Hello All,

I've seen a lot of things posted here about Barnes bullets, particularly about Barnes' velocity claims for their XLC coated bullets. I use the "Blue Meanies" extensively in many calibers, so I thought I would list some of my actual results and compare them to Barnes #3 so that people can draw their own conclusions about Barnes' velocity claims. I am listing my MAXIMUM SAFE load (all loads have been fired at least 8 times in the same case without excessive primer pocket expansion), and also the MAXIMUM Barnes load for the same powder I use. Where Barnes doesn't list a load using my powder of choice, I list their load with the closest burning rate powder. All Barnes data was acquired using 24" test barrels, except for the .264 Win Mag, in which they used a 26" barrel.

.220 Swift, 50 gr VLC
Mine: 42gr Re15, 4094 fps, 26" bbl
Barnes: 41.5gr Re15, 4004 fps

.243 Winchester, 85 gr XLC
Mine: *47.5gr H414, 3371 fps, 22" bbl
Barnes: 46gr H414, 3410 fps

* For some reason, this particular rifle always requires about 1.5-2 grains more than most listed loading data for any brand bullet to achieve equal velocities. Don't worry, pressures are quite safe.

.25-06 Remington, 100 gr XLC
Mine: 57gr N160, 3402 fps, 24" bbl
Barnes: 57gr Re19, 3389 fps

.260 Remington, 120 gr XLC
Mine: 46.8gr N160, 2934 fps, 22" bbl
Barnes: 46gr I4350, 2949 fps

.264 Win Mag, 140 gr XLC
Mine: 66gr Re22, 3202 fps (whew!), 26" bbl
Barnes: 67.5gr Re22, 3103 fps

.270 Winchester, 130 gr XLC
Mine: 59.7gr H4831, 3140 fps, 24" bbl
Barnes: 61gr H4831, 3175 fps

7mm Rem Magnum, 140 gr XLC
Mine: 71.7gr Re22, 3308 fps, 24" bbl
Barnes: 72gr Re22, 3296 fps

.308 Winchester, 150 gr XLC
Mine: 48gr Re15, 2921 fps, 22"bbl
Barnes: 47gr Re15, 2993 fps

.338 Win Mag, 210 gr XLC
Mine: 82gr H4831, 2934 fps, 24" bbl
Barnes: 80gr I4831, 2997 fps

Norm-- What primer did you use in the 264 Win Mag load and what rifle did you use. I have not gotten close to those velocities with other bullets so am wondering if this may work out. Mine is a M70 Supergrade 26"bbl

BR

BR,

Rifle is a Pre-64 Mod 70 Westerner. This rifle has a Krieger barrel on it, and my gunsmith put a longer than normal throat on it for me. Primers used are Rem 9 1/2M, WW Super brass.

When I bought this rifle, the fellow who sold it to me told me it was "shot out". After a LOT of cleaning (I must have removed about a pound of copper from the barrel), I examined the throat, and it was pretty badly burnt. Accuracy wasn't too bad for a couple hundred shots, but then really started to drop off. Much as I hated to do it, I rebarrelled it, and it's been a tack-driving hot rod ever since.

The 140 grain XLCs are very long bullets, and will not stabilize in my .260 Rem, which has a 1:9" twist. This barrel has a 1:8" twist, and accuracy is excellent.

About the 6.5mm 140 gr. XLC in the 260 Rem. I have a M700 1-9" twist, and recently bought a box of 140's. What velocity, powder charge, and barrel length did you use? I was thinking of trying RL19 or RL22 in my 22" barrel. Hoping to get 2700 fps.

Tod,

My rifle is a Ruger Mod77 MK II with a 22" bbl. Using the tight patch on the jag and measuring the twisting of the cleaning rod method, I have measured the twist rate myself at around 1:9 1/8". I was using Vihta-Vouri N160 (just a tad slower than Re 19), and maxed out at 45.0 grains, 2718 fps. This load was a bit "warm" (unsafe, ejector slot mark), and still the bullets wouldn't fully stabilize.

I was right on the very edge of stabilizing them I believe, because about half of the bullets made round holes in the target at 100 yards, and about half showed slight keyholing. Accuracy of course was terrible (3+" groups). I really wanted to use these bullets in this rifle, but I ended up sending the remaining 30 or so left in the box to Barnes, and they sent me a full box of 120 XLCs to try. Those have been excellent.

140 grain Speer Grand Slams and Remington Cor-Lokts stabilize and shoot fine in this rifle, with 44.0 gr N160 moving them out at around 2650-2680 fps. The Barnes 140s are just a bit too long.

Barnes, coat your 6.5mm 130s, and I'll buy 'em!

Thanks Norm,

I guess I will try em and see. Maybe Barnes will send me some 120's if these don't work!