Did a little amount of sampling this weekend. I used 4 different type of 300 grain bullets:
1. 300 grain Hornady XTP Mag
2. 300 grain Hornady HP .458 diameter 45 -70 bullet resized to .452
3. 300 grain Hornady SST (from Muzzleload packs)
4. 300 grain WNFP lead bullet (gas check)
All bullets were shot over a charge of 30.5 grs of LG and a WSR primer. I have used #2 quite a bit in the past and they shot good, but I wanted to get a feel how they would shoot at 200 yards and if the drop approximated the Hornady Web Ballistic Program. My shooting position was not the best -- prone on sandbags and using a 4X scope.
Numbers 1, 2, and 3 and shot the relatively same group size -- 1 1/4 inch to 1 1/2 inch at 100 yards. Number 4 shot 2 inches higher at 100 yards that the rest, but the group size was on the order of 6 inches -- very poor. Velocities of 1, 2, and 3 were all in the 1850 fps range. SD's and ES's were close to each other. I didn't bother with #4.
At 200 yards, 1 and 2 printed 11 inches low (100 yard zero) and group pretty much into a shade less that 3 inches. Number 3, the pointed one, shot 2 inches lower (13 inches), off to the left of the other groups and in the 4 inch range. That baffles me! It is supposed to shoot flatter -- but I am beginning to wonder if "long" bullets would prefer a little faster twist than 1/24.
Number 4 hit the target only once, which was two feet square. I have not been able to get those bullets to shoot at all --- and now they are all gone --- good ridance!
At this point my perference for a 300 gr. will now be the XTP/Mag. The nose has a little jacket cover with prevents deformation during cycling versus the 45-70 bullet and I do not have to resize them. Although, the energy of these bullets is way below the factory 250 FXT -- which sorry to say -- is a challenge to beat. I want a little heavier bullet for hunting because I am one of those that wants complete bullet penetration on a deer. If I have to follow a blood trail -- I want leaking on both sides!