Colt 45 day at the range with 230 gr XTP test
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 8:30 pm
Very nice day this afternoon for shooting a variety of my Colt 45 shooters and to do a load test of my XTP 230 gr. JHP using 9.2 gr. of Unique.
Was very happy with the test data using the Ruger New Vaquero with 5.5 barrel for the speed test and the S&W Model 25-7 for the target and ballistic gel test. Let me say that the Model 25 would be the last revolver I would ever let go as the thing shoots extremely well! Target distance was 10 yds. and shooting one handed from standing position.
Very interesting was the second shot into the gel block which is the top track in block that swapped ends when it stopped!
Looks like both rounds reached the end of the block which was backed up with a second block and sprung back 1.5 to 2 inches from looking at the bullet track. Block is 16 inch in length and the bullets stopped at about 14.3 and little over 13 inches. Bullet expansion measured .680 and .650. and shot from 30 ft from gel block. Bullet speed was 950 to 970 FPS.
Again very happy with test results of the Hornady XTP 230 gr. bullet normally used for .45 ACP. Will load up more of these for Self Defense use for the S&W 25 and my other mid frame .45 revolvers.
The other load was my 230 gr. "Trouble Shooters" as I call them which are Missouri Bullets 250 gr RNFP faced back to a 230 gr. weight and a nice .390-.400 sized flat nose. Speed on those was 960 to 990 FPS as shot thru the Ruger New Vaquero and would make a nice stopping load for max penetration.
Also wanted to test out my new rear sight mod on the Rossi Ranch Hand. I set the buck horn rear sight up in the mill and cut a U shape or a semi ghost ring type deal. Easy to get on target and position the front bead. Nice 4 shot group with 2 in a ragged hole for the way you have to hold the Ranch Hand to shoot it and from 15 yds. standing. Load was typical 255 gr. LSWC and plated bullets with 8.5 Unique.
And last shot my .22 LR Cattleman 12 shooter after lightening up the hammer spring to see if it still fired rounds okay.
Was a great day at the range!
Was very happy with the test data using the Ruger New Vaquero with 5.5 barrel for the speed test and the S&W Model 25-7 for the target and ballistic gel test. Let me say that the Model 25 would be the last revolver I would ever let go as the thing shoots extremely well! Target distance was 10 yds. and shooting one handed from standing position.
Very interesting was the second shot into the gel block which is the top track in block that swapped ends when it stopped!
Looks like both rounds reached the end of the block which was backed up with a second block and sprung back 1.5 to 2 inches from looking at the bullet track. Block is 16 inch in length and the bullets stopped at about 14.3 and little over 13 inches. Bullet expansion measured .680 and .650. and shot from 30 ft from gel block. Bullet speed was 950 to 970 FPS.
Again very happy with test results of the Hornady XTP 230 gr. bullet normally used for .45 ACP. Will load up more of these for Self Defense use for the S&W 25 and my other mid frame .45 revolvers.
The other load was my 230 gr. "Trouble Shooters" as I call them which are Missouri Bullets 250 gr RNFP faced back to a 230 gr. weight and a nice .390-.400 sized flat nose. Speed on those was 960 to 990 FPS as shot thru the Ruger New Vaquero and would make a nice stopping load for max penetration.
Also wanted to test out my new rear sight mod on the Rossi Ranch Hand. I set the buck horn rear sight up in the mill and cut a U shape or a semi ghost ring type deal. Easy to get on target and position the front bead. Nice 4 shot group with 2 in a ragged hole for the way you have to hold the Ranch Hand to shoot it and from 15 yds. standing. Load was typical 255 gr. LSWC and plated bullets with 8.5 Unique.
And last shot my .22 LR Cattleman 12 shooter after lightening up the hammer spring to see if it still fired rounds okay.
Was a great day at the range!
Glad you stopped by anyway!