Originally Posted By: buck91
Just curious, the benefits of the Hornady FTX as found in their "Critical Defense" loads are pretty obvious but why might somebody opt for or prefer the more basic hollow point design of the XTP?
The FTX bullet (AKA critical defense) should be flat out avoided. The stuff is garbage, and it is quite amazing that Hornady has sold so much of it to unsuspecting consumers. I would take an XTP bullet over the FTX any day, and twice on Sunday. You see, the FTX doesn't penetrate while the XTP does. The three most important things in ballistics, in order, are shot placement, then penetration, followed by expansion. The FTX's low weight and rapid expansion reduces penetration to less than FBI 12" minimums.