Funny how suporter's and non-suporter's can be so passionate. Bottom line is Barnes are just a bullet. The best or worst just depends on who your talking to. But there are bullet's made by every manufacturer that will preform well on any game you want so long as you use an adequate cartridge and a proper bullet.
In reality, if all we had was the 7x57 and a 160gr bullet, we'd be in good shape. Or add most any cartridge you would like and a well chosen bullet.
It would be hard for me to believe that Rem would down grade the X type bullets. Rather they maybe decided that buying Barnes was the easiest way to gain that type bullet without all the research and developement and get a full line to boot.
Of course I'm not buying them, love Hornady's!