my first post here....



I recently read an article that the Barnes X-Bullet is one of the preferred pig hunting bullets because it holds together for deep penetration, and for it's ability to power through bones and "everything" to make the killing shot. I'm using the 180-grain bullets, 2,700 ft/sec muzzle velocity.



Then yesterday I was doing some 'net surfing and read about Lapua Naturalis ammunition and their all-copper bullet, 180-grain, same muzzle velocity.



At first glance, it would seem the two bullets are quite similar.



I'd sure welcome the thoughts and opinions about these two bullets.



Thanks Much,



Carl

I can't comment on Lapua bullets but I can make a comment on Barnes bullets. If you want penetration, you can't beat them. If you want them to deposit energy or expand(on pig sized game) look somewhere else. The pretty pictures they post on the box of the 4 blades opening up rarely(if ever) happens. Most recoverd barnes bullets I have seen only slightly open in the front unless shot at very high velocity for weight ranges.(See the pictures of recovered Barnes bullets on this site). They do hold together though, and usually always(with the exception of hitting a brick wall) have around 90-100% weigh retention. You would most likely get complete penetration on any size pig with a barnes bullet shot at just about any angle. Assuming we are talking about average weight bullets(not 243) moving at decent velocities. Welcome to AR.

The above comments on the Barnes X are correct- except for one point. With the incredible penetration comes complete reliable expansion. Just look inside something that you shoot with an X bullet. It is the only bullet type I load for hunting in everything from 223 to 470 NE, and I have never once had performance that I was disappointed in.

Well, we'll just have to agree to disagree on that. There are pictures of barnes bullets on this site that show different. The do expand to an extent, but from what I have seen it is VERY little. I have seen several animals shot with XLC's, and the exit hole is usually the same as the entrance. The couple I have recovered had very little expansion. Just enough to deform the nose a tad but not much else. You'll never get partition type expansion out of an x bullet, but then again you will get better penatration because it will hang onto all it weight(also because it doesn't expand JMO

The Lapula bullets are more accurate and less fouling.I have had awesome luck with the 155 gr lapula mega tip bullets.They shoot 3/8" groups at 200 yards out of my 264 win mag loaded with H-870 powder.I had friends shoot barnes x bullets out of 4166s and they switched to woodleigh bullets for better penetration.

I have read glowing reports on the accuracy of the triple shock bullets. Many people on this forum say it's the most accurate bullet they have ever shot out of the rifles in question. They sure don't look like they would be very accurate pulling them out of the box though. My buddy has a a-bolt in .300 mag that shot a .6 group @ 100 with them. The best group other than that was about an inch and a half. Probably only fired about 100 rounds through it though.