June 2008 Barnes Bullet-N
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June is prime time for prairie dog hunting. The season has just opened in many states. While temperatures are beginning to climb, the weather isn’t as hot as it will be in July. These prolific pests make plentiful targets, giving you the chance to get a little hunting and a lot of shooting in before big game seasons get underway.
Speaking of big game seasons, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has announced the results of this year’s drawing for trophy hunting permits. Coni and I were both lucky enough to draw tags. She will be hunting elk in mid-September, while I’ll hunt mule deer the following month. We’ll be hunting practically in the back yard of the home we’ve just completed in rural Mona, Utah, near Barnes’ new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility now under construction. Coni and I will be able to ride horses from our home to scout for elk and deer on nearby Mt. Nebo.
I sometimes hear people say they’re not bothering to put in for a valued tag because the odds against drawing are so high. That’s a bad mistake. If you don’t apply for a tag, the odds are even worse. Last year my friend Rob Ethington drew a Montana Super Tag for Rocky Mountain sheep. The odds against him were 22,000 to one. He killed his ram that September with a .300 WSM shooting 180-grain MRX bullets. Three years ago I was lucky enough to draw a desert sheep tag, even though I had only six preference points. Coni drew her 2008 elk tag with just eight preference points.
Don’t let the odds get you down. If you continue to send in your applications, chances are you’ll eventually draw out. If you don’t put in, there’s no way you can draw a tag. Because my uncle had many preference points, he was optimistic about his chances of drawing a sheep tag. That didn’t happen, even though the odds were just four to one. Discouraged, he told me he wasn’t going to apply for a tag next year. Then I reminded him that this time his drawing odds would be down to 50-50.
Those who regularly apply for these valued permits don’t always succeed. But if they’re patient and don’t give up, they’ll eventually be rewarded. Even when the odds are against you, you could still draw out.
Wishing you good hunting in the months ahead,
Randy Brooks
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Last month, I received some very good news about my hunting plans for this fall.
After applying more years than I want to mention for a Utah elk tag, I’ve finally drawn a prized bull elk tag for the Mt. Nebo area. Mt. Nebo is the majestic mountain just behind the new home Randy and I recently constructed and the new plant we’re building in Mona, Utah. We’ve broken ground for the new factory, and we hope to be in it by early 2009.
To say the least, I am truly excited to get this elk tag. In Utah, we have sportsman’s fundraisers, and the Division of Wildlife Resources designates conservation tags for many wildlife species. These tags are given to various sportsman groups to auction off at their banquets. At auction, a highly prized elk tag like the one I drew would go for an unbelievable amount. As far as I’m concerned, my tag is priceless.
I want to add that all the money conservation tags raise at fundraisers goes back to wildlife and wildlife projects. This is a darn good plan that helps wildlife here in Utah thrive and prosper. Without the money generated from these auctions, the Division of Wildlife Resources would have a lot less to spend on wildlife. I think this is an awesome way to make everyone happy and secure in the knowledge that there will be plenty of wildlife—both now and in the future.
I feel unbelievably lucky to have drawn this tag. The elk here in Utah are unsurpassed! I just hope I can connect with a good bull. We have some of the best—if not the best—elk hunting in the United States, which is all due to the efforts of good wildlife management. I am a true believer in wildlife management where the public can be involved in making good, sound management decisions. It has certainly worked here in Utah, and can work in other states, as well.
On the Barnes home front, we never tire of coming up with new products. We are innovators, not imitators, and feel our amazing team of employees is tops in our industry. They get plenty of challenges as they work to make new state-of-the art products to keep shooters and hunters using the “best of the best” products available today.
In response to customer requests, we are making a mid-year introduction of flat-based TMZ muzzleloading bullets. If you’re not familiar with our line of muzzleloading bullets, the TMZ is the tipped version of our all-copper muzzleloading projectile. We currently offer a boattail TMZ—but for those who want flat-base bullets, your wishes are now a done deal. We are offering the new bullets in 250- and 290-grains, in 15 and 24-bullet packs. Item number 45171 is the 250-grain 15-bullet pack. Item number 45182 is the 250-grain 24-bullet pack. Item number 45174 is the 290-grain 15-pack, and item number 45192 is the 290-grain 24-pack.
You can check pricing and order these by going to our store at www.barnesbullets.com. Most dealers won’t have these in stock for awhile as they’re a new, mid-year introduction. Because they weren’t introduced until mid-year, many dealers may not be aware of this offering. Also, be sure to order the proper aligner tool (item No. 05007) if you’re purchasing these bullets which can also be found on our online store.
We have a few more things up our sleeves for 2009. You’ll be the first to learn about them when our plans are finalized. We thank you for being a Club X member and I hope you enjoy receiving our Bullet-n.
By the way, thanks to all those customers who visited us at the N.R.A. Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Everyone was super friendly and we really enjoyed seeing you. As always, we appreciate your great comments and your support.
Coni
Question: To Randy and Barnes Bullets,
First of all, I would like to say I am extremely pleased with your bullets and the accuracy I have been able to achieve handloading for myself and setting up rifles for my friends. I was first introduced to the TSX by a mutual friend of Randy’s, Garrett Woolstenhulme, who owns and operates Red Creek Outfitters, outside of Coalville, Utah at the edge of the Uinta mountains.
My friends, my clients and I have harvested several very nice animals with Garrett. I have included photos of a couple that I have taken over the last two or three years. The mule deer gross scored 195 inches and was shot on Moffit peak at a range of 528 yards. The elk was shot on the northeast slope of Porcupine mountain; the range was 498 yards. Both animals were killed with a .300 Ultra Magnum firing 168-grain TSXs loaded with 95 grains of RL 25 and Federal match primers. This rifle is set up for long range with a Zeiss 4.5-14×50mm target scope. I don’t have a chronograph, but the ballistics appear to be really close to the data noted in your No. 3 manual for 3,400 feet per second (fps) velocities. I have a small “cheat chart” taped to the tube of my scope. This allows me to range the animal, turn the target turret knob the appropriate number of clicks, and hold dead-on. This arrangement works really well. I have since set up several rifles using this same system with TSX bullets of various calibers and employing a variety of powders.
However, I do have a few questions:
1. I have shot three mule deer, two elk, four caribou and four whitetails with this rifle and load. Of these animals, the elk shown in the photograph, all the caribou, and a whitetail fell in their tracks or ran only a few yards. The others traveled anywhere from 75 to 100 yards before going down. There was complete penetration, with the bullets leaving a large exit hole in all the animals I shot. There was also a lot of blood, so tracking was easy. It seems that if I shoot a thin-skinned animal in the shoulder and the bullet hits something hard, the animal falls immediately or only a few steps away. But if I shoot the same thin-skinned animal in the traditional behind-the-shoulder vital area, it runs off.
Is this bullet going too fast to function as it’s designed to in lighter-skinned animals? Should I slow it down for deer-sized game, or go to a heavier bullet?
2. I’m going to British Columbia this fall for grizzly, moose and black bear. Would the 180-grain or 200-grain TSX be a better choice? The 180-grain bullet appears to have more energy than the 200-grain TSX at say, 150 to 200 yards; however, it doesn’t look like there’s much difference between the 168-grain bullet I’m already shooting and the 180-grain TSX.
3. Lastly, where can I find ballistics that will show me the drop, velocity and energy out past 600 yards? The Reloading Manual No. 3 shows this information out to only 600 yards. I would be curious to see how the bullet would perform out to at least 800 yards. If the conditions were right, I would feel comfortable shooting at an elk or mule deer at this range.
Thank you so much for a great product. I hope you can help with my questions. Tell Randy I hope that maybe one day we can be in Garrett’s camp at the same time.
—Greg Harris
Answer: Congratulations on some fine trophies!
Obviously, the animals you described were hit well in the vitals. They were walking dead and just didn’t know it. To drop an animal on the spot, you need to damage the nervous system enough to immediately shut it down, or you can break the animal down physically. Animals put out massive amounts of adrenaline, sometimes allowing them to overcome a severely damaged heart and/or lungs to continue on for a short distance.
Shoulder shots break game down physically, putting the animal on the ground. The heart alternately fills and empties as it dilates and contracts. After years of talking with various hunters and guides, I’ve come to the conclusion that when the heart is filled to capacity, a heart shot causes an instant DRT—”dead right there”—reaction. Stories of veins bursting in the neck, or other areas when this happens, leads me to believe these animals suffered an instant stroke caused by too much blood being forced to the brain in a quick pulse. However, the odds of your bullet striking the heart the instant it’s completely full of blood every time are slim.
I believe both heart/lung and shoulder/lung shots are ethical, and both accomplish the same goal. In hunting areas where foliage is dense and animals may be lost if they move out of sight after being shot, I find more and more folks taking shoulder/lung shots to anchor their animals.
At Barnes, we believe TXS, Tipped TSX and MRX bullets create long, wide wound channels and damage more bone, organs and tissue to give you the best chance at success.
To answer question No. 1, there’s no need to reduce velocity or go to a heavier bullet for hunting thin-skinned game.
Question No.2: For hunting big game like grizzlies, we recommend the heavier 180-grain or 200-grain TSX. Heavier bullets give better penetration—and you’ll want all the penetration you can get if you have to take a follow-up “tail pipe” shot.
Question No. 3: There’s a lot of information available related to these bullets and trajectories, energies and velocities. I suggest you take advantage of our Ballistics Program Trial. On our web site under “Products,” you can find the Ballistics program. Download the trial program—you can use it twice before purchasing it. Click here to download the free trial.
Your comments and patronage are appreciated!
Best, Ty
I tried your .50 caliber 250-grain TMZ bullets in my Knight Disc Extreme rifle during my recent South Pacific hunt. The bullets were extremely accurate at the range, and were absolutely TERMINAL on animals. Not many bullets will perform as well as these did on big, tough red stags.
I was amazed at both the accuracy and deadly performance these quality bullets delivered. I am now a believer for life!
—Michael McFarlane
Foil Roasted Salmon
2 salmon filets
Juice of 2 lemons
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 cup minced mushrooms
1/2 cup minced onion
1 Tbsp. dill weed
1/3 stick of butter
Preheat your grill or oven to 350 F. Put salmon in a shallow baking dish that has a lid. Simmer the butter, onions, dill, mushrooms, lemon juice and garlic in a small pot until the onions are thoroughly glazed. Then pour the sauce over salmon.
Cover the baking dish with foil and put on the lid. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes depending on size. Test with a fork in the thick part of the filet to make sure it is flaky.
Jessica Brooks
This month’s From The Lab is “part deux” of our primer test. Last month, we reported on the results obtained in a .300 Winchester Magnum, shooting a 168-grain Triple Shock, with several different brands of standard and magnum primers. We chose one extruded and one ball powder for the test. Winchester brass was used and loads were fired from a pressure barrel chambered to SAAMI specifications.
Two 5-shot strings were shot per powder/primer combination, allowing the barrel to cool between strings. We used standard and magnum primers from Federal, Winchester, CCI, Remington, and standard primers from MagTech.
The same basic criteria was followed for this month’s test, but in a .30-06. Same bullet weight and style as was used for the .300 Winchester Magnum test with a change in powder charges. For the extruded powder, we used 60.0 grains of RL 19 (maximum load). For the ball powder, we used 59.0 grains of Ramshot Hunter (close to maximum load). Before reviewing the results, remember that reloading is not a perfect science, and this is just one test. Your rifle could produce very different results. The point is to illustrate that there are differences in components.
It was interesting to me that with this test velocity differences were negligible. The real variations were found in the accuracy results. Talking averages, the RL 19 powder with magnum primers produced better accuracy than with standard primers. Hunter found favor with standard primers. As was concluded with the .300 Winchester Magnum test, there doesn’t appear to be a consistent correlation between Standard Deviation (SD), Extreme Spread (ES) and Accuracy. But these are 100 yard groups. These numbers would make a difference if we were to record the accuracy data at longer distances.
Hopefully this information is helpful to you in these times of reloading component shortages. I know many of you at some point or another have been frustrated – just as I have – when looking for a particular brand of primer or brass, only to find it’s out of stock. Oh, but the store has an alternative that “should work just fine.” I despise hearing that. I want what I want because I know it works!
I’m headed out to do some Varmint Grenade testing on a few prairie dog towns in South Dakota this month. So I was thinking we might stray from the course a little bit for the next “FTL” and test diesel fuel alternatives. What are they thinking – charging us over $4.50 a gallon! If I can convince him, Randy’s crew cab would be a great candidate for this one. Don’t they grow a whole lot of corn not too far from South Dakota?
Click here to view the PDF of Extreme Spread (ES), Standard Deviation (SD) and Accuracy data:
Graph
Ramshot Hunter Powder
*Note: Velocity represented in fps, Pressure represented in psi
RL19 Powder
*Note: Velocity represented in fps, Pressure represented in psi
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I love to hunt, fish and spend time outdoors. Last November I shot a nice elk with Barnes TSX 180-grain bullets. This was the first elk I have ever taken.
I am an employee of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol.
I am 49 years old. I took up reloading about a year ago, and a friend put me onto your bullets. I have developed many different loads for 150-, 165- and 180-grain TSX bullets. I recently moved from Sonoita, Arizona to Plentywood, Montana. I look forward to using your bullets on the big game here in Montana. I am married, and have two kids ages 24 and 26. My wife and I raise miniature horses for a hobby.
–Raymond “Rusty” Russell
Leupold Green Ring™ Yosemite™ 6×30mm Binocular
Leupold’s new Green Ring Yosemite 6×30mm binocular was designed for easy use by a wide range of hunters and wildlife observers, including beginners and younger users.
Weighing 17 ounces and measuring 4.6 inches in length, the Yosemite is lightweight and small enough for hands of all sizes. Interpupillary distance settings accommodate users of all ages. The Yosemite’s 6x magnification gives a larger field of view. Coupled with a generous 20mm eye relief, this new binocular offers a more comfortable viewing experience for extended amounts of time, especially for novice users and those who wear eyeglasses. Available in black, natural or red, the Yosemite’s rubber armor coating protects against the elements and provides a sure grip.
Yosemite binoculars also feature multi-coated optics for a bright sight picture with the contrast and color fidelity needed to make positive identifications.
“Full-size binoculars can be too large and too powerful for many people, especially younger users, which takes away from their outdoor experience,” said Mike Slack, marketing communications manager for Leupold. “The Yosemite is designed to meet everyone’s needs and still provide the kind of optical performance demanded by serious users.”
Like all Leupold Green Ring binoculars, the Yosemite is ergonomically designed for comfort, balance and easy gripping over extended periods of viewing. The binocular is fully waterproof and backed by Leupold’s Green Ring Limited Lifetime Warranty. Suggested retail: $120.
For more information, contact a Leupold dealer, or Leupold & Stevens, Inc., P.O. Box 688, Beaverton, OR 97075-0688; telephone (503) 526-1400. Or visit our website at www.leupold.com.
This Barnes XPB 115-grain 9mm bullet from a COR-BON +P DPX factory load was fired into a Bullet Test Tube at a range of 5 feet out of a Glock M-17 with a 4.5-inch barrel. Muzzle velocity was 1,212 fps. The bullet started expanding after only an inch, and penetrated a total of 8.15 inches. Somewhere in its course, probably at about 2 inches, judging from the huge bulge in the wound cavity, the bullet tumbled, and ultimately came to rest base first. The volume of the resulting wound cavity measured 2.38 cubic inches.
The expansion was picture-perfect, as is typical of the X Bullet. The maximum dimension of the expanded petals was .680 inch – almost double its original .355-inch diameter, and weight of the recovered bullet was 115 grains, for 100% weight retention. The expansion factor was 1.47, which translates to a “performance classification” of 71, which makes it a “penetrating bullet.” You think?
Steve Gash
Contributing Editor
Guns & Ammo Magazine