In theory a fellow that wants his rifle to shoot fast and flat without using overloads should be able to do so by switching to B

[Del in KS]

In theory a fellow that wants his rifle to shoot fast and flat without using overloads should be able to do so by switching to Barnes Triple X bullets. You can go to the next weight down because they penetrate exceptionally well (like a heavier bullet). You can then safely use more powder and get higher velocity. The high BC will retain that velocity well resulting in a "beanfield" worthy trajectory. This is why I shoot Barnes 100 grainers in my 25-06. Happy, Big O, Jim, reloading guru, and friends what say you?

[Big O]

"Grasshopper" asks can I get them in 165gr.,180gr. .308's.
I as usual bow to your wealth of knowledge "Master"
(LOL). Thanks for the heads up Del, I 'm off to the store now to try to find some.

[idduckhntr]

Del because of the rate of twist and amount of free bore in my picky Weatherby I cant drop in bullet weights, however I have shot the 160, and 175 barnes with great results but because of cost I still load 175 Partions. I do have some old Barnes X bullets that impressed the hell out of me on the range this year hope to give them a try on something that will fill my freezer.

[Jim in Mo]

Del, I read an article several months ago by Greg Rodriguez when he came back from an African hunt. He agreed with this theory wholeheartedly. BTW, he was using an '06 and he thought the Barnes didn't expand enough using the 180. He liked the results from the 165. Oh, he was testing the new Barnes MRX (basically the triple x with a flex tip). This theory may be true for the Barnes on big game, but for other bullets I'm not sure, other than the A-Frame which I would love to try.

[bonnier-admin_2]

In theory a fellow that wants his rifle to shoot fast and flat without using overloads should be able to do so by switching to Barnes Triple X bullets?

WHAT IN THE HELL YOU BEEN SMOKING SON!

I CAN SHOOT THE SAME WEIGHT HORNADY FASTER AND FLATTER THAN A BARNES ANY DAY!

[bonnier-admin_2]

YOU CANNOT PUSH A BARNES LIKE YOU CAN A JACKETED BULLET BECAUSE A BARNES IS A SOLID COPPER BULLET!

[idduckhntr]

Clay your right about the presures in a barnes but that is why they cut the grooves in the bullet but the velocity that you lose is minamal in my 7mmwby Im only loosing about 75fps and I can tell you that what I am shootin at wont know the differance.

[idduckhntr]

Oh and Clay every bullet has its limit you can push them only so fast before they blow up,and yes Hornady will blow up to.

[Jim in Mo]

I'm going to push the envelope here but, I think you can push a Barnes as fast as any other bullet but maybe not as accurately because of the lack of lead in the bullet.

[bonnier-admin_2]

idduckhntr

What I've seen, the answer is no way!

But your right about the 75fps unles your shooting a bow!

[bonnier-admin_2]

idduckhntr

The only Hornady I ever blew up was 100 Grain half jacket in a 300 Win Mag!

YOW!

[idduckhntr]

Clay I have pushed Nosler Partions so fast that they came apart, and I know they are a better rifle bullet than Hornady, if you want to shoot 130s than get a 270. the only horady bullet I shoot is out of my 45 colt. And here is the differance in Partions and Barnes out of my 7mmWBY with a Partion it is 2988fps with a Barnes its 2921.

[ishawooa]

I shoot and like Hornadys especially the SSTs and A-Maxs with high BC. Also I use a lot of Berger VLDs plus some Partitions and Sierra Gamekings. I can't swear that any ever blew up but I have wondered about some of the Hornadys and Sierras for various reasons. In my big 7 mm I use 168 VLD which holds up very well out to 1000 yards due to excellent construction, SD, and BC beginning in the neighborhood of 3400 fps. Accuracy is exceptional. With various calibers using Barnes I always back off a bit on the powder for the same reasons that Del stated, a factor that we have all known for decades as well as the need for the grooves. Those solid copper bullets drop em right now. Almost always shoots plum through the critter, in fact I don't remember this ever not happening. If a lead ban comes about we may all be shooting copper exclusively or perhaps an alloy. I tend to stick with various 117 gr at about 3100 in my .25-'06 due to a little better BC plus the added weight might give me more penetration without sacrificing trajectory. I tend to use 225 or 250 XXX or Partitions in the .338. Trajectory with the .338 is amazingly close to a .300 Win Mag but perceived KO is noticeably enhanced. Yep you can push those Barnes as fast as you want as long as you watch pressure signs like any other bullet and load. I've done it for years with no failures with dozens of different rifles. In fact some local guys get such fantastic performance from Barnes XXX in their .300 WSMs that I almost stooped to buy one just so as not to be left out. Of course the same bullet in my .300 Win Mag is even a little better. The truth is all of these calibers and bullets will work but its fun to argue about it anyway.

[Del in KS]

The Compleat Reloading Manual for the 25-06 lists a max charge of 59.7 grains H1000 with the Nosler partition for 3212 fps and 50,700 CUP. I load an even 60 grains behind the Barnes 100 grain triple X with no problems and get 3250 fps from my kimber with 24 inch barrel. The brass is WW and the primer is Fed 215. It appears to me the grooves lessen friction and pressure enough to use same powder charge as with any other bullet.

[shane]

This is a good tip, but I've never been in a situation where I said "man, I wish I had a flatter trajectory". I lean towards the heavier bullet weights. The only long shots I take are at varmints, and .223 and .222 are plenty flat for me.