168 Gr. Barnes XLC Bullet test

Ian M · #1 08-30-2002, 10:04 AM

Have been working up hunting loads for this relatively new bullet and getting the best accuracy to date from any Barnes bullet I have shot. Standard Deviations running in the single digits, as low as 4 and 6.

Accuracy in a Rock barreled .308 Win. is very close to what we get with 168 Matchkings, J-4's etc. Near capacity load of Varget, Win. case and primers - shooting some very nice groups for a hunting bullet. Actually got over 2940 fps with one load, seems to shoot best at about 2770 tho. This is with a 26 inch barrel.

Intend to hunt with this load for mulies.

Ceejack2 · #2 09-08-2002, 09:47 PM

Can you tell me more about this load

Ian M · #3 09-08-2002, 10:05 PM

45.5 Varget, BHA brass, Win. primers - shoots really good.
Going to compare it with the new Black Hills GOLD ammo, it also has the 168 Barnes loaded, should be interesting.

Brent · #4 11-16-2002, 12:42 PM

I just bought a box for the Ultra and the 308 win. The 308 never shot the 165 XLC under 1.5" so we'll see how these do. Thanks for the info. Wish I had some loaded for today at the range.

Dave King · #5 11-16-2002, 11:55 PM

Ian

Thanks for the tip on the Barnes 168 XLC bullets, they're great! I got the package last evening and tried them this morning (raining and windy but I need a load for canada).

I loaded with 44 - 45 grains of Varget and shot at 100 yards.

I believe I'll stop using the 168 and 175 MatchKings for game and shoot the Barnes 168 XLC from now on. There dosen't appear to be any loss of accuracy from my 308 using the Barnes (Who wuda thunk a Barnes could do that?).

I have 2 groups and I'll post pictures (I placed the Dime after the shoot to give some size to the picture).

http://www.the-king-family.com/UserP...rnes168XLC.jpg

Brent · #6 11-17-2002, 02:30 AM

Well, I couldn't resist loading some 168 XLC's to take with me for the 300 Ultra. I loaded them with RL25 from 94.5gr to 99.0gr in .5gr increments at 3.660 OAL. They were the last ones fired and the Oehler stopped reading at 4:30 when the fog and dusk teamed up on it, damn.

I did determine that the first five rounds from 94.5 to 96.5 shot about two inches at 200yds then at 97 things went to the right two inches and all were under an inch with the last five rounds, that's a huge bonus, the speed has got to be way up there.

Thanks guys, I'm really glad I tried them today also.

Pressure was measured with the Oehler 43 and held 57-58k psi all the way through the first five rounds. 6-10 were 60,63,61,63k and 65k psi respectively.

Temp was +31F today and still no snow yet.

Luke Mason · #7 11-18-2002, 02:08 AM

Brent,
I recently spoke with the Barnes people about the reported accuracy variances from different users. After listening, it appears that their bullets require a greater freebore than most. While most users are attempting to come within: slightly contacting - .005 (or slightly greater), their bullets seem to like .030 - .070 of freebore. They explained that the differences in material used require that bullet to be longer in profile, and that during testing the groups tightened up only after they increased the gap. Perhaps experimenting with this will bring your groups down in size. I would be curious to know what your seating depth is with your current results. Good luck.[LIST]