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The Hornadys are all 300 grains. The Thompson/Center polymer tip PTX is made by Hornady and weighs 240 grains. T/C makes a 300 grain PTX of similar construction. Notice:
The XTP MAG and PTX have thicker jackets than the XTP, and the XTP has a thicker jacket than the .45/70 hollow point. The .47/70 hollow point's expansion is rated for 1600-2100 fps. The XTP expansion is rated from 800-1700 fps. Lonny at Hornady told me the 300 XTP MAG's expansion is rated from 1000 fps up to... he didn't say. Look at that PTX- notice the thick jacket and Interlock triangle half way up the bullet. This is no wimpy bullet!
Notice the core is separated on the left side of the XTP by the double cannelures. I think this is from the sawing and wet sanding, because the jacket easily flexes back in to position. I think the little flaw on the left side at the tip might be real, because the jacket can't be pressed in at all with finger pressures. Is this a problem? It does not appear to be- accuracy is known to be excellent with the XTPs.
Cost: This depends, of course. According to my MidSouth catalog, the PTX costs $9.94 per 50 ( $0.20 per bullet) while the 250 grain XTP (not shown) costs $12.99 per 100 ($0.13 per bullet). These are 2001 prices. After writing this up, I think I'll give those PTXs a closer look.
There is one other thing to consider. I believe that the 300
grain bullets work more reliably at igniting the tough-to-get-going
powders than the lighter, shorter bullets. Maybe it's their initial
momentum, or they anchor the sabot more reliably- whatever it
is, the tough powders like the heavier bullets. Of course, there
is no reason not to use a powder that is easier to ignite.
One-Shot Says: "As you can tell I like the Hornady .452 250gr and 300gr XTP's. I have tried many bullets over the years, but these two have been the very best performers by far. The only other bullet that shots more accurate than these, is the Devel "Radial Dynamic" .451 175gr bullet. With 45.0 grains of XMP-5744, this bullet will produce consitant 1/2" groups at 2,400+ fps."
"I've been killing game with the Hornady .452 250gr and 300gr XTP's at 2,200+ fps for years. If this bullet will perform at 800 fps then it will perform at 2,200 fps. As I said, I have atleast 100 kills with these bullets at velocities exceeding 2,200 fps, over the last 10 years. You can beleive it or not, but the fact of the matter is, is that these bullets perform very well at centerfire velocities, regardless of what the Hornady's website says"
Lonnie at Hornady Says: "The Hornady .45 cal. .452" dia. HP/XTP-MAG bullets can easily handle the velocities that you are obtaining with your Savage M-10 ML II muzzle loading rifles. The HP/XTP-MAG bullets have a heavier base jacket than the standard HP/XTP bullets. These bullets hold together better and keep the bullet from fragmenting compared to the standard HP/XTP bullets at high velocities."