HI,

I posted this question on big bores. I would like to know if Barns X, in particular the 350 grain 416 are good or not?. I have seen a lot of posts that say they are good and others say they are not. I would like to know if they are good for cape buffalo and big bear or not. I also would like to know If I were to spend my money on Barns X or GS Custom HV which ones would be better?. Which one penetrates better on large game?.The HV have not been talk about in any dealtail do they work on big game or not? Thanks,Kev

Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. You'll have to decide if the risk is worth it.

HI,

So is the HV the better bullet?. Thanks,Kev

I would use the X bullet myself. I assume you reffering to the GS HV bullet for comparison. I find nobody is badmouthing the GS bullet line but when I checked out their web page I noticed they feel it's perfectly O.K. for the petals to peel off upon impact because the bullet will still penetrate far. That's funny because if an X bullet does that to one guy there are 10 posts about it the next day, talking about how it failed. I do like the ribbed idea that GS uses on their bullets better than the straight Barns. A lot of people say the falt of the X is that it wont expand enough to cause shock, or that because it exited it must not have done its job. The last bear I shot with an X left a large wound channel all the way through him. the hole through his spine ws about 1 1/4" and the tops of the lungs were mush.

I've shot 2 Buffs with my 416 Rem using 350 X. They both died quickly. The PH and Trackers were both very impressed with the performance of both the rifle and the bullets. If a rifle will shoot X bullets, I don't think you can find a better bullet for large game. I have used A-Frames, TBBC, Partitions, etc. on large game and have preferred X's.

Kev - have not been to Africa, can't say anything first hand about animals there - as far as bears, have used the Swift A-Frame and Kodiak bullets with good success - both have good weight retention and penetrate well; the Kodiak in 350 grain and H4831 at approx. 2500 is a moose masher to say the least - suggest you try different brands / weights as well as powders / charge weights when you get your 416 - KMule

If you are talking about thick skinned dangerous game, I would use a solid to be sure to get good penetration. Penetration uber alles.

For plains game or grizz, I would go with a regular bullet like an A-Frame or a Woodleigh. I have not used HV's so I have no knowledge of them, but I am not a fan of X.

HI,

It seems more so than any other bullet out there the Barns X is either like or not.I hear great things about the X bullet from people who use it and swear about them, how good they are, and others say it is hype, and have bad experiences with them. I guess I will have to find out myself, but I really like the concept of the GS Custom HVs, they have a high BC and weight is good and can be loaded to high fps.Now if they work well that is even better?, I do not know to much about them, I have looked at there web site. Thanks,Kev

Kev

I used the Barnes X bullets with my 375 H&H which as you know is minimum caliber for Cape Buffalo.

On our trip to the Sealous in Tanzania, me and my son-in-law took a total of 4 Capes with essentially one shot kills. Barnes are good bullets as others are also. But, remember it is where you place that first shot that counts.

Kev, the GS FN's also have a ribbed design. I have found that they generate lower pressures than Woodleighs so they can be loaded up a lot if you want.

What game are you intending to use the bullet for? I think that will bear a lot on the answer to which bullet would be better.

HI,

500 GRAINS, mostly it will be bears and that is why I mention the GS Custom HV, which open up more than there FNs design, which is strickly a penetrating bullet. Do you have any experience with the HVs, what do you think about them, are they better for that use say than a barns X. I am sure I will try both in my 416 Rigby. Thanks,Kev

Kev,
I have shot the 500 grain GSC HV in 470 NE, and 265 grain HV in 375 H&H, and even some 850 grain 50 BMG HV prototypes, but only at paper so far.

I have used the 380 grain .416 FN on cape buffalo, and it is superb. The most accurate and tough straight line penetrator conceivable to me.

I have had great results with the Barnes X-Bullet in 350 grain .416 caliber. It immobilized a one ton water buffalo with one shot, and then broke its neck for a finisher, from a Ruger 416 Rigby Number One. That same gun and bullet knocked a fallow deer down at 342 yards.

The .416/350grain X-Bullets did not exit the water buffalo, but they sure blew right through the deer.

A 400 grain X might be better on the big bovids, but the 350's will do the job.

The 350 grain X-Bullet would be a superb single bullet for all of Alaska in the 416 Rigby of yours, at 2700 fps, IMHO.

I think the 330 grain HV would be a great bullet too, and more likely to be extremely accurate in your rifle. I am getting some of them next. I was just so happy with the 350 grain X bullets that I haven't gotten around to them yet.

Right now I have more of the .416/380 grain FN's on order, along with some .375/300 grain HV's and FN's, two of the newest additions to the GSC line: for the 375 RUM and 378 Weatherby.

Then there are the 335 and 370 grain North Fork bulletas in .416. Great results from others have been reported.

Just my 2 pennies.

[ 01-07-2003, 10:52: Message edited by: DaggaRon ]

Kev, I have not used HV's so I have not comment to make. Good luck.

HI,

DAGGARON,thanks for the information of the bullets I mention that is what I was looking for, I just wonder a little bit about Barns X bullets as I see so much controversy over them. I like there high BC and there wide selection of weight in different calibers. Thank,Kev

I think both of them will work fine choose the one you like most