January 06, 2009
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January 2008 Barnes Bullet-n
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When Coni and I bought this company in the early ‘70s, we’d been running a trading post and making saddles in Ramah, New Mexico. I was very active in team roping, and for the first few years we owned Barnes Bullets, the company depended on whatever prize money I won to help support the bullet-making operation.
As Barnes’ sales increased, I soon had little time for roping. The business required all the effort Coni and I could devote to it. Thanks to good fortune, great products and years of hard work, the company is succeeding beyond our original dreams.
After a 27-year hiatus, I’m taking the time to pursue roping again not out of necessity, but for the love of the sport. I competed in the World Series of Team Roping in Las Vegas this past December. I felt really good about how we performed. We placed in the money on the first day of the event, hit a few bumps the second and third day, but had a really great time and plan on going back again next year.
While I enjoy designing and building world-class bullets with the great group of people we have here, team roping helps satisfy my competitive spirit. It’s an activity I love—it keeps me mentally sharp and physically active. It’s been really fun mixing it up and staying busy with the many different things we have going on right now.
Thanks to the company’s success, we’re in the process of constructing a new manufacturing facility in a rural area 40 miles south of the current plant. Coni and I are building a home at the far end of the property. We’re acting as the general contractor, with Coni organizing all the subcontractor work. When we’re finished, we’ll have plenty of acreage for our horses and cattle.
I think the new year is a good time to reassess where we are in life and take steps to move forward in a positive direction. Is there something you’ve been wanting to do, but just haven’t taken the time to do it? Maybe you’re interested in becoming more proficient in your shooting skills. Talk to your local gun club or get involved with a shooting organization, maybe start shooting some matches. Better yet, on January 2nd, head down to the bank and open up a savings account you regularly put money into that will someday go towards your dream hunt. And if you haven’t done so already, get your kids involved in shooting.
I’m grateful for many things, including the sacrifices our troops are making, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’m thankful to live in a country where we enjoy so many precious freedoms, especially the freedom to hunt and own firearms. I’m thankful for a loving wife and family, and for the new year that lies ahead. I hope it’s a great year for all of you. I know it will be for us.
Last month I mentioned the huge deer Denny Austad recently shot—here’s a photo that shows it off.
Randy Brooks
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I’m devoting this column to my husband Randy—the most amazing guy I know. He has always been a great support system for me, and is always encouraging me to try new things. He has taught me I can do anything as long as I put my mind to it and want it badly enough. He has also done this with our two girls, as well. We have been married for 38 years this coming February, and I must say it has been wonderful—most of the time . . .
I have always enjoyed the outdoors and have hunted and fished with my father from the time I could walk. When Randy and I were first married, we did a lot of hunting together. He helped me gain experience by taking me rabbit hunting to fine tune my shooting skills. Then we did more pheasant and mule deer hunting.
After we purchased the bullet company, he was the one who talked me in to going on my first grizzly bear hunt in Alaska. I had no idea this hunt would be the beginning of what I wanted to do in the future, and that was do more hunting!
Thanks to his encouragement, I have taken some unbelievable hunting trips I never would have imagined myself doing back in those early days. As a result, I’ve become pretty tough out in the woods when I need to be.
Randy has never been one to sit in front of the television set. He always has to be doing something. As a result, we share a lot of outdoor activities, like riding horses. We own several. He was a jockey for his grandfather in his younger days, and loves team roping. He was—and still is—very good at it. To this day, he continues to be involved in team roping competitions.
Another great outdoor activity we do together is boating and waterskiing. We both love the water. We’ve spent many summer days at Lake Powell, fine-tuning our waterskiing skills—yet another thing he has encouraged me to do.
Randy is a very hands-on person and doesn’t let many things get the best of him. If it’s broke, he’ll figure a way to fix it. I’m very glad he’s that way.
Randy is a very active person and seems to have endless energy. This can’t help but rub off on anyone who is around him. I am amazed at how he seems to keep going and going—that’s keeping us both young.
After getting his pilot license, he thought it would be a good idea for me to obtain one, as well. I was reluctant at first, but he persisted. I earned my pilot license four years ago, thanks to his support.
Randy is an awesome and devoted hunter who cares about wildlife as most hunters do. He has devoted a lot of time to making sure wildlife thrives and prospers, especially in our home state. He has been instrumental in making Utah deer and elk hunting some of the best in the country.
Randy is a person who never gives up, and I admire that a lot. When things are tough, he just tries harder. He has a heart of gold and is always thinking of what he can do for someone else.
I am so blessed to have him as a husband and a friend. He has truly made my life complete.
Coni Brooks
First, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Yes, that’s right, it’s snuck up on us again. The older I get, the faster the years seem to go. Don’t waste another day! Enjoy life! Take a friend or youngster hunting or shooting!
We are well into the coyote season and I’ve been getting some great reports about our newest varmint bullet—the Varmint Grenade. Calls are pouring in about how lethal they are on coyotes. You pelt hunters will be pleased to hear good broadside shots with the VG’s aren’t blowing big exit holes in those valuable hides.
These new bullets are lead-free for those who require it, but that’s just icing on the cake. You see, these bullets employ new technology that use a powdered metal core to produce explosive results. Kelly Schafer at the Sportsman’s Warehouse in Casper, Wyoming sent us a DVD showing several great shots of Varmint Grenades used in prairie dog towns. The results were impressive!
Below is a photo of ballistic gelatin that tell the tale. You can see right away how quickly these bullets expand, and the shallow, but large-diameter cavities they create. If you’ve recently visited our website, you’ve probably seen the high-speed video showing Varmint Grenades impacting a grape and a cherry tomato. Click here if you haven’t seen it.
Accuracy reports are also great! Last May I reported how well these bullets work in barrels with several different twists. They shoot well from barrels with twist rates ranging from 1 turn in 7 inches through 1:14. Click here to view May’s newsletter.
New for 2008, Barnes will be introducing a .224-caliber 50-grain Varmint Grenade for those of you with 1:7 through 1:10 twist barrels. This heavier, longer VG requires these faster-twist barrels to stabilize properly. I’m looking forward to trying them on varmints, but am also excited to hear from folks in the field and get their results. If you have a story to tell, give us a call. We’d love to hear from you.
If you have a .224- or .243-caliber rifle, I guarantee you’ll like ‘em. Start planning those hunts! The new year is already upon us.
Happy Hunting
Ty
Just a quick note of thanks. This eatin’-size caribou was taken after a 7.5-mile hike that took me behind Toolik Lake off the Dalton Highway. That’s about 500 miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska.
The trip started as a moose hunt down by Circle, but the heat had the rut slowed down, so we ventured north to find cooler weather. These were the only antlers I saw in 13 days. A Barnes TSX in my .300 Weatherby gave me all the confidence I needed to succeed on the hunt. This 180-grain bullet has shot .350-inch groups at 100 yards. There was never a worry about your bullet. Only worries were if my 43- year-old body could pack the caribou out. Your bullets are a perfect fit with Weatherby rifles. Thanks again.
—Ed Ott
Stuffed Wild Goose
Giblets from goose
4 cups bread crumbs
2 med. onions
2 apples, diced
1/4 tsp. sage
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 med. wild goose
2 tbsp. butter
Cook giblets until tender; reserve liquid. Chop giblets and add to bread crumbs, onions, apples, and seasonings. Add liquid from giblets to moisten stuffing. Place goose in roasting pan and dot with butter. Bake approx. 20 minutes per pound of goose at 350 degrees. Baste often. 8-12 servings.
Jessica Brooks, Ballistics Lab Manager
This month’s topic is focused on case head expansion and case stretch with new, once fired and twice fired brass. In the lab, we often measure case head expansion as a back-up or additional reference in conjunction with our equipment.
We chose a minimum, moderate and maximum charge for the .270 Winchester and used a standard COAL. A pressure barrel was thoroughly cleaned, case heads were measured with a blade micrometer (all in the same place – using a specific reference point) and case length was recorded after sizing the brass. Winchester brass, Federal GM210M primers, RL 19 powder and the 130 grain Triple-Shock X Bullet were the components used for this activity. An average of the measurements, pressure and velocity was recorded after shooting five-shot strings for each load following the first and second firings. Following each firing the cases were trimmed back to the original case length. Below is the summary of the raw averages illustrated in table form. All dimensions are in inches.
We expected to see less case head expansion and case stretch with once fired brass, and we did. It was a bit interesting however, that the velocity and pressure with the once fired brass increased just slightly from the moderate to maximum charge. The moderate charge is 1.8 grains over the minimum, and maximum charge is 1.7 grains over the moderate charge. (Charges are not listed as it not a standard data we have proofed for publication.) The efficiency of the load improves substantially on the second firing in two out of the three loads, which makes a pretty good point for why a person would reload. The brass stretches less, is conformed to the chamber, and therefore is able to produce more efficient results in many cases.
So, we send out these test results in this newsletter month after month and hope that one of the messages we’re getting across is that RELOADING IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE. That’s why, when working up loads manufacturers make the recommendation to begin with minimum charges and use safe reloading practices.
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He won the Savage Hunters Edge Fixed Blade Knife.
The picture above is of my son and me on my family’s farm in southern Michigan (shotguns only area). He’s the one clutching the 10-point buck. I’m an eight-year military veteran, and have served more than 20 years with the Michigan Department of Corrections. I’m currently the Arsenal Sergeant and a weapons instructor at a maximum-security prison. I reloaded my first shotgun shells when I was nine years old, and am still reloading. With the exception of .22 rimfires and shotgun slugs, I don’t shoot factory ammo (except at work), and reload for over a dozen different centerfires. With Barnes bullets my son and I have taken whitetail deer and black bear. These bullets shoot well, and get the job done with authority.
—Joe Miller
HuntLite DragPack
The new DragPack from IST Designs, Inc, features a special game drag built into the pack. Like all the company’s HuntLite packs, the DragPack is extremely light at only 2.2 pounds. The pack has four large, deep-well pockets around the lower perimeter and a 100-ounce hydration pocket down the center. Hydration bladder is not included. Two side pockets have large flaps and are deep enough to hold your biggest binocular without you worrying it might fall out. The DragPack also has a rifle sleeve that you deploy only when needed. This sleeve is normally folded up into the pack.
When using the pack to drag game to the truck or back to camp, simply strap your rifle into the pack, where it can rest down the center of your back. This balances the load very well. The pack features dual waistbands that spread the load across your torso for maximum dragging comfort. Dual attachment points allow the use of two separate lines or a single drag line.
All HuntLite packs are designed to be worn while shooting. This is achieved by the use of soft two-inch wide web shoulder straps, which don’t interfere with your gun mount as bulky, padded shoulder straps do. The pack retails for $149.95.
Features:
· Extremely lightweight 2 lbs.
· 1000-D construction
· Quiet brushed RealTree camo exterior
· Compression straps
· Bungee system for carrying jackets or other clothing outside the pack
· Pocket for 100-ounce hydration bladder.
Made in Bozeman, Montana, USA
For more information, contact IST Designs, Inc., 99 East Oak Street, Bozeman, MT 59715, call toll-free at 888-478-6565, or visit our website at www.www.istdesigns.com.
We work pretty diligently to get the point across that we feel it’s important to involve the whole family in the shooting sports. My 12-year old son, Tanner, is working on his science experiment for school about bullet performance. He’s pretty fortunate in that his family can offer a state-of-the-art ballistics lab to conduct his testing! This is a photo of Tanner on the 100 yard side of the Barnes shooting tunnel, getting ready to shoot a block of ballistics gelatin. He’s using a 30-06 that my father built for me when I was 14 years old. He’ll be comparing the performance of Triple-Shock, MPG and Solid bullets for his presentation.
I have received requests in the past from children for information that might help them with their science projects. While Barnes can’t conduct the shooting tests, I’m happy to send our DVD “Bullet Myths Busted” and a catalog for their reference. Parents can help their children with the shooting portion of an experiment by using all sorts of test media. Bullets can be recovered and photographed, while trajectory charts with energy calculations, wind drift and time of flight data can be gathered and used. I’ve had a lot of fun over the years doing this with my kids. Help your child by brainstorming some ideas, increase their knowledge of shooting, hunting, and ballistics, and maybe in the process you’ll generate another child’s interest in the shooting sports. Heck, you might even learn something, too!
-Jessica Brooks
