30-06, 180 gr. Barnes XLC

08 June 2002, 01:50

LE270

I found a load using the Barnes 180 gr. XLC bullet that worked well in a 30-06 Browning Safari, with a Mauser action and 22 in. barrel. In the past, this rifle has been disappointing in terms of accuracy. The only load that worked well was 150 gr. bullets with 53 gr. of IMR 4064 powder. Just as a pure trial, I decided to try the 180 gr. Barnes bullet in it. Here's the load:

180 gr. Barnes XLC (that's the coated spitzer)
58.5 gr. of Hodgdon 4350
Winchester case
CCI 200 primer
Loaded to an overall length of 3.25 inches
Bullet crimped with Lee Factory Crimp Die

This is a hot load, but not overly so, at least in this rifle.

I shot three 3-shot groups with this load, all at 100 yards, over the chronograph.

First group: 0.63 inches
Second group: 1.68 inches
Third group: 2 shots 0.54, third shot enlarges group to 2.10

Velocities were consistent, from 2836 to 2860 feet per second. This is quite good velocity for a 180 gr bullet from a 22 inch 30-06 barrel.

The first group was shot out of a clean barrel. The gun wasn't cleaned between that and shooting the subsequent groups. This gun seems to like being clean -- it usually produces a better group with the first shots out of a clean barrel than it does with subsequent groups.

This load would be an excellent one for anything in the world short of elephant, cape buffalo, rhino, lion, perhaps the largest bears, and maybe the largest eland. [Smile]

(Added on 6/22/02)
I got to shoot this load again yesterday in the same rifle -- 2 different 3-shot groups at 100 yards. The first had two shots touching and the third shot enlarged the group to 1.95 inches. The second 3-shot group measured 1.43 inches.

This is definitely not a target rifle, but this is more than good enough for big game hunting out to at least 250 yards.

[ 06-22-2002, 19:39: Message edited by: LE270 ]

08 June 2002, 05:37

redial

Great info Lloyd, thanks! Your 150 data matches my best results as well.

BTW, where are you shooting? I was a member or officer of most of the area clubs at one time, but it seems most have closed. Just curious.

08 June 2002, 07:16

LE270

quote:
Originally posted by redial:
BTW, where are you shooting? I was a member or officer of most of the area clubs at one time, but it seems most have closed. Just curious.

I'm a member of the Chesapeake Rifle and Pistol Club, one of the associated gun clubs of Baltimore MD-Washington DC. These clubs have a range at Marriottsville -- it's about 5 miles north of Interstate 70, about 20 miles west of Baltimore, on Marriottsville Road. This range has 100 and 200 yard rifle ranges, a pistol range, and a trapshooting range. I've used only the rifle ranges.

When I want to shoot shotgun -- which I do very often -- I go to the Prince George's County Trap and Skeet range, which is off Good Luck Road in Greenbelt, MD. This place has skeet, trap, and sporting clays, and also sells supplies and equipment for shotshell reloading, loaded shells, and Beretta guns. It's part of the Prince George's County Parks Department.

[ 06-22-2002, 19:40: Message edited by: LE270 ]

14 June 2002, 09:49

NoCAL

Lloyd,
That is a good looking load. I can't quite reach 2800 fps with a 165 gr Sierra and 59 grains H4350. I also have a 22" barrel. I wonder if it is because of the XLC coating on that Barnes? I think a non-coated bullet would max out at a slightly lower load. What do you think?

NoCAL

14 June 2002, 12:28

LE270

quote:
Originally posted by NoCAL:
That is a good looking load. I can't quite reach 2800 fps with a 165 gr Sierra and 59 grains H4350. I also have a 22" barrel. I wonder if it is because of the XLC coating on that Barnes? I think a non-coated bullet would max out at a slightly lower load. What do you think?
NoCAL

I don't have enough experience shooting coated bullets to know, and I haven't chronographed a 180 grain non-coated bullet (all else the same) in this rifle, so I can't say with any assurance. Seems like a good theory though. [Smile]

I should add, however, that I did shoot some of the Barnes 180 gr. XLC bullets in my 300 Weatherby, using the same load I use for other 180 gr bullets, such as Sierra, Nosler, or Hornady -- 86 gr. of IMR 7828, Remington case, Federal 215 primer, loaded to an overall length of 3.66 inches. I got the same velocity with the coated Barnes bullet as I get with the 180 Sierras -- about 3240 to 3260 f.p.s. (With this load and 180 gr. Hornadies I get over 3300, but that load is really a bit too hot, as I get a lot of primer flattening from it.) This would, I think, tend to refute your theory that, because of its coating, the Barnes is inherently speedier than an uncoated bullet with the same load. [Smile]

[ 06-14-2002, 07:07: Message edited by: LE270 ]

15 June 2002, 10:03

Eremicus

I think you can do better with the 168 gr., not the 165 gr. XLC, or the 180 gr. XLC. I know it has worked for me.
The reason is that the bullet is made with a tangent ogive, not a secant ogive like their other bullets. Barnes claims this makes this bullet accurate in a wider range of barrels and powders. It does reduce the BC a little, however. I seem to have discovered they have a valid claim.
Out of my M70 Fwt., SS, the bullet has shot two different powders into 1.3 inches, and one into both 1.4, and .8 inches. Only one powder did not shoot at least one load under 1.5 inches. BTW, this has not been a particularly accurate rifle with a couple of premium factory loads.
Even my Pac-Nor Super Match SS barreled .25-284 hasn't done better than this.
I went through several powders with the 100 gr. XLC. Only one shot that bullet into 1.0 inches, and none of the others shot much under 2.0 inches. E