-07-2013, 18:25

Here is what Hornady has for the preformance envelope of their bullet for 10mm/40 cal

Kwesi · 04-07-2013, 18:53

Thank you Shadow. That answers my first question. Hoping some of our hunters can chime in regarding keeping the rounds subsonic or not. The suppressor will still keep the critters from detecting of the shot so I wonder about using a harder hitting load with the ranges you posted.

_The_Shadow · 04-07-2013, 19:20

The deer I shot last was with a Hornady 200 XTP as fired from a muzzle loader at 2000 fps muzzle velocity, but still hit hard at 130 yards with double lung penetration coming to rest under the hide on the far side. Deer mad a 100 yard dash and crashed...Hornady bullet opened up and rolled back on itself, expanded to .700" widest .640" narrowest, length from mushroom to base of the bullet .480", retained weight was 162 grains. The bullet entered to the top rear of the right front shoulder, broke a rib entering the chest cavity, cut through both lungs, broke a rib exiting the other side of the cavity and expended itself just under the hide behind the left shoulder. He ran in the direction away from where I was making it more difficult to drag him back uphill and to the truck at 500 yards.

Andrew Wiggin · 04-08-2013, 10:09

I was unable to get expansion with a subsonic 200 gr XTP through denim:

Gel test: 10mm 200 gr XTP @ 1037 fps gelatin test - YouTube

It worked just fine at 1,140, though:

Gel test: 10mm 200 gr XTP over 8.3 gr 800-X @ ~1,140 - YouTube

I know that doesn't tell you much about how a 180 gr XTP will perform on animals but hopefully it's something.

Kwesi · 04-09-2013, 08:51

Thanks Andrew. I called Hornady and they said the bullet will expand properly across all of the loads in their manual. Distance to the target is to be considered.

Andrew Wiggin · 04-09-2013, 11:45

Interdasting. I wonder if they consider the same for the 200 gr. It probably would have expanded in bare gel or animal tissue. It seems that it was a combination of the low velocity and denim that prevented expansion.

Any Cal. · 04-09-2013, 12:26

From a different perspective, the xtp is meant to be a deep penetrating round. Couple that with a slower velocity, and it is no surprise that it wouldn't expand much in a small animal. Something like a Silvertip would probably be a better bet, especially if subsonic.

You could also try building your own, maybe drilling and cutting some FMJs so they expand and peel back in the first few inches, rather than over the first 1ft+. Maybe some Hornady Action Pistol would be a good place to start. I've done that to a .22 and it cut a hole 1 1/2" out of the back side of a large paperback book.

Kwesi · 04-09-2013, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Wiggin

Interdasting. I wonder if they consider the same for the 200 gr. It probably would have expanded in bare gel or animal tissue. It seems that it was a combination of the low velocity and denim that prevented expansion.

I specifically asked about the 200's. he also said the bullet would expand on a raccoon. Possibly I just winged him. It was close to dusk.

Andrew Wiggin · 04-10-2013, 11:25

I tested the 200 gr HAP over 8.3 gr of 800-X.

Velocity: 1,153 fps
Penetration: 19.4"
Retained weight: 198.1 gr
Max expansion: 0.623"
Min expansion: 0.442"

I did not get good video of it but here are a couple pics:

Kwesi · 04-10-2013, 19:57

Checked Hornady 8th and they have the same grains of PP listed for both the 180 and 200 XTP'S. The other powders that I have all are slightly higher grains.

EDit: I contacted Hornady and they verified that the grains of Power Pistol are the same for the 180 and 200 gr XTP for 10mm. They said it is rare but accurate!