I just ordered 80rds from conely ammo the other day, they will load just about anything you ask them to. I had them work up a load for me using 300gr XTP for my 444 marlin. Has anyone used this bullet on deer? With this hollow point bullet should I avoid shoulder shots? Just curious to see if anyone has experience with the XTP as I might use the 240gr XTP in my 44 for deer also.

I havent used the 300 xtp on deer yet but I know they pretty much explode in phone books when shot from a 444. Complete jacket separation with several flat pieces of lead was all I could find. I think it would kill deer no problem, even though I dont think the bullet was designed to go that fast. Im sure the 240 xtp would be even worse. I think these bullets were designed for 44mag velocities, which at that speed should hold together quite a bit better. I am curious too about the shoulder shots, let us know if you try it.

I just ordered 80rds from conely ammo the other day, they will load just about anything you ask them to. I had them work up a load for me using 300gr XTP for my 444 marlin. Has anyone used this bullet on deer? With this hollow point bullet should I avoid shoulder shots? Just curious to see if anyone has experience with the XTP as I might use the 240gr XTP in my 44 for deer also.
I haven't tried the xtps but am using 300gr barnes hps in my 444 . Shot a spike buck this year at 125yds going away from me and caught him in in the left hip low. bullet entrance was 2.5inches and carried on up through the gut and to the lungs, made quite a mess inside but dropped right there. I didnt look for the bullet the effect was good enough for me. In future I will try to avoid bone shots with this round.

I didn't know they made a XTP's for a 444 Marlin rifle, I use them in my revolvers SRH 44mag/454 Casull, I would think if your using the handgun 44mag bullets they would not hold up to the fps the 444 marlin achieves, The bullets are designed for handgun speeds, for the 444 you need a thicker skinned bullet. Try the Hornady interlocks, you can count on that bullet to hold together at the higher speeds, I have used them on Black bears and German boars, the interlocks did the job well done. I have also used Hornadys 300gr JHP's for my 450 marlin guidegun, they shoot great and hold up well passing through steal plates;), can't wait to slam a whitetail with them. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

I have not used it in the 444, but I have shot the Hornady 300 JHP in the 45-70. I have shot several deer with that bullet and it has never failed me. It is amazing that it punches a thumb size hole in and out, breaks the shoulders but doesnt tear up stuff. You can almost eat right up to the hole. I have not had a deer travel farther than 2 steps after getting hit with that bullet.

I have not used it in the 444, but I have shot the Hornady 300 JHP in the 45-70. I have shot several deer with that bullet and it has never failed me. It is amazing that it punches a thumb size hole in and out, breaks the shoulders but doesnt tear up stuff. You can almost eat right up to the hole. I have not had a deer travel farther than 2 steps after getting hit with that bullet.


I have used this bullet on Kangaroos. I noticed that there was a large entry hole from these. There was always full penetration with side on shots. That was from a .444.

I used 200 grain XTP with 44 MAG lever action carbine on a blacktail deer hunt in California's coastal mountains. One shot at about 85 yards and the buck took off like a scalded cat. He ran in a straight line for about 40 feet and hit the ground nose first plowing a shallow furrow in the sun hardened ground. Entrance wound was thumb diameter but no exit hole. Inside of chest looked similar to antelope I've shot with .243; in other words-lots of lung tissue damage.

I found most of the bullet. It was completely flat and about 3/4 inch diameter.
TR

i have used the 300 gr xtp in the 444 backed by 39 gr of 4198 for about 1950 fps. i quit using them on Texas deer cuz i like to eat what i shoot. this load has literally blown deer sideways and off their feet. i stick with the 265 gr hornady and 45.3 gr of I-4198. shoots under 2" at 100 yds. i have taken scads of deer and one hog and one turkey with this load. my 2 pennies.