What are some good loads and how do they work on deer sized game? Does velocity play much of a role in performance? For instance, will I notice a difference in terminal performance between 3500 and 3700 fps?

Perry

IIRC, the Barnes "X" design will open and penetrate at speeds below 2000 fps, so a starting speed difference of 200 fps shouldn't be a key factor in your decision making process.

I have shot a few whitetail does with the 60 grain Partition and 64 grain Winchester PowerPoint from a 22-250 with good results. These deer were shot from a raised stand at ranges from less than 100 yards out to around 350 yards. The only "problem" that I have had was with a 60 grain Partition was 1 that went through the deer that I was aiming at and wounded a doe standing on the off-side. That is the only deer that I've shot with the 60 grain Partition that required a 2nd shot.

Jeff

I shot a 140 lb 7 point buck with a 53 gr "standard" X out of a .225 Winchester a few years back. The shot was under 50 yards and the velocity was between 3500-3600 fps. The deer was moving at a fast trot and at the shot he bucked like a bronco and took off. I mentally cussed myself because I was leery of using a .22 but just had to try it. I waited 15 minutes and took up the trail. He went less than 30 yards and piled up. The bullet centered the on-side shoulder, took out a rib and exited the off-side leaving a respectable exit. When I gutted him, I was impressed with the internal destruction. He could have easily been blitzed with a .300 Magnum judging by the damage. That is my one and only .224" deer kill so far but I have nothing but praise for the .22 Barnes X based on that one deer. I just got hold of a .222 Rem. Mag. and I'm going to see how it performs with the 50 gr. X. I might just point it at a deer this season.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info. This project is for a good friends wife that will use this to shoot hogs, does, spikes and javelina. I dont like the idea of heart/lung shots with a 224 so I insisted he let me reload some X bullets.

Perry

Perry,
I have shot close to a dozen deer with the Barnes 53gr TSX the last couple of years up here in SD. My load is running at 3850fps, which after consulting a load manual may seem a little hot. But I am not seeing ANY pressure signs and case expansion measurement is not indicating high pressures either.

They worked great. Period. My shots have ranged from 40-350 yards and I have yet to recover a single bullet.

I only had one problem and subsequent follow up, but that was my fault. The bullet entered from the rear, broke a rear hip then deflected out through the belly.

Use them with confidence.

My load for my 22/250 and 53 gr TSX is 38 grains of H380, WW cases and CCI primers. Very accurate and very deadly on deer and antelope size game. Longest shot 400 yards on the nose on a buck antelope, lung shot catching some shoulder on the EXIT. Damage inside was devastating. I've used the same load but with the old Barnes X's before triple shocks and they too were astounding on many deer and antelope.
As to your question I think the above antelope story is your answer to "will I notice any difference in terminal performance between 3500 to 3700 fps" answer is no. If they will penetrate a broadside antelope and cause that much damage at 400 yards (when starting at about 3800 from the muzzle) a hog at 100 yards won't know the difference between 3300 fps and 3700 fps.
Good luck

Loaded up some rounds yesterday and was very pleased with the accuracy. Under moa in howling wing running right at 3600fps. Now to find a hog.

Perry

My question to everyone who is using this bullet is , what kind of 100 yd. groups are you getting ,and at what velocity ?
Tom

Hey Elk 32 I'm not sure what my velocity is but I'll repeat my above load and maybe you can estimate. 38 grains of H380, WW cases, CCI large rifle primers, 53 grain TSX. I shoot this in a medium heavy 25" barrel ( my estimate is about 3800 fps). My groups are not outstanding but they are fine for deer at about .75" for 5 shots sometimes a bit better sometimes at 1" or so but it seems to group at 1.5" consistantly at 200 yards.
Hope this is the info you are looking for.