XTP for 44 Mag

[RKrodle]

Sunday I picked up a Marlin 1894 in a trade. This is my first 44 mag of any kind and I was wanting a good jacketed bullet for hunting. What has been y'alls experience with the Hornady 240gr XTP for the 44 Rem Mag in a rifle? Will it hold up to the velocity of the 20 inch barrel and close shots? Any other suggestion on a good jacketed bullet?

[dr walker]

I have shot 2 deer with that bullet. Both fired from a Marlin 1894. One in the neck at 30 feet and one through both lungs and far side shoulder at maybe 50 feet. I didnt recover either bullet. Wound was as expected. They are not the most accurate bullets out of my rifle, but they are acceptable.

[rodeo kid]

Have not tried them in a .44, but I have a Marlin 1894 in .357 and have had good luck with them. Also tried them in my 1895 in 45-70, but I like Buffalo Bores better in that. God Bless.

[O.S.O.K.]

Those and Speer Gold Dots have a sterling reputation.

I am more of a cast boolit man myself - used a 310 grain Lee gas check on that hog I shot last year with the carbine - was overkill.

[2X22]

1 of only 2 jacketed .44 bullets that I use for game. My #1 choice is Remingtons 240gr JSP, #2 is the 240 XTP. Great performance on both deer and elk from either rifles or pistols.

For 99% of my overall shooting AND hunting requirements are met by my cast bullets.

2x22

[Hobie]

If the old Remington SJHP will work on hogs from a rifle I would think the XTP will do the same. I would use either from my guns.

[Grizz]

We made a ton of venison using 240 jsp in that rifle. Sure kills. 2 holes. No failures.

Grizz

[TedH]

I shot some of them from my 6" S&W and the same load from my Marlin into wet phone books from about 15 feet. They performed identically, so I would have no problem with them for deer or hogs from the rifle.

[RKrodle]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to loaded them up, sight it in, and see if I can find a hog to try it out on.

[Old Time Hunter]

We made a ton of venison using 240 jsp in that rifle. Sure kills. 2 holes. No failures.

Grizz

I agree with Grizz...JSP's out of a rifle, not much luck with the XTP's they seem to frag when loaded with 23.5 grains of H110. Cavitates more meat than necessary and does not retain the same percentage of weight as the JSP's. Never had an issue out of my 7.5" Black Hawk though.

[rogn]

This is not a perfect comparison, but the last shot I fired at game was a std..452 XTP 250 gr. The doe I shot at 175 yds w/ smokeless muzzleloader. Bullet left barrel about 2400FPS. Dont know downrange velocity. Deer turned toward me at the shot and i struck back in the lungs and went the lenght of the body cavity and exited the opposite thigh. probably 20" of penetration, with less meat damage than most centerfires. Did not find any fragments in the body. Ill be using the same load next year, performance is hard to beat.