Barnes X bullets

W

William Hobbs

New member
I am just getting into reloading my Ruger VT
22-250 and i picked up some 53gr X-Bullets. Does anyone else use these and if so do you have some load data for them.

Thanks Bill
 
I use the barnes VLC(Dry lube coated) bullets in 3- 22 cal rifles. And have noticed a considerably, the lack of copper fouling in these rifles. You might want to try the Barnes XLC. X- bullet with the dry lube coating.
 
Mr Hobbs,
I hate to say anything discourageing, but you may not like the performance you get with those.

Especially if you are just getting into reloading.

Barnes bullets are very hard to make work correctly, Ive tried several types and never had one that I would buy again.

If you do get them to fly right, they kill like the hammers of hell, aint no doubt about that.

Might also want to try some Vmax, or some 52 grain HPBT's, or some Bal tips or something.
 
My understanding with the X-bullets, being all copper, tend to be too long for a twist rate when compared with a similarly weighted lead cored round. The slower twist rates in many .22 cals tend to have more difficulty stabilizing the long bullets than the faster twist rates.

Anyway, that's my understanding of it based on the readings of interior ballistics I've been studying here and there.
 
Originally posted by BroncoGlenn:
[qb]Anyway, that's my understanding of it based on the readings of interior ballistics I've been studying here and there.[/qb]
Click to expand...
Bronco, I'm getting the same read as you, but also finding posters commenting on good to excellent results when pushing the intermediate weight bullets at maximum velocity. When I contacted Barnes for powder recommendations for the 100 gr. pill in the .25-06, their top recommendation was Reloader 19 and .050 off the lands for starters. Tonight I will load for max. pressure testing and then work from there to obtain best seating depth; min. 030 and max.070. Of course if I seat out closer than .050 to the lands I will back off a grain and work back up. Apparently the seating off the lands reduces the pressure spike similar to the Weatherby chamber free bore. I'll give a rundown of my trials and tribulations.
 
Mr. Hobbs,

My family has used the X-Bullet on big now for about 9 years. We shoot them in everything from .223 to .378 Weatherby Mag. To be honest some of our rifles love them some kinda strugle. I feel some of it has to do with the lenght of the bullet. X-bullets in general are about 10% longer than a conventional lead core bullet of the same weight due to copper is less dense than lead. My .223 has a 1-9 twist and it shoots the 53gr X-Bullet great. Your 22-250 probably has a 1-12 or a 1-14 I would guess? Try it, you have nothing to lose. Oh and bye the way, that little 53gr X-Bullet dose a number on Deer. I killed two last year with my .223. The first was Broadside at 40 yards and the second was quartering to me at 85 yards. Both shots recked havic on the lungs and penetrated completely leaving a golf ball size exit hole. I guess bottom line is, if your gun likes them shoot'em if not there are plenty of awesome bullets out there for your 22-250. Good luck and safe hunting.

MI Varmint Buster.
 
Although I have not shot the X bullet in my 22-250 yet but I have shot many of them in my Rem ADL 270 and Rem BDL 7 mag. The 130gr moly coat shoots FANTASTIC in the 270 - I have shot 3 groups now of one-holers for 3 shots. Averages are around 5/8"

The 150gr X (moly) in the mag averages around 5/8" most of the time, if I do my part.

With these two riles I have no complaints using the X bullet.
 
Originally posted by Quarter Round:
[QBBronco, I'm getting the same read as you, but also finding posters commenting on good to excellent results when pushing the intermediate weight bullets at maximum velocity. [/QB]
Click to expand...
What is being seen is that velocity is used to increase the RPM when the twist rate is not tight enough. Get that bullet spinning fast enough and it'll eventually stabilize. Downside is the effect that max loads tend to take on a barrel over time, especially in fast movers like 22-250, Swifts, .243, .25-06, etc. Spin some bullets--typically thin jacketed varmint bullets--too fast though and they fly apart in flight.
 
Mr. Hobbs, I'm with Tackdriver. I have tried them in the past and will never try them again. I tried several load combinations with the X bullets in 257AI and 220 Swift with very poor results. My recommendations are Nosler BT's and Hornady V-Max. I am sold on the V-Max.
 
I've shot the Barnes X seated out to .070(1.8"), .060(1.8"), and .050(1.2") center to center groups. SO SO results. I will drop back a grain on the RL19 and seat at .040 and .030 of the lands hoping for a tighter group. The best load will be used for deer this fall out of a Rem 700 Mtn rifle.
 
Hi CRAPSHOOT i just got the Barnes 22 cal VLC bullets about 300 of the bullets at a good price did u shoot them out of a 22 250 and if so what load work the best i have NEVER use a Barnes bullets before all ways Noslers BT will these bullets do the same thing on a coyote as a BT i dont know any thing about a Barnes bullets i will take any help i can get thanks VM
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top