200 or 230 grn XTP's ?

rebs · November 8, 2014, 03:07 PM

you guys that reload and shoot the Hornady XTP bullets in 45 acp, whch do you prefer 200 or 230 grn ?
I am looking at these for SD and practice.

T. O'Heir · November 8, 2014, 04:10 PM

Jacketed bullets are too expensive to shoot regularly, but if I used 'em it'd be 230's. Not that it really matters which bullet you use. Even for SD.

Nick_C_S · November 8, 2014, 05:21 PM

I'd go with the 200's.

I actually like heavy bullets for SD, but 45 ACP is the exception to my rule. Being a low pressure round, I'd rather use a lighter weight and get the velocity needed for proper expansion. Especially with the XTP's. I've been convinced that Speer's 230g GDHP will open nicely at 800 fps (or even less); but I have not seen similar results with the XTP's. So my vote goes to the 200's.

skizzums · November 8, 2014, 06:23 PM

yeah, I would go with the 200, you can get enough velocity to get a bit better expansion, but more importantly better penetration which is important when using a fat ole bullet like the .45

std7mag · November 9, 2014, 10:22 AM

I use the 200's.. It's already making almost a 1/2" hole, so I go with a little more velocity...

For range fodder, I use what I can get cheaply. I usually stay with a jacketed bullet. Haven't cared for the Gold Dots.

With the 40S&W I use 150 grain Noslers. They can be purchased in 250 round boxes for not too bad money wise. Wish they made them like that for the 45!!!

zeke · November 10, 2014, 06:53 AM

Am fond of the 230 xtp, but haven't used any of the "new" profile ones. Never could get as good as accuracy from the 200 grainers, and prefer the heavier bullet for short ands longer barrels.

mxsailor803 · November 11, 2014, 06:41 AM

For your practice rounds, consider looking at Xtreme Bullets. They are plated and work very well. They are also moderately priced. Now for the XTP's, I've used these for a few years now and like them a lot as a SD round. I too would go for the 200's. I vaguely remember seeing 180's once and I would get those if I could just to get the speed up.

snolden · November 11, 2014, 01:11 PM

I prefer the 230's. Actually my guns do. The elevation is perfect at 15-25 yards with the XTP 230's and Blue Dot pushing them to 910 fps.

200's hit too low for my taste at that distance.

November 8, 2014, 03:07 PM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	200 or 230 grn XTP's ? you guys that reload and shoot the Hornady XTP bullets in 45 acp, whch do you prefer 200 or 230 grn ? I am looking at these for SD and practice.

November 8, 2014, 04:10 PM	#2
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Jacketed bullets are too expensive to shoot regularly, but if I used 'em it'd be 230's. Not that it really matters which bullet you use. Even for SD. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 8, 2014, 05:21 PM	#3
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	I'd go with the 200's. I actually like heavy bullets for SD, but 45 ACP is the exception to my rule. Being a low pressure round, I'd rather use a lighter weight and get the velocity needed for proper expansion. Especially with the XTP's. I've been convinced that Speer's 230g GDHP will open nicely at 800 fps (or even less); but I have not seen similar results with the XTP's. So my vote goes to the 200's. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

November 8, 2014, 06:23 PM	#4
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	yeah, I would go with the 200, you can get enough velocity to get a bit better expansion, but more importantly better penetration which is important when using a fat ole bullet like the .45 __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

November 9, 2014, 10:22 AM	#5
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	I use the 200's.. It's already making almost a 1/2" hole, so I go with a little more velocity... For range fodder, I use what I can get cheaply. I usually stay with a jacketed bullet. Haven't cared for the Gold Dots. With the 40S&W I use 150 grain Noslers. They can be purchased in 250 round boxes for not too bad money wise. Wish they made them like that for the 45!!!

November 10, 2014, 06:53 AM	#6
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	Am fond of the 230 xtp, but haven't used any of the "new" profile ones. Never could get as good as accuracy from the 200 grainers, and prefer the heavier bullet for short ands longer barrels.

November 11, 2014, 06:41 AM	#7
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	For your practice rounds, consider looking at Xtreme Bullets. They are plated and work very well. They are also moderately priced. Now for the XTP's, I've used these for a few years now and like them a lot as a SD round. I too would go for the 200's. I vaguely remember seeing 180's once and I would get those if I could just to get the speed up.

November 11, 2014, 01:11 PM	#8
snolden Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: N. E. AZ Posts: 387	I prefer the 230's. Actually my guns do. The elevation is perfect at 15-25 yards with the XTP 230's and Blue Dot pushing them to 910 fps. 200's hit too low for my taste at that distance.