Barnes Match Bullets weight is all over the place

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sasdigger

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Just picked up my very first box of Barnes Match .308 155GR bullets and I think it will be my last. I thought I would try them based on price as they sell for $30/per 100 cheaper then the Sierra Matchkings I usually load. Of this box of 100 only 12 are 155 gr. The rest weigh from 154.2 - 155.7. How can they call these match grade with a 1.5 grain spread in weight? I guess my lesson is learned.

I also got a box of Hornady A-Max 168GR and that box ranged from 167.8 to 168.2. Much better

Pete
 
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Something is very wrong here.

For one thing purchasing Barnes bullets for $30/100 is mostly unheard of unless they are factory rejects, which usually aren't allowed out of the facility.
 
I've shot lots of Match Burners in 6mm 112gr and 6.5mm 140gr, they're sub moa 5 shot groups. I don't weight sort, just shoot them into small clusters downrange

Buy a few 500ct bulk box and sort away if it makes you sleep good at night
 
I've had good luck with cheap bulk Hornady, Nosler, and even PRVI 168gr BTHP.
The only Burners I tried were 171gr 7mm and they were OK, but not quite as good as the 162gr ELD-M in my 7RM.
 
155 gr Barnes Match Burner bullets were the worst bullets I have ever fired out of my .305 target rifle. Would not hold the 5 ring at 300 yards. Maybe hold the 4 ring at 500 and 600, and would not hold the black at 800-1000 yards. IVI ammo shot better. Stick to the 155 Sierra's, or even try some 155 Nosler bullets.
 
Your post got me thinking so I went and weighed bullets out of a box of Barnes 155 gr BT Match Burners.

The average of ten bullets came to 154.8 gr on my scale with a tenth grain variation on each side of that at most.

Checked out 6,5x140gr BT MBs and found the average over 10 rounds to be 140.5 +- .010 grains.

OP, looks like you have a bad batch of bullets.

It happens, even with the best manufacturers.
 
The original post said the bullet weight ranged from 144.2 to 155.7. Can I assume he meant 154.2 to 155.7? The performance described in post #7 certainly raises some questions but, if the rifle is a .305, maybe the bullets just won't tolerate such a tight bore. I have a pretty good supply of Lapua bullets so I won't be testing Barnes anytime soon.
 
I have had really good luck with Barnes MB .224 69gr.

As to .264, the 140gr BMB in my 6.5Creed work ok. Around 1MOA or slightly better at up to 500m. Reasonable for the price.

My .308 hates the BMB 155gr. It pretty much hates any 155gr bullet but it really hates the BMB for whatever reason. A shotgun with 000 buck would pattern better. I don't know what you shoot, but I have a REM700 5r. When seated sufficiently to hold the 155gr bullet (any make), the bullet needs binoculars to see the lands. It is a leap of faith from seated to starting to get engraved into the rifling. Stick with longer heavier bullets for increased accuracy. Mine really likes 175gr or heavier BTHP. 0.5MOA or better with them.
 
Leeper said:
The original post said the bullet weight ranged from 144.2 to 155.7. Can I assume he meant 154.2 to 155.7? The performance described in post #7 certainly raises some questions but, if the rifle is a .305, maybe the bullets just won't tolerate such a tight bore. I have a pretty good supply of Lapua bullets so I won't be testing Barnes anytime soon.
Click to expand...

Yeah sorry that was a typo. 154.2 to 155.7
 
Leeper said:
The original post said the bullet weight ranged from 144.2 to 155.7. Can I assume he meant 154.2 to 155.7? The performance described in post #7 certainly raises some questions but, if the rifle is a .305, maybe the bullets just won't tolerate such a tight bore. I have a pretty good supply of Lapua bullets so I won't be testing Barnes anytime soon.
Click to expand...

I have loaded and shot 300 rounds with Sierra Match King BT 175gr and 100 Hornady A-Max BT 168gr without a problem. I am yet the shoot these Barnes bullets. It was just the 1.5 grain spread in weight that concerns me.
My rifle is a .308 rifle. Lithgow Arms LA102 .308 http://www.lithgowarms.com/la-102-crossover/
 
I had a problem once like you. I found dust had gotten onto and into the pivot points on my RCBS scale. At first I thought the scale was worne out. excellent reputation so tried cleaning. Worked a little better? Got serious with solvent and q-tip at pivots and like magic alls well. Still same scale and 28 more years later still works great (when cleaned after storage).
 
OP, IMHO Barnes Matchburner bullets are not my go to accuracy bullet, simply because I only have one rifle that likes them. They are, again IMHO, terrible for fouling.

I prefer the Sierra/Lapua/Berger offerings.
 
Well I am surprised as I actually got very nice groups of 6 at 100 yards. I was testing different powder loads and I know I could improve. Best group of 6 was 0.694" of an inch. I did sort the bullets to keep them consistent in this test

https://ibb.co/T2QPX94
 
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