The Apex of Handgun Ballistic Performance: Hornady 45220 XTP® MAG™ 240 gr .452 Caliber Bullets

For serious handgun enthusiasts, hunters, and those prioritizing personal defense, the choice of bullet is paramount. It's not just about projectile weight or caliber; it's about the meticulously engineered interaction between a bullet's design and its intended purpose. The Hornady 45220 XTP® MAG™ (eXtreme Terminal Performance) 240 grain, .452 caliber bullet stands as a testament to this philosophy, offering an unparalleled blend of accuracy, controlled expansion, and terminal performance specifically tailored for the demands of high-velocity, magnum handgun cartridges.

When users inquire about the best ammunition components for their powerful revolvers or semi-automatic pistols chambered in hard-hitting calibers, or how to achieve reliable energy transfer on game, the Hornady XTP® MAG™ frequently emerges as a top recommendation. This particular bullet, identified by its Hornady SKU 45220, is not merely a component; it’s a critical element in achieving peak performance and peace of mind, whether you’re facing a challenging hunting scenario, seeking reliable self-protection, or pursuing precision in competitive shooting.

Why Choose the Hornady XTP® MAG™ for Demanding Applications?

What sets the XTP® MAG™ apart from conventional handgun bullets, and even from Hornady’s standard XTP line? The answer lies in its specialized construction designed to excel under the extreme pressures and velocities characteristic of magnum handgun calibers. While standard XTP bullets are renowned for their consistent performance across a broad spectrum of handgun applications, the XTP® MAG™ is engineered to withstand the heightened impacts and velocities associated with cartridges like the .45 Colt in magnum loadings, or even custom .45 caliber wildcat cartridges designed for ultimate power. This distinction means shooters leveraging the full potential of their magnum handguns can expect the same legendary XTP performance without the risk of over-expansion or bullet fragmentation that might occur with less robust designs at elevated velocities.

Masterful Engineering: The Core of XTP® MAG™ Performance

• Precision Serrations for Controlled Expansion: The bullet features a series of precisely engineered serrations dividing its jacket into symmetrical sections. This innovative design strategically weakens the jacket, not to make it fragile, but to pre-program its expansion. Even at lower velocities, these serrations initiate controlled expansion, ensuring consistent and predictable terminal performance. This controlled expansion is crucial for maximizing energy transfer within the target, creating a devastating wound channel while minimizing the risk of over-penetration in self-defense scenarios. For hunters, it means humane and efficient kills.
• Robust Gilding Metal Jacket: The bullet’s gilding metal jacket serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it provides robust protection for the bullet's nose, preventing deformation during feeding in semi-automatic pistols and ensuring ballistic integrity upon impact. Secondly, this jacket material is meticulously crafted to be strong enough to withstand the immense forces generated by magnum handgun velocities, facilitating the controlled expansion process without premature bullet disintegration.
• Total Uniformity of Core Density: At the heart of every Hornady XTP® MAG™ bullet is a lead core with total uniformity of density. This meticulous attention to core consistency is fundamental to the bullet's in-flight stability and balanced expansion. An unbalanced core can lead to erratic flight paths and inconsistent terminal performance. Hornady’s commitment to core uniformity ensures that each 240-grain projectile flies true to its target and expands predictably, shot after shot. This is a critical factor for competitive shooters where every millimeter counts, and for hunters and defenders who depend on absolute reliability.

Applications Where the XTP® MAG™ Shines

1. Ethical Big Game Hunting

When pursuing medium to large game with a magnum handgun, the ethical hunter seeks a bullet that combines deep penetration with significant energy transfer. The 240-grain weight of this .452 caliber XTP® MAG™ bullet, coupled with its controlled expansion, ensures that it penetrates vital organs effectively, while the expanding frontal area maximizes tissue damage. Its robust construction means it can hold together even when encountering bone or tough hide, delivering reliable performance on game like deer, wild hogs, and even some larger North American animals, provided the shooter places the shot accurately. This bullet's ability to maintain structural integrity at high velocities prevents premature fragmentation, ensuring maximum energy is deposited within the target.

2. Uncompromising Self-Defense and Law Enforcement

For personal protection and law enforcement professionals, reliable stopping power is non-negotiable. The XTP® MAG™ bullet provides the kind of rapid, controlled expansion necessary to neutralize threats effectively while mitigating concerns about over-penetration in populated areas. Its consistent performance, even through common barriers, makes it a trusted choice. The "stopping power" of the XTP® bullet line, including the MAG variant, has earned a world-class reputation among those who depend on their ammunition for their lives. Its design ensures that energy is transferred efficiently to the target, creating immediate and significant incapacitation.

3. Precision in Competitive Shooting

While primarily designed for terminal performance, the inherent accuracy of the XTP® bullet design has led many competitive shooters to adopt it for target practice and even some handgun hunting competitions. The total uniformity of core density and the bullet's aerodynamic profile contribute to exceptional in-flight stability, translating into tighter groups on paper and greater confidence on the range. Shooters who meticulously handload their ammunition often gravitate towards components like the XTP® MAG™ for its consistent quality and predictable ballistic behavior, knowing that their efforts will be rewarded with precision.

Understanding the Ballistic Edge: Data Points for Performance

• Ballistic Coefficient (BC): .160: The ballistic coefficient is a measure of a bullet's ability to overcome air resistance. A higher BC indicates a more aerodynamically efficient bullet that retains velocity better over distance. While handguns are typically used at closer ranges, a respectable BC like .160 for a flat-nosed, expanding handgun bullet still contributes to flatter trajectories and less wind drift, especially at the extended ranges sometimes encountered in handgun hunting or long-range pistol target shooting.
• Sectional Density (SD): .168: Sectional density describes a bullet’s mass in relation to its diameter, indicating its ability to penetrate. A higher sectional density generally means better penetration for a given bullet weight and caliber. The .168 SD of the 240-grain .452 caliber XTP® MAG™ suggests excellent penetration capabilities, vital for reaching the vitals of game animals or ensuring adequate depth in defensive scenarios. This, combined with controlled expansion, makes for a highly effective projectile.
• Bullet Weight: 240 Grains: For the .452 caliber, 240 grains is a popular and effective heavy-for-caliber weight. This substantial mass contributes significantly to energy transfer upon impact. Heavier bullets typically carry more kinetic energy downrange and are less susceptible to deflection, ensuring that the bullet delivers its full potential to the target. For magnum handguns, this weight helps in generating considerable power without excessive recoil, striking a balance between effectiveness and shootability.

Hornady’s Legacy of Excellence and Trust

Hornady has built an enduring reputation for innovation, quality, and performance in the ammunition industry. Their commitment to meticulous engineering and rigorous testing ensures that every bullet leaving their facility meets the highest standards. The XTP® MAG™ bullet is a prime example of this dedication, offering shooters a component they can trust with their lives and their hunts. When choosing components for reloading, selecting a brand with a proven track record like Hornady provides peace of mind, knowing that the foundation of your ammunition is built on decades of expertise. Products like the Hornady 45220 are readily available through reputable firearm and ammunition retailers like DEGuns, ensuring that discerning shooters have access to these top-tier components for their reloading needs. The consistency of Hornady products simplifies the reloading process, allowing handloaders to achieve repeatable results and optimize their loads with confidence.

In summary, for those who demand the utmost from their magnum handguns, whether for hunting, personal defense, or precision shooting, the Hornady XTP® MAG™ 240 grain .452 caliber bullet offers a superior solution. Its advanced design, robust construction, and proven performance make it a world-class choice for any application requiring controlled expansion, deep penetration, and unerring accuracy.

Hornady XTP® MAG™ Bullet Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Series	MAG
Model	XTP
Caliber	.45 Cal
Bullet Type	XTP MAG
Weight	240 gr
Diameter	.452
Core Material	Lead
Jacket Material	Copper
Bullet Coating	Copper
Application	Defense / Hunting
Ballistic Coeff.	.160
Sectional Density	.168
SKU	45220
UPC	090255252200
Units per Box	100
Boxes per Case	15