Hornady XTP 9mm .355 124 Grain Hollow Point Bullets: The Ultimate Choice for Reloading Performance and Reliability

When selecting components for reloading, particularly for critical applications like self-defense or ethical hunting, precision, consistency, and terminal performance are paramount. The Hornady XTP (Extreme Terminal Performance) 9mm .355 124 grain hollow point bullet, identified by its SKU 35571, stands as a benchmark in the industry, trusted by shooters who demand nothing less than exceptional results. Available for purchase at DEGuns, these bullets represent the pinnacle of Hornady's dedication to ballistic excellence.

Are you a dedicated reloader seeking to craft ammunition with superior ballistic characteristics? Do you prioritize reliable expansion, consistent penetration, and exceptional accuracy for your 9mm handgun? Whether you're building loads for personal protection, competitive shooting, or specific hunting scenarios, understanding the engineering behind the Hornady XTP 124 grain hollow point is essential. This detailed exploration will delve into what makes the XTP a top-tier choice, how it addresses critical performance needs, and why it's a staple for discerning reloaders.

Engineered for Excellence: The Hornady XTP Design Philosophy

The Hornady XTP bullet is not just another hollow point; it's a meticulously engineered projectile designed to deliver controlled, predictable performance across a wide range of velocities. This precision is born from decades of Hornady's research and development, focusing on the intricate dance between bullet construction and terminal ballistics.

The Science of Controlled Expansion

One of the most defining characteristics of the XTP hollow point is its ability to achieve controlled expansion, consistently expanding to approximately 1.5 times its original diameter. This isn't random expansion; it's a carefully managed process. Unlike some hollow points that might over-expand and fragment too quickly or fail to expand at all, the XTP's design ensures optimal energy transfer within the target. Why is this critical?

• For Self-Defense: In a life-threatening situation, predictable and effective energy transfer is crucial for neutralizing a threat. Controlled expansion means the bullet creates a larger wound channel, maximizing tissue disruption while minimizing the risk of over-penetration, which could pose a danger to bystanders or objects beyond the intended target.
• For Hunting: When used for appropriate small game or varmint hunting applications (where legal and ethical for handguns), controlled expansion ensures a humane and efficient take. The bullet delivers its energy effectively within the animal, reducing the chance of a wounded animal escaping.

The Advantage of a Heavier Jacket

The Hornady XTP features a uniquely designed, heavier jacket. This isn't merely a thicker layer of copper; it's an integral part of the bullet's structural integrity and performance. The robust jacket serves several key purposes:

• Resilience Under Pressure: High-performance handgun cartridges generate substantial pressures and velocities. The XTP's heavy jacket is engineered to withstand these forces without deforming prematurely, maintaining the bullet's structural integrity from the moment of ignition through its flight path and upon impact.
• Consistent Penetration: The jacket's strength contributes to reliable penetration. It helps the bullet resist "jacketing over" (where the hollow point cavity becomes plugged), ensuring that expansion can occur as intended even after encountering various barriers. This results in more consistent performance through different mediums.
• Weight Retention: A strong jacket helps the bullet retain a high percentage of its original weight upon impact. High weight retention ensures deeper, more consistent penetration and better energy transfer, as the entire mass of the bullet is working to create the wound channel.
• Enhanced Accuracy: The precisely manufactured jacket, combined with a lead core, contributes to the bullet's exceptional concentricity and balance, which are critical factors for achieving superior accuracy, especially at longer handgun ranges.

Key Specifications and What They Mean for Your Reloads

Understanding the detailed specifications of the Hornady XTP 9mm 124 grain bullet provides insight into its performance capabilities and why it's a preferred choice for many reloaders.

• Caliber: 9mm (.355): This indicates the nominal caliber, with .355 inches being the precise bullet diameter for 9mm Luger projectiles, ensuring a proper fit and seal within the bore of 9mm firearms.
• Weight: 124 grains (gr): The 124-grain weight is a popular and versatile choice for 9mm. It offers a good balance between velocity, recoil impulse, and kinetic energy, making it suitable for both self-defense and target shooting. It's often considered a "standard" weight for the 9mm, leading to excellent compatibility with a wide range of firearms.
• Bullet Type: Hollow Point (HP): As discussed, the hollow point design is fundamental to its terminal performance, facilitating controlled expansion upon impact.
• Core Material: Lead: The traditional and effective choice for bullet cores, offering excellent malleability for consistent expansion and optimal weight distribution.
• Jacket Material: Copper: The gold standard for bullet jackets, providing strength, consistency, and reduced bore fouling compared to unjacketed lead bullets.
• Ballistic Coefficient (BC): .165: This figure represents the bullet's ability to overcome air resistance. A higher BC indicates better aerodynamic efficiency, leading to flatter trajectories and less wind drift at longer distances. For handgun cartridges, while not as critical as for rifle cartridges, a respectable BC still contributes to predictable external ballistics.
• Sectional Density (SD): .141: Sectional density is the ratio of a bullet's mass to its cross-sectional area. A higher SD generally correlates with better penetration capabilities, assuming other factors like bullet construction are equal. The .141 SD of the 124-grain 9mm XTP is indicative of its ability to penetrate effectively before expanding.

Real-World Applications and Why Reloaders Choose XTP

The versatility and proven performance of the Hornady XTP 9mm 124 grain hollow point make it suitable for a variety of critical applications for the discerning reloader.

For Self-Defense and Home Protection

When it comes to personal safety, reliability and terminal effectiveness are non-negotiable. Many reloaders choose Hornady XTP components to custom-craft their self-defense ammunition for several compelling reasons:

• Trusted Performance: The XTP has a long-standing reputation for consistent and reliable expansion in various mediums, including ballistic gel, which simulates tissue. This predictability builds confidence that the bullet will perform as intended if ever needed.
• Deep, Controlled Penetration: The heavy jacket and precise hollow point cavity work in tandem to achieve sufficient penetration to reach vital organs without excessive over-penetration, a key concern in defensive scenarios.
• Reliable Feeding: The XTP's sleek profile is designed to feed smoothly in a wide array of semi-automatic pistols, minimizing the risk of malfunctions during a critical moment. When reloading, replicating this consistent profile through proper seating and crimping is achievable.
• Personalized Loads: Reloading allows you to tailor the powder charge and overall length to your specific firearm, ensuring optimal reliability and performance in your individual defensive pistol, something off-the-shelf ammunition cannot always guarantee.

For Ethical Small Game Hunting and Varmint Control (Where Applicable)

While the 9mm is not typically considered a primary hunting cartridge, specialized applications exist for handgun hunters targeting small game like rabbits, squirrels, or larger varmints such as coyotes (depending on local regulations and ethical considerations). For these niche uses:

• Humane Take: The XTP's controlled expansion delivers energy efficiently, aiming for a quick, ethical dispatch of the animal.
• Accuracy for Precision Shots: The inherent accuracy of the XTP helps hunters place shots precisely, which is vital for humane hunting.
• Optimized Performance: Reloaders can fine-tune loads to achieve the best balance of velocity and energy for the specific game and ranges they intend to hunt.

For Competitive Shooting and Practice Reloading

While dedicated target bullets might be chosen for pure accuracy in competition, the XTP's consistency makes it an excellent choice for practice or even some practical shooting disciplines where terminal performance is simulated or relevant.

• Consistent Ballistics: Developing a load with XTPs means you're working with a bullet that behaves predictably, allowing you to fine-tune your reloading process for maximum consistency.
• Cost-Effective Practice: Purchasing components like the XTP in bulk from DEGuns and reloading allows for significant savings over factory-loaded ammunition, enabling more practice time without breaking the bank.

The Reloading Advantage: Crafting Your Perfect Load with Hornady XTP

Choosing Hornady XTP components for your reloading bench empowers you to create ammunition precisely tuned to your needs and your firearm. What considerations are important when reloading with XTPs?

• Powder Selection: Matching the right powder type and charge weight to the 124-grain XTP is critical for achieving desired velocities, pressures, and consistent ignition. Consult reliable reloading manuals for starting loads and work up incrementally.
• Seating Depth (Overall Length - OAL): The OAL directly impacts chamber pressure and feeding reliability. Ensure your chosen OAL allows for reliable feeding in your specific firearm while remaining within SAAMI specifications and safe pressure limits. The XTP's consistent ogive (bullet nose profile) aids in achieving consistent seating.
• Crimp: A proper crimp is essential for consistent ignition and preventing bullet setback. The XTP's cannelure (if present, often the case for revolver bullets but less common on straight-wall auto pistol bullets like 9mm XTPs) or the solid construction of its jacket facilitates a secure crimp.
• Primers: Selecting the appropriate primer type (e.g., small pistol) and ensuring consistent seating are foundational to reliable cartridge ignition.

When you reload with Hornady XTP, you're not just assembling components; you're leveraging Hornady's engineering expertise to create ammunition that offers supreme confidence and control. The consistency in manufacturing, from the copper jacket to the lead core, ensures that each XTP bullet will perform predictably, shot after shot. This consistency is a cornerstone of reloading accuracy and performance.

Why Choose Hornady XTP from DEGuns?

When purchasing critical reloading components like the Hornady XTP 9mm .355 124 gr Hollow Point, sourcing them from a reputable retailer like DEGuns ensures you receive genuine, high-quality products. DEGuns is committed to providing reloaders with the best components on the market, backed by knowledgeable service. Whether you're stocking up for a high-volume reloading session or acquiring components for a specialized load development project, DEGuns is your trusted partner.

The Hornady XTP line has consistently proven itself in real-world scenarios, earning a reputation for reliability and effectiveness that few other bullets can match. Its meticulous design, focusing on controlled expansion and jacket integrity, sets it apart as a premier choice for both defensive and specific hunting applications. Investing in Hornady XTP bullets for your reloading projects means investing in unparalleled performance and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your ammunition is built to the highest standards. Experience the Extreme Terminal Performance difference for yourself.

Attribute	Specification
Brand	Hornady
Model	XTP
Caliber	9mm
Weight	124 gr
Bullet Diameter	.355
Bullet Type	Hollow Point
Jacket Material	Copper
Core Material	Lead
Ballistic Coefficient	.165
Sectional Density	.141
SKU	35571
UPC	090255200225
Rounds Per Box	100
Boxes Per Case	25
Primary Application	Defense / Hunting (Reloading Component)