.44mag Ballistic Gel Block Testing the Hornady 180gr XTP Bullet with 4 Barrel Lengths. .44 magnum HP

[@randyadams03]

Agree with Frank. Serious defense application. Thanks again Matt. Good morning

[@russelljones1986]

Wow, very good explanation of weight and mass. You have got me interested.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@tombraley3212]

Awesome, Matt! Good eye opener on #9

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Excellent! Very well done. We really appreciate and enjoy the 44 magnum coverage. The variety in barrel lengths is a huge asset in many ways. And the end chart of comparable ballistics is great. I was already intending to go research that very thing and then you did it for us. Many thanks. Lord bless & enjoy. By the way if you are looking for a reason to get another 44 magnum, it would be good to have a 16" in between the 9" and 20"...lol. You can tell your wife that the subscribers recommended it. Stay safe & well.

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@guardianminifarm8005 thanks, she wouldn’t be surprised at all. Lol

[@ducktapepilot]

Hornady XTP is hard to beat. Really impressed with how this bullet performed across all the different barrel lengths.

[@e.l.robbins5614]

Great tests in this series. For hunting deer and self defense the 180 and 200 grn xtp bullets are good to go.

[@thomasdaniel6495]

Unfortunately I have quit reloading and hope to get back into it soon.But years ago I did a similar loading using 2400 with the Sierra 180gr bullet,shooting them out of a 7.5in Redhawk.Found them to be explosive up close causing massive wounds and short wound channels,but with enough penetration to be useful for self defense.But I got smarter and went to more manageable self defense gun.These light bullets are excellent when maximum shock but less penetration is desired. By the way,I was getting 1800fps out of those rounds,so right in step with what you were getting.Interesting to watch your videos and look forward to seeing more.

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@thomasdaniel6495 Awesome! I’ll be adding a few more .44mag as the weather allows. I have a subscriber sending me some of his cast bullets to test too 😉

[@frankbrowning328]

Looks like a great load for self defense

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@frankbrowning328 definitely. Nice expansion and it doesn’t over penetrate 👍🏻

[@whiteoakmountain]

Warning about the 180gr XTP for deer hunting. If you have velocities above 1600 fps at the muzzle and you shoot a deer under 50 yards and happen to hit bone on the way in, for example hitting a rib, the 180gr XTPs will normally explode on impact with the rib and leave a huge surface wound but penetration can be only a few inches deep. Deer hit like this can run a long distance before bleeding out. If you don't hit bone or barely hit bone they work like a lighting bolt and drop deer in their tracks. In my 40 years of hunting experience and reloading with XTP bullets for deer hunting, it is a 50/50 chance that the 180gr XTP will give you a fast kill or not. I have found the 240gr XTPs to be safer for deer hunting with higher velocities at the muzzle. The jacket is thicker and it punches through ribs like they aren't there. Regardless of high velocities and close in shots or long range shots, call that 15 yards to 130 yards, the 240gr XTP will normally give you a complete pass through the lungs even if it hits ribs going in and on the exit side. For personal defense I am a big fan of the 180gr XTP because humans don't require 2 feet of penetration. The 240gr XTP is perfect for whitetail deer up and including mule deer. I have had very good results using 2400 powder. Some folks don't like it because it does make your pistol a bit dirty but it wipes right off and I get excellent accuracy and high velocities from it.

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@whiteoakmountain for sure, the 240gr snd 300gr test prove more weight gives deeper penetration.

[@whiteoakmountain]

@@kentuckyrangetime I like the 300gr XTPs as well. They shoot great out of my New Model Super Blackhawk and my Ruger Super Redhawk. Solid performers on deer. I lean towards the 240gr XTP mostly because I like the higher velocity but I am not sure there is a significant difference on deer when using the 240s versus the 300s. I need to watch those videos of yours. Thanks for doing the work.

[@robertseafield5810]

Another very informative post for us handloaders. Looks like the 180 gr 44 XTP might be the defense load for the M69. AA#9 burns clean if you might have to reload quickly.

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@robertseafield5810 for sure 👍🏻

[@michaelrocole7174]

Definately a defense round but I wonder how it would do in the 44 Special top velocities of around 950 FPS

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@michaelrocole7174 Good question. Might be a future test to see how well it expands.

[@chrisgabbert658]

I’ve got a box of 180gr 1000fps special Hornady Custom 🤷‍♂️ there pleasant in my super Blackhawk 4 5/8 barrel.

[@johnwilburn8319]

EXCELLENT!!!!!

[@terrywagner7551]

How about Trying the Hornady 265 grn. Felix Tip bullet ?

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@terrywagner7551 That’s been a popular question. Lol. I have them on the shelf and plan to in the future but there’s no load data for it in .44 mag so I’ll have to go through a series of load test to get it worked up to safe pressures before I test it. 😉

[@williamgaines9784]

The empty jar on the block always makes me think of William Tell and the apple on the "block".🤭 Lil Gun is slower than No9 so should do better in the longer barrels. I have bought some Accurate #11FS to work up some rifle loads, when I get started back up handloading. I will likely use the 240 grain range of bullets for the better s.d. and b.c. The 180s in the EDC sized guns like the 2.5-4" could use faster powders like Win 244, Unique, Universal. I have some 244 and Alliant BE-86 I might try with 180s. Got to get my hands to work instead of just my mind and backside though.😂🙁 Great content.👍👍

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@williamgaines9784 lol. I use a lot of BE-86 for my 10mm 180gr loads, big fan of it.

[@williamgaines9784]

@kentuckyrangetime Brownell's had it on sale w/no hazmat and the load data looked good, so got some and a case of Win LargePistolPrimers. Back in the day when I reloaded for my 38&357 my powders were Bullseye and 2400, in the cardboard cannisters branded Hercules, and a Winchester powder now discontinued. My rifle powder was IMR4831, only loaded for 25-06, still under DuPont label. I've been out of the loop a goodly while. Growing a family can do that to you.

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@williamgaines9784 I understand that. My 2 are out on their own now and it makes for more time and more $$ 😉

[@PCUser-m4u]

@@kentuckyrangetime BE-86 is a great powder. Like Unique, you can load most things with it to a high standard. It's stellar in 9mm, 40SW and 357 Sig, and really good for upper mid-range 38 Special +P and 357 Mag. I've got 12 other pistol powders but use more of BE-86 than anything else. I try a lot of things, but don't have 10mm or 44mag and enjoy seeing the things you use various powders for and the results you get. Thanks for another interesting test.

[@PCUser-m4u]

As best I can establish Accurate 11FS is the same thing as W296/H110, just with a lot less published load data. Should be excellent for your rifle loads using magnum revolver calibers. BE-86 is a big favorite of mine. It's just a touch slower burning than Unique, so it takes a little heavier charge and produces a bit more velocity at the same pressure. It works well in the wide range of classic Unique applications. It won't equal the speed of No.9 or 11FS in Magnum revolver cartridges but works really well for upper-mid range loads, is far more economical and ignites readily with standard primers. And it's excellent in calibers with less case capacity.

[@johnnymccann5607]

you can see why I sing the praise of the hornady xtp and serria jhc . I have taken so many deer 180gr xtp bullet. I reload 44special 180gr xtp for my 41year old daughter and husband 180gr xtp at 1050-1100fps in 3in barrel rossi model 720 44 special. the only thing about hunting with these bullets at higher speeds is they turn on small tree limbs affecting accuracy. if there is a finer double duty self defense/ hunting bullet out there I have met it yet. Papa wishing you well 😊

[@lens7859]

Great round. How did the primers look?

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@lens7859 nothing noticeable. I case all my fired rounds back in the box at the range and glance over them when I’m finished. If anything looks flat I’ll inspect closer but everything was ✅

[@user-ti7uj4dq5n]

Awesome video , thanks 👍🏻 Ever try the 210gr Speer Gold Dot ?

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@user-ti7uj4dq5n No, but only because I can never find them!

[@PCUser-m4u]

@@kentuckyrangetime Natchez has some.

[@ssgtdan480]

Is there a reason you don’t list your powder load? Just curious

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@ssgtdan480 it’s at the top of the spreadsheet, near the end of the video, with the other data. 😉

[@T-riumph955i]

I'm super new to reloading and wanted to know your thoughts on loads. I have 180gr xtp and wanted to use win296 powder with magnum primers. I found that 29.0 grains is the starting powder charge with win296. Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated 🙏

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@T-riumph955i That’s really close to a max charge. Are you using a Loading manual or Hodgdon’s Reloading Data Center for your info? What will you be shooting them in? If your new, loading close or at a max velocity can be risky. Until you understand how different primers, a couple extra tenths of powder from a faulty scale, a bullet seated a bit deeper or a case with a smaller internal volume affects your pressures it would be safer to start with a mid velocity load. Do several sessions of loads followed by range trips to shoot them. Gradually work your powder loads upwards to the top end loads. This builds in some forgiveness in your reloading equipment and will allow corrections before getting into dangerous pressure areas. .44 mag and Win-296 can reach unsafe level pretty quickly for some firearms at the top end of the charge weights.

[@T-riumph955i]

@kentuckyrangetime I found the powder load data in my Lyman 51st edition and some research online and also Hornaday site. I'm shooting with a taurus tracker m44 with 8.38 barrel. I made some rookie mistakes and bought 4lbs of win296 and 500rds of Hornaday 180xtp bullets and I'm trying to use what I bought.

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@ Sounds like a good mistake too me. 😂. Win 296 is a great powder, (REALLY close to H-110) and it’s always cheaper to buy powder in 4 or 8lb jugs😉. Win-296 is an excellent powder for .357mag too 😉. EDIT… I misread that 29gr was the starting load.. ignore the original paragraph I had here. Lol I normally even load past the book max in .2gr increments till I start getting pressure signs then I go back down to the last load with no issues and put it in my load book. I’ve been doing this for over 15years so make sure you know what your pressure signs look like so you know when to back up. If not sure, don’t take the chance. 😉

[@T-riumph955i]

@kentuckyrangetime thanks for the tips and your thoughts, there greatly appreciated 🙏. I bought the win 296 to load 357mag and 44mag and maybe eventually 460 s&w magnum one day. I look forward to your videos and knowledge in the future. I'm a new subscriber so I'm watching some of your older vids to gain some knowledge. Thank you

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@ lol. Some of my older videos will show how far I’ve come in my video and editing skills. 😂😂. You can definitely see my progression there too. 😉

[@garrettschienschang7898]

Any chance of you testing a 265 ftx? It would let me know when my 444 does at 250+

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@garrettschienschang7898 I would have already done them if I had load data for it in .44mag. 😉 I have 3 boxes of those bullets I picked up at a really good price, not realizing Hornady only has data for them in .444. I’ll get them tested eventually but it’ll take a few trips to work up a load to ensure I have safe pressures. We went from 67 degrees Wednesday to low 30’s and an inch of snow here yesterday so the gel tests will also be on hold till I can get temps back up in the 50s 😢

[@garrettschienschang7898]

@ thanks for trying. I appreciate the commitment

[@garrettschienschang7898]

@ hypothetical question how do you think the 200 grain XTP would do if I loaded it at about 2800 ft./s

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@ I’m pretty sure it would blow apart. 😂😂. There is a recommended max velocity for the XTPs. They also make an XTP MAG bullets for some calibers to run at faster velocities. Update. Did some research and found Hornady’s recommended max for the 200gr is 1,650fps😂😂😂. Well now..🙄🤔😂

[@garrettschienschang7898]

@ if an explosive projectile is what I need to get a good point blank range following my states stupid strait wall hunting laws so be it

[@ssgtdan480]

Is there any particular reason you use AA#9 instead of H110/296?

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@ssgtdan480 It takes about 25-30% less powder using AA#9. That’s adds up to a lot more rounds (115 extra rounds per pound) with a powder that’s a few dollars cheaper per pound than H-110. 😉

[@ssgtdan480]

@ I guess that’s one way to think about it

[@corynewton1760]

hope im never on the wrong side of that one

[@kentuckyrangetime]

@@corynewton1760 Definitely wouldn’t be a good day..,lol