I was always told not to believe anything that I read and only half of what I see. However, there is both some good and bad reviews here for Barnes bullets. The thing is, try a few different kinds of bullets. For long range I would stick with a match grade BT. I don't believe any two rifles will shoot the same using the same loads, at least I haven't seen it.
I use the Barnes XBT 140gr in my 7MM Rem Mag. It will shoot in the area of 1/2"-3/4" 3 shot groups at 100yds but I started with Speer, Hornady and Sierra bullets. It just worked out that my rifle liked the Barnes better, for whatever reason. By the way, it's not a factory built rifle. As far as bullet performance, I have been using the load on Whitetail deer for 9 yrs now. I haven't had any go more than 50 yds and that was my fault for a poorly placed shot. I shoot for the lungs. Let someone knock the wind out of your sails and see how far you run. Most of my deer have fell in their tracks, incuding the 8 pt 130 class I shot this year. The bullet left an exit hole about 2" dia, it took out both lungs, and a rib on the far side. By the way I'm from Oklahoma, we don't grow too many monsters around here.
Remember, you can't kill it if you can't hit it. Nothing makes a hunter feel better than absolute confidence in his/her weapon and loads. As far as the price, I use them to hunt with, not bang up at tin cans. Good luck.
