Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Stein on August 24, 2021, 10:27:07 AM


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Title: Winchester Deer Season XP?
Post by: Stein on August 24, 2021, 10:27:07 AM
Well, ammo is in short supply and I ended up with only 10 rounds of reloads left (no more powder) but was able to grab three boxes of Winchester Deer Season XP for my son's first deer hunt.  They are all .243 in 95 grain and the reloads are Nosler Ballistic Tips.  Both group about the same, XP seem to be going faster as they hit 1.5" high at 100 compared to the Noslers.

Anyone have experience with the XPs?  Internet seems to say they work well and rarely exit.  Sound to be the same grenade action as the Noslers, not ideal but we don't have any other options at this point.

I'm tempted to go with the XPs since we can go to the range once more where we would be done shooting if we used the Noslers.
Title: Re: Winchester Deer Season XP?
Post by: HillHound on August 24, 2021, 10:37:29 AM
They are probably fine for a deer out of the 243 but I would still coach him to put it behind the shoulder instead of through the shoulder. That’s all I had a few years back for my 300wsm. I shot a bear with them and they exploded on contact. The entry wound looked like an exit wound and there was no exit wound. Luckily a fragment of the bullet severed an artery on its heart or I would’ve never found it. I used the rest of mine at the range
Title: Re: Winchester Deer Season XP?
Post by: D-Rock425 on August 24, 2021, 12:36:17 PM
I bought some for my 270wsm shot okay at the range also picked up some for a 6.5 creedmoor I got for my girls but I haven't shot that yet.
Title: Re: Winchester Deer Season XP?
Post by: Stein on August 30, 2021, 10:28:13 AM
I thought I would post a follow-up in case anyone was following or finds this thread later.

My son ended up taking a doe with a single shot, perfect placement.  The doe tipped over where she stood, bullet passed through with a 2" exit in the ribs.  Lungs mostly jelly, top of the heart was ripped apart.  Overall, seemed like a very effective bullet although only one data point. 

We'll likely use them again this fall.
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