January 2009 Barnes Bullet-N
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I’m extremely proud to say that in addition to being talented, dedicated and hard working, many of the people working at Barnes Bullets are avid hunters and shooters. Fall is an especially exciting time around here because our people get the chance to shoot the bullets they help make.
Last month, 16 employees from the ballistics lab, production and public relations departments traveled hundreds of miles to conduct a cull hunt at an exotic game ranch. They shot a variety of animals ranging from bison, ibex, merino sheep and Corsican rams to black Hawaiian rams. The purpose of the hunt was to evaluate the performance of new and existing Barnes products under controlled conditions in the field.
Every day in the ballistics lab, we shoot countless bullets into various kinds of media. These vitally important tests tell us how each bullet functions under laboratory conditions. However, nothing can take the place of data collected from animals shot in the field.
Shooting game under controlled hunting conditions is the acid test of bullet performance. It tells us how game actually reacts when struck by our bullets, and shows us exactly what kind of damage the bullets inflict. Conducting these “real world” tests has helped make Barnes the leader in designing and manufacturing the most effective hunting bullets you can buy. It also allows us to speak from experience, which is a vitally important and invaluable information we can provide to our customers.
I’m happy to report that in 2008, Barnes Bullets enjoyed its best year ever. The coming year promises to be even more successful for our company. One reason for our success is that we listen to our customers, then do our very best to fill their needs. A number of new products will be introduced in 2009, and we expect them to be well accepted by our customers. We appreciate you, our customers, and encourage you to send us your feedback, comments and suggestions.
Here’s wishing all of you health and happiness in the coming year. May you draw the permits you apply for and enjoy successful hunts.
Randy Brooks
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The past year has been a good and very busy time for Barnes. Thanks to our loyal customers, we enjoyed substantial growth in 2008. For that, we are very grateful. We hope 2009 will be as good as, if not an even better year.
We will be busy this month attending trade shows—mainly the SHOT Show, which is in Orlando this year January 15th through January 18th, and the Safari Club Convention in Reno from January 21st through January 24th.
We have many new products for 2009, including some additions to the Triple-Shock and Tipped TSX lineup, along with some new Varmint Grenades. Of course, we also have the new easier-loading Spit-Fire T-EZ muzzleloader bullets.
In 2009, we’re also introducing a brand-new line of M/LE bullets. Interest is rapidly growing for tactical guns and gear, and these lead-free bullets are designed for military, law enforcement, training and personal defense applications.
Included in this lineup are RRLP (Reduced Ricochet, Limited Penetration) rifle bullets featuring a powdered-metal copper-tin core encased in a gilding metal jacket. These bullets combine pinpoint accuracy with explosive fragmentation. They won’t damage steel targets. One big advantage these bullets offer is they remain intact in autoloading actions. This eliminates a primary cause of jams often encountered when frangible bullets lacking a protective jacket are used in autoloading rifles. RRLP bullets are offered in 55-grain 5.56mm (.224”), 140-grain 30 caliber (.308″) and a 108-grain 7.62×39mm (.310”).
All-copper TAC-X™ rifle bullets deliver double-diameter expansion, superior accuracy and full functionality at long range. Available in 55-, 62- and 70-grain .224”; 85- and 110-grain 6.8mm (.277”); 110-, 150- and 168-grain .308”; 123-grain 7.62×39mm (.310”); and 647-grain 50 BMG weights and calibers.
TAC-XP™ pistol bullets are designed for law enforcement and personal defense. These 100-percent copper bullets consistently outperform jacketed lead-core bullets in FBI penetration tests. Available in .38 and .44 Special and most auto-pistol calibers.
TAC-LR™ .50 BMG bullets are the premier choice for extreme-range shooting. This 750-grain bullet is available with either a standard secant or shortened, tangent ogive. Barnes .50 BMG Solid bullets have high ballistic coefficients and produce superior accuracy.
In addition, we’re offering factory ammunition loaded with Barnes Bullets that can be ordered directly from our store site. Ammunition manufacturers that allow us to sell their factory ammunition through our internet store are: Black Hills, Cor-®Bon, Weatherby, Inc., International Cartridge Corporation and Silver State Armory.
Federal also loads our Triple-Shock and Tipped Triple-Shock bullets in their Vital-Shock line. You can purchase Federal ammo through your local dealer or mail-order company.
We hope you have a terrific year in 2009. Barnes will always be here providing time-proven products that not only work, but work well all the time. We never tire of being innovators. We’ll always be a step ahead of the competition in bringing you products you can rely on.
Thanks for your support.
Coni Brooks
Question: I am shooting a .50-caliber T/C Triumph muzzleloader. What should the sabot-seating pressure be? I am advised by some that it is critical to accuracy to use a pressure of about 30 pounds, and that this should be consistent from load to load. This makes sense, but I would like a more detailed explanation of the factors to be considered when shooting Barnes ML bullets with sabots.
—Bob Fusco
Answer: Consistency is the key. I don’t know that a set pressure is acceptable for all bullet-sabot combinations in a given bore. We have found that bore diameters vary considerably. One rifle using a Barnes TMZ might require 80 to 100 pounds of force to move bullets down the bore, while our T-EZ (easy-loading bullet/sabot) may need only 50 to 60 pounds of force to push a bullet down the same bore. It’s more important to seat the bullets consistently on the powder column. When fired, some powders create a crud ring just in front of the powder column, making it difficult to seat the bullet at the same depth every time unless you clean the bore between shots. I suggest marking the ramrod at the muzzle with a piece of tape when the bullet is seated on the powder column in a clean barrel. Doing this allows me to seat to the same depth in a dirty bore when I’m in the field and don’t have time to clean before reloading.
Because many T/C Triumphs have tight bores, I’m recommending our new easy loading T-EZ for your rifle.
Question: Why does the 150-grain .30-06 TSX BT produce higher velocity than the same weight bullet in the 7mm Remington Magnum? The Barnes Reloading Manual Number 4 shows the .30-06 developing a maximum velocity of 3,056 feet per second (fps) when loaded with 60 grains of H414, while the 7mm loads show a maximum of only 3,018 fps (using different powder). I have been reloading for about 25 years, and in all five of my reloading manuals, the 7mm magnum always shows higher velocities than the .30-06 develops. I realize the 7mm is not 300 or 400 fps faster than the .30-06, but there is a difference in the loading data I have.
Is there something about the Barnes bullet being different? I purchased your reloading manual number 4, and this is the first year I will do any reloading with the Barnes bullet. I believe what Bob Hagel has written about in his book—that velocity is important in long-range shooting. I have used his loads in the 7mm, and have worked up loads in the 3,200 fps range without any pressure signs. I guess my question is, does the copper bullet load differently than a lead-filled bullet?
—Richard Erwin
Answer: Yes, I’ve also noticed this trend that’s evident in a few different manuals. However, I’ve often contended that the .30-06 is a more efficient cartridge, and that it can be handloaded to match velocities of the 7mm Remington Magnum, bullet weight for bullet weight. The Nosler manual suggests the 7mm Rem Mag gives higher velocities than the .30-06 with 150-grain bullets. The Hornady and Hodgdon manuals suggest 150-grain bullet velocities much like those listed in the Barnes manual. Nosler’s manual is very generous, showing a 150-grain 7mm bullet velocity at over 3,200 fps. This doesn’t match any of the other manuals I checked. In the Speer manual, I had to compare odd bullet weights—but this manual does give a slight edge to the 7mm Rem Mag. Because of the variation in components and barrels, I do expect to see differences from manual to manual.
I agree. Velocity is very important when it comes to longer ranges. I, too, tend to load toward the top end of recommended data. To answer your question—yes, the all-copper bullet can load differently than a lead-core bullet. Always follow the manufacturer’s suggestions. You may find a higher or lower charge recommended for our bullet than for a conventional lead-core bullet, depending on cartridge, bullet weight and powder, etc.
The Balderrama family loves to hunt, and depends on Barnes TSX bullets to put game down to stay. Here’s a photo collection of these hunters with some of their trophies.
While hunting in Tajikistan, Mayo Balderrama killed this great Marco Polo ram from a distance of 654 yards. He used a .300 Remington Ultra Mag loaded with 180-grain TSX bullets. Only one shot was needed to do the job.
Silvia Balderrama used her .300 Weatherby Magnum and a 130-grain TSX bullet to down this Aoudad in Texas with one shot from a range of 365 yards.
Gilberto Balderrama – 257 STW 100 TSX New Mexico Antelope. 217 yds.
Carolina Balderrama – 25-06 100 TSX 120 yds New Mexico Antelope.
Using the same .300 Weatherby Magnum combined with a 130-grain TSX bullet Silvia killed this magnificent Texas whitetail at 220 yards. The deer scored 194 gross.
Mayo Balderrama Jr. – 257 STW 100 TSX 250 yds 1 shot – New Mexico – Antelope.
Mayo Balderrama used 130-grain TSX bullets in his .300 Weatherby Magnum to shoot this fine aoudad in Texas. He dropped the animal with one shot at 190 yards.
Parmesan Dove Casserole
12 doves
Salt and pepper
Flour
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1 small onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
Fresh parsley, chopped (or parsley flakes)
1 cup chicken broth or chicken bouillon
1/2 cup parmesan
1/2 cup dry white wine
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Split doves down the back, add salt and pepper to flour; dust birds lightly with flour mixture. Melt butter in heavy skillet and place the birds in pan breast side down. Saute, turning birds often until browned on both sides. Remove birds from skillet and place them in a casserole dish with lid. Pour drippings from skillet over birds; add onions, carrots, parsley, chicken broth, and wine. Cover dish and bake birds for 45 minutes. Spoon wine gravy over the birds when serving. Serves 4-5 people.
Thad Stevens
Ballistics Lab Manager
We do an unparalleled amount of testing with Barnes bullets here in the ballistics lab into test medium such as ballistics gelatin, water and many other types of products available to us. However, we understand there is no substitute for going afield and gathering the data from shots taken on live game. Last month, the folks at Little Creek Ranch in Colorado were kind enough to let sixteen of the Barnes employees from the lab, production and PR conduct product testing and evaluation on live game. This kind of setting is invaluable for activities of this nature.
A total of eighteen animals ranging from exotic goats and sheep to yearling bison were taken with a myriad of calibers, weights and designs. Shot placement was carefully planned to get the most from the tests. A tremendous amount of information was photographed, recorded, and analyzed.
There were several goals we planned to accomplish on this trip, but foremost was to evaluate the performance of current products and new products planned for the future. However, the by-product of this trip was a greater sense of camaraderie and shared memories between many members of the Barnes team. When it comes down to it, aren’t those some of the most important reasons we head out to hunting camp each year? Those are the kinds of memories and experiences we keep throughout our lives that just can’t be experienced any other way.
Also pictured is the recovered XPB bullet.
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I am originally from south Texas, but moved to southern New Mexico a couple of years ago. I am an avid hunter and fisherman, and have really enjoyed using Barnes Bullets in my reloading. My son and I each took a bull oryx (gemsbock) here in New Mexico. The animals never knew what hit them. My friend said he couldn’t believe they were such clean, fast kills! I have really enjoyed your bullets and use them regularly. Many thanks
—Robert Whitley
Gannett™ Two Burner Camo
With a brushed stainless steel lid and two 12,000 BTU burners, our new Gannett™ 2-Burner is a welcome addition to the Family Camping line. With a low profile, a durable stainless steel construction, and a Piezo push-button ignition, the Gannett 2-Burner offers classic cooking in a compact package. Hook-up your one-pound propane bottle for 1.5 hours of constant cooking on high output. It’s all part of our expanding line for this new generation of family campers.
* 24,000 BTUs (12,000 per burner)
* Burn time: Up to 1.5 hours-high output
* Removable burner plate for easy cleaning
* Precision fuel control
* Ultra strong design
* One year warranty
MSRP $120.00
For more information visit www.brunton.com.
Recovered .30 caliber 200-grain TSX from a cow eland shot at 50 yards with a .30-06 at 2600 fps muzzle velocity. Entered the right shoulder, stopped just under the hide of the left shoulder.
Photo taken by Kenneth Royce, Javelin Press