Tell me about the tallons, why they stopped production etc. I still have about 100 or so in .45 and another 75ish in .44. I loved them for hunting ammo and recieved several boxes for free from Winchester when they first came out about 15yrs ago. Wish I could get more. I have heard several reasons why they were pulled but many seemed sespect. Any input?
Black Tallons
- Thread starter zeisloft
- Start date
threefivesevenmag
New member
They still make them. They are now dubbed "Winchester SXT." It's the same type of platform without the black coating on the bullet. I have read that they actually perform much better than black talons. Bullet technology is always changing and they just upgraded to the SXT and got rid of the media slayed talons.
http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs2.htm 
Scroll down a bit on that page and there's a section explaining the ballistics of the black talon. Following that, there's a bit of info on why they were denounced by the media, etc.
Scroll down a bit on that page and there's a section explaining the ballistics of the black talon. Following that, there's a bit of info on why they were denounced by the media, etc.
Actually they are not the same, although very close. When the SXT expands they do not have the Talons. They are rounded off and look more like a flower petal if they expand properly. Black Talons are now a LE only product under a different name although I have seen them on a local dealers shelf. The group responsible for their being pulled from the market was the American Medical Association, doctors complained of too many serious puncture wounds in their fingers while doing a finger probe looking for the bullet in shooting victims.
The American Medical Association stated that doctors were worried about the "possibility" of punctured gloves. No examples were reported.
Usual liberal BS. The Black Talon wasn't a particularly effective round. The cutting phenomena was never proven to enhance it's efficiency. Ongoing research on bullet design rapidly overshadowed the cutting aspects. The Ranger SXT LEO round currently uses enhanced Black Talon technology.
Funny thing, though. The Starfire Hollowpoint was first shown in Peterson's Handguns as a full page picture. It showed the bullet as it penetrated ballistic gelatin, sending strands of cut gelatin out of the entrance! I guess that PMC, because they didn't advertise the "buzz saw" effect, escaped public scrutiny by the various "experts" that the simpleton anti-gun groups trotted out?
If you think that the Black Talon affair was funny, then check out the hilarious shenanigans from the politically-infected groups over the fabled "Rhino Ammo".
Usual liberal BS. The Black Talon wasn't a particularly effective round. The cutting phenomena was never proven to enhance it's efficiency. Ongoing research on bullet design rapidly overshadowed the cutting aspects. The Ranger SXT LEO round currently uses enhanced Black Talon technology.
Funny thing, though. The Starfire Hollowpoint was first shown in Peterson's Handguns as a full page picture. It showed the bullet as it penetrated ballistic gelatin, sending strands of cut gelatin out of the entrance! I guess that PMC, because they didn't advertise the "buzz saw" effect, escaped public scrutiny by the various "experts" that the simpleton anti-gun groups trotted out?
If you think that the Black Talon affair was funny, then check out the hilarious shenanigans from the politically-infected groups over the fabled "Rhino Ammo".
In the oct 2005 issue of GUNS and WEAPONS for law enforcement they have a article on the ranger SXT it looks from the picture to be the same as the black talons they seem to have the same sharp points as the black talons. A friend and i shot black talons into 1 gal water bags stacked end to end to see how far they would penetrate and what they looked like expanded they looked awesome but didnt travel as far as the hornaday +p did though
TheeBadOne
Moderator
iirc Black Talon performance varied greatly between calibers. I think it may have been the 9mm load that didn't expand well (much).
TBO
TBO
Ranger SXT (not the same as regular SXT) are the only ones with the "Talons", and they say "Law Enforcement Ammunition" on the box. Ive got some sitting right here. They are NOT the same as Black Talon, they are much better. BT's did not expand very well through heavy clothing and denim, while these do. Same basic concept, they just perform better. Honestly, If I were LE, I would use a bonded bullet instead (Ranger SXT is not bonded), because of the increased potential for shooting through barriers like glass. The Rangers tend to have core/jacket separations through glass.
Winchester sells a Ranger Bonded bullet now, that basically has 6 petals like a Gold Dot once expanded. Because of the way the Ranger SXT Talon is designed, they cant be bonded. Otherwise, the "Talons" wouldnt separate from the lead and curve outward. If you can find some at a gun show or online at a good price, go for it. But Gold Dot is more available, performs about the same in gel, and works better through barriers.
Winchester sells a Ranger Bonded bullet now, that basically has 6 petals like a Gold Dot once expanded. Because of the way the Ranger SXT Talon is designed, they cant be bonded. Otherwise, the "Talons" wouldnt separate from the lead and curve outward. If you can find some at a gun show or online at a good price, go for it. But Gold Dot is more available, performs about the same in gel, and works better through barriers.
DonR101395
New member
Try ammolab.com if you want some good info on ammo performance.
Tripplethreat
New member
Uhh,never mind.Sorry 'bout that.
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