Barnes LRX, 300 Win Mag Experiences??

[Brydawg512]

Hello all,

I recently purchased ammo from a reloading company with several different bullets. I am extremely new to precision/LR shooting, however, was able to shoot just under 1" with the 190g Barnes LRX out of my 300 Win Mag, with the other rounds produced less than satisfactory results. So, I have a few questions...

What is performance on game like at 600-700 yards? I hunt elk, bear and mule deer.

It had a 30 standard deviation and 64 extreme spread... what approach should I take to lowering these numbers, considering they are higher than acceptable.

Overall, looking to hear overall experience with this bullet, ESPECIALLY in regard to performance on game as this is what this rifle is used for.

Thanks in advance!

 

[twister]

you would have to do load development to improve your numbers.

I shoot hammer bullets for solids so i cant help you on barnes performance unfortunately.

 

[Brydawg512]

you would have to do load development to improve your numbers.

I shoot hammer bullets for solids so i cant help you on barnes performance unfortunately.

Thank you for your input. I have alot of reading to do, but where should I start? Does charge weight affect ES and SD?

 

[twister]

yes, a ladder test would be where to start working on that.

 

[Recon$$]

The 168s shoot fantastic out of my .308. 1/2 MOA or better consistently. They will shoot if you find the sweet spot. That deviation is not good by any means. You will really see it at distance.

I shot everything from a Kudu to impala and deer with them. I've only had one track job and that was on me.

 

[Brydawg512]

The 168s shoot fantastic out of my .308. 1/2 MOA or better consistently. They will shoot if you find the sweet spot. That deviation is not good by any means. You will really see it at distance.

I shot everything from a Kudu to impala and deer with them. I've only had one track job and that was on me.

Just for reference, what is an acceptable deviation? Obviously the lower the better, but under what number is acceptable or should be sought after?

 

[Recon$$]

Think that depends a little but for LR I would shoot for + or - 10 fps from your average with an ES of 20 or less as good ammunition.

 

[WyoHunter1]

I have been shooting Barnes TSX and then TTSX and LRX for 30+ years. I have always had good luck with them from 100 to 600 yards.

 

[Stewysays]

First thing I check and adjust on all of my new Barnes loads is free bore, I've had rifles that wont shoot unless its set at 0.000 and others that have to have it set at 0.225+

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I have loaded Barnes for several cartridges. Including 300 WM but it was the 150/175 grainers. They shoot extremely well, however seeing the longer range pics on the interwebs have steered me away from them for longer range. Close range driven fast, I think they would be fine. Several of the members on here have posted experiences and I trust their judgement on them. I have NOT put them in an animal. I did shoot a 175 LRX into wet newspaper at 200 yards once. Perfect bladed mushroom, just like on their website. One thing I noticed, was at distance shooting steel, it is hard to see the "splat".

Their all copper is very hard as opposed to some others. They can be challenging to get a load, but if you try to develop a load, I found they like to be seated deep in the case for a long jump to the lands and driven fast.

I have moved onto other monos now, very easy to develop the load. If I was only shooting long, I would be looking to a cup and core, but limiting shots (I think 700 is pushing it with any solid) to well above 1800 FPS (Barnes used to advertise 1600 for the LRX). They just don't have the legs to give me confidence in them.