Hornady’s 10mm .400 200gr XTP bullet in Clear Ballistics Gel.

[5pins]

Test Gun: Delta Elite
Barrel length: 5 inches.
Bullet: Hornady .400 200gr XTP (Handload).
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: PACT 1 XP with inferred sky screens.
Five shot velocity average: 1159fps
Gel Temperature 71 degrees.


I have always liked the XTP bullet even though it seems to be overshadowed by some of the more premium bullets available. It seems to normally give modest expansion with deep penetration and I felt it would make a good choice in the 10mm. I worked up a load using Alliant Blue Dot and ended up with a five shot average of 1159fps with a high of 1180fps and a low of 1134fps. 46fps spread is a little more than I would like to see. There was no sign of excessive pressure and I may bump up the charge and see if that brings down the extreme spread. Other than that I'm pretty happy with this load.



The first shot into the bare gel penetrated 19 inches and expanded to .64 inches. The second round went 21 inches and expanded to .65 inches. Unfortunately, the chronograph didn't pick up either shot.



I then shot two rounds into the heavy clothed gel with the first round penetrated 25.5 inches at a velocity of 1195fps and expanded to .53 inches. Round two hit at 1162fps, expanded to .52 inches and penetrated to 22.5 inches.



Later in the day, I decided to shoot the last round I had through four layers of heavy denim. Unfortunately, the bullet exited the left side of the second block and the 23-inch mark and was found lying on the floor. As you can see the denim retarded expansion considerably.

[blaster]

  thanks for sharing the info.

[The_Shadow]

Thanks 5Pins for sharing the results.  If you could share the charge weight data for your Blue Dot load of the test, that would be of interest to me...  I suspect it will be near 10.4 grains.  Even with the velocity spread they can be very accurate.

I have used 10.5 grains from my S&W 1006 with CCI350 mag primers that yield 1200 fps +/-

[Goetztalon]

Great info! Thanks!!!

[Rojo27]

Thanks 5Pins...  Underwood ramps those 200gr XTP's up to 1,250fps (seems like he might have loaded them even a little hotter at one time but backed down to current levels).  It's an outstanding choice for hunting.  I've had excellent results on wild boar (big & angry ones at that) & deer using this bullet.

Not my first choice for personal defense (although I think it'd be very effective) in urban environment do to the deep penetration characteristics.

[5pins]

Thanks 5Pins for sharing the results.  If you could share the charge weight data for your Blue Dot load of the test, that would be of interest to me...  I suspect it will be near 10.4 grains.  Even with the velocity spread they can be very accurate.

I have used 10.5 grains from my S&W 1006 with CCI350 mag primers that yield 1200 fps +/-

9.4 grains, CCI300 primers.

[The_Shadow]

Thanks for the updated data...The newer Blue Dot lots must be a little more potent than my batch...or maybe the bore is sealing better.

[sep]

I too load the 200 XTP with 9.4 grains of Blue Dot as well with CCI 300 primers. I bumped the charge weight up to 10.0 grains of Blue Dot/CCI 300 with 200 grain WFNPB Montana bullet works bullets for an average velocity of 1216 fps ES of 33 fps out of my STI Perfect 10 with 6 inch barrel. I haven't tried increasing the powder charge weight with the 200 XTPs and I haven't chronographed them either so I can't help you there.

[5pins]

I had the chance to try some Nosler 200gr JHP today. I used the same 9.4gr of Blue Dot I used with the XTP. The average five-shot velocity was about 20fps less than the XTP at 1139fps with a high of 1163fps and a low of 1124fps. Even though the velocity was lower it seemed to have more recoil and muzzle flash. It also showed signs of higher pressure.



This time I just shot two rounds in bare gel and didn't set up the chrony. The first round penetrated 19 inches expanded to .70 inches and had a recovered weight of 183gr. The second round only penetrated to 16.5 inches and a recovered diameter of .68 inches and a weight of 181gr.

It was interesting to see how the Nosler performed but I think I'm going to continue forward with the XTP.

[The_Shadow]

5pins, Thanks for an other good range report.  I have measured some Nosler bullets and found some of them to be slightly under sized.  I may be me but I think the Hornady jackets on their bullets may be a softer gilding alloy than some other bullets.  The jacket cup is thicker toward the base as well.  This may account for the Nosler having some pressure signs...