Please Lord, deliver me from copper bullets. I got caught up in the internet hype of the CEBs when they were something new and used them culling water buffalo. Junk. Even the Barnes was a better choice all round, and luckily I already knew that A-frames were a real bullet.
Thoughts on the following cartridges? 300PRC, 338WM, 35 Whelen, 416 Rigby, 458 Win
- Thread starter Northern Shooter
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This. If you don’t have a 300 already, buy the 300PRC. Performance wise, it is just a factory version of a custom 300WM chambered rifle with a longer magazine and throat. It saves aftermarket work on a 300WM.
45 caliber higher bc 0.389 Barnes 400gr SSP loading these in my .45-70 loaded in my .458 Lott say @ 2500 fps mv more energy out to 425 yds than my .338 WM 265gr AB LR.
https://www.barnesbullets.com/produ...emi-spitzer-fb&attribute_pa_rounds-per-box=50
https://www.barnesbullets.com/produ...emi-spitzer-fb&attribute_pa_rounds-per-box=50
You would think that if they were trash Barnes wouldn't have been making them since 1985. I have been using them almost exclusively for the last 20 years with complete success.
People can have opinions on what they want or expect from a bullet but to call them complete trash is moronic.
I can only comment on the 35Whelen as I have not owned or carried the others. I had a Rem700 CDL a few years back that I kick myself for selling. I built a new 35 recently on a Rem700 with a KS Arms 22" barrel, a McMillan Edge, and a Swarovski 3-10X42. With the BRH reticle I can reach out to 500 metres. It is a pleasure to carry, is amazingly accurate, has low recoil, and sure carries a big thump. I was shooting Remington 200grain Corelokts. The bullets put game down fast but surprisingly caused minimal damage to the edible parts. I remember African PHs and Guides talking about the 375H&H and being able to trim to the bullet hole and the 35 performed in the same manner. As much as I love my Sako 270Win, 270WSM, and 7RM, this 35 is my new favourite rifle.
I fired a 458Win but not very well. Too much recoil for me to control.
I fired a 458Win but not very well. Too much recoil for me to control.
Trash? No, they kill stuff... but I have experienced and witnessed a higher than normal number of failures and poor terminal performance on deer, bear moose and others. I would rather a standard cup & core of pretty.much any make over Barnes... and I am not saying this to kick your puppy. I know many CGNers use and promote them, but given my experience, I do not recommend Barnes coppers... I did have some decent personal success with the Hornady GMX, but even there came to the conclusion that in most cases I prefer C&C or bonded lead. JMO, not looking for a war.
And that's fine. I've had great results on mulies, moose and bear with Barnes TSX, TTSX and LRX out of .260 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 WSM, .35 Whelen and .375 Ruger. I prefer them over C&C or bonded bullet. We can have difference of opinion.
Someone calling something (whether its bullets, cartridges, rifles or trucks) that's been around for decades and sold in millions "complete trash" is still stupid.
BigUglyMan
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45 caliber higher bc 0.389 Barnes 400gr SSP loading these in my .45-70 loaded in my .458 Lott say @ 2500 fps mv more energy out to 425 yds than my .338 WM 265gr AB LR.
https://www.barnesbullets.com/produ...emi-spitzer-fb&attribute_pa_rounds-per-box=50
Are you trying to say that the 400gr Barnes out of a 458 Lott makes a better LR projectile than a 265 LRAB out of a 338 Winchester? The energy overlaps at 275 yards where the 458 is already 5" farther off track than the 338. And at 500 yards? Forget it. The 458 is 25" lower and 17" further off due to wind.
You need a better ballistic calculator. Or maybe a GPS because you're so far out in left field that you'll never get home.
I did a 600 live animal test comparing barnes to other lead containing bullets using a couple 30-06s. It took me 3 weeks, but 3 hours would have been enough. Barnes came in with such a hard lock on last place that it wasn't even funny. Something that sucks so much should have a hose, bag and a retractable cord.
Is that still an opinion, or is that a conclusion?
Is that still an opinion, or is that a conclusion?
I did a 600 live animal test comparing barnes to other lead containing bullets using a couple 30-06s. It took me 3 weeks, but 3 hours would have been enough. Barnes came in with such a hard lock on last place that it wasn't even funny. Something that sucks so much should have a hose, bag and a retractable cord.
Is that still an opinion, or is that a conclusion?
I went at it softer to spare feelings and avoid the inevitable backlash... but I concur.
Ok only ever used them in .338 and larger other than a few 160s outa an STW. Only about a dozen animals, always excellent performance. Curious as to what kinds of failures you guys have had. Again, not arguing just surprised your experience is so different from mine.
For me it isn't so much failures, as I don't like what they do when they work. They are slow killers. They make a small wound channel, which is the reason why they can make such a deep one. There is little to no shocking effect, animals often don't even look like they are hit. I can't hear them hit. Runners are the norm unless major bone or CNS is hit.
I've used them in 257 Weatherby, 7 STW, 30-06, 300 Mag, 338 Win, 375 H&H, 416 Rigby, and 458 Win. Probably some others that can't remember ATM.
Bullets don't kill; its the holes they make that do. I guess you could say that I don't like them because they make too much of the wrong kind of hole.
I've used them in 257 Weatherby, 7 STW, 30-06, 300 Mag, 338 Win, 375 H&H, 416 Rigby, and 458 Win. Probably some others that can't remember ATM.
Bullets don't kill; its the holes they make that do. I guess you could say that I don't like them because they make too much of the wrong kind of hole.
My experience is similar, light reaction to hits, longer recovery trails with less blood, lungs largely intact after a center lung pass through, minimal tissue damage, unless large bone is struck... just not great terminal damage... those margins eventually equate to more lost game. When clients ask about what gear to bring for hunts my two go to bits of advice are; for archers, "no expandable broadheads," and for rifle hunters, "no copper solids."
No animal hit properly with a Barnes bullet is going to live. Or any hunting bullet for that matter. But when you need to drive it through hips or guts to get it to where it needs to be, a Barnes is a great choice. Probably the best.
The fact that it is the "best" in those circumstances also makes it the "worst" in the normally desired circumstances, ie. Broadside lungs... which has definitely been my experience. Again, not looking to kick anyone's puppy, simply sharing my experience, which is larger than most, but pales compared to Dogleg's.
