Barnes Tac_XP bullets

[raljr1]

Was in a local shop the other day looking for some components. I like to buy from local shops when I can, but he didn't have much stock. He offered me a small discount in two boxes if these. At $1.00 per bullet after tax, I probably should have passed, but I now have 80 of these.

I guess they are great for self defense loads. What is the general opinion on these? The Barnes website does not list loads for these, so I am assuming that SJHP loads would be fine..i was going ro load them in 357, but instead, maybe 38s since thats seems to be the intended use according to the website.

Or maybe I just sell them to someone who wants the..

Opinions appreciated.

Robert

 

[IAM Rand]

Okay, I think I am missing something. You got them for a $1 per box or $1 off per box? I have used Barnes for hunting and for my 460 mag. I like their stuff. Should be good. They don't have load data specifically for those but, they do have for 125gr bullets. Should be about the same.

Optics Planet has them for $53 per box.

 

[Nevada Ed]

If the box has been opened,

can we see the tip of the bullet, to see what the design is?

They make quality bullets.
They will work some where.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Many of Barns' bullets are unique in their bearing surface to weight ratio. (That means the have the drag of heavier bullet for the weight.) If you call their customer Service department, they will tell or send you loading data.

Ivan

 

[rockquarry]

Many of Barns' bullets are unique in their bearing surface to weight ratio. (That means the have the drag of heavier bullet for the weight.) If you call their customer Service department, they will tell or send you loading data.

Ivan

I've never seen any advantage to using a jacketed bullet over a well-fitted cast bullet of the proper alloy for the load in any handgun chambering, but some like jacketed bullets and they'll work almost as well as the cast and might be as accurate.

The information about Barnes supplying load data is good advice, if they still do that. I used to use a lot of their copper rifle bullets. I called Barnes a number of times some years ago. They had a lot of data available that was not published in their manuals or online. Very helpful people to deal with.

 

[raljr1]

If the box has been opened,

can we see the tip of the bullet, to see what the design is?

They make quality bullets.
They will work some where.

Here ya go

Robert

 

[raljr1]

Okay, I think I am missing something. You got them for a $1 per box or $1 off per box? I have used Barnes for hunting and for my 460 mag. I like their stuff. Should be good. They don't have load data specifically for those but, they do have for 125gr bullets. Should be about the same.

Optics Planet has them for $53 per box.

$35 plus tax for a box of 40

Robert

 

[Model19man]

$35 plus tax for a box of 40

Robert

That's quite a lot of cash for 125 grain 357 hollow points. I typically buy bags of Winchester 125 grain JHP's. What you paid for a box of 40 is about what I pay for a bag of 200. I am not seeing the value.

 

[Model19man]

Here is a similar bullet for $0.24 each:
38 Caliber .357 Diameter 125 Grain XTP With Cannelure 100 Count by Hornady

 

[Rpg]

I've used barns copper bullets in high velocity rifles.

They work okay on game but they take up too much case space resulting in inadvertently compressed loads and poor accuracy.

I can't imagine why anyone would want to use all copper projectiles. What possible benefit could there be?

Unless you're in a jurisdiction that won't allow lead projectiles, no need for these things.

 

[rockquarry]

I've used barns copper bullets in high velocity rifles.

They work okay on game but they take up too much case space resulting in inadvertently compressed loads and poor accuracy.

I can't imagine why anyone would want to use all copper projectiles. What possible benefit could there be?

Unless you're in a jurisdiction that won't allow lead projectiles, no need for these things.

It's sounds as if you haven't used them a lot and may have done less than adequate load development.

I've used these for hunting in calibers .277", .284", and .308. Cartridges have been the .270 Winchester, 7x61 Sharpe & Hart Magnum, and the .308 Winchester. The .308 with the 150 grain TTSX BT and H4895 powder may be a compressed load, but I'd have to check to be sure. Compressed loads hurt nothing and poor accuracy can seldom be attributed to a compressed load; at least, I've never seen it. However, if you don't like compressed loads, use a different powder.

I've tried the other monometal bullets and the Barnes are the easiest to develop an accurate load for. Accuracy is very dependent on overall cartridge length, but usually, experimenting with three different OALs is all that's necessary in finding the most accurate load.

I can't get a 1/2" or 3/4" group every time, but I've fired enough small groups in a Cooper .270 and two NULAs, a 7x61 and a .308, that I know these bullets are very accurate. The NULA 7x61 is on its third barrel as I sometimes get carried away with load development.

I've only shot elk with these bullets, perhaps no more than eight or ten bulls. They've always worked. Recovered bullets (three, I think) look like something from an ad with no petal or weight loss, perfectly mushroomed. Almost never will these bullets come apart like a standard jacketed bullet with a lead core will - a tremendous advantage for a hunting bullet used on big game.

Terminal performance on elk has been identical to a Partition, another bullet I like, but I seldom get the accuracy with a Partition that I get with a Barnes.

Give the Barnes a fair and adequate workout; you'll like them.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The state of Calif. requires all copper bullets for their hunting loads

to protect the Condors and what ever else that law bill stated, that passes, Congress, years back.

 

[IAM Rand]

I have worked up loads for my 7mm Mag and 300 WM with Barnes bullets and both are sub MOA at 100. If you are not getting good accuracy with their bullets then you are doing something wrong. Because copper is lighter than lead the bullets do have to be longer but, that has not hurt my accuracy. I am also using them in my newer 270 win. My dad and I have used them since they first started making them and they have taken many animals over the years.

Just sayin

 

[rockquarry]

I have worked up loads for my 7mm Mag and 300 WM with Barnes bullets and both are sub MOA at 100. If you are not getting good accuracy with their bullets then you are doing something wrong. Because copper is lighter than lead the bullets do have to be longer but, that has not hurt my accuracy. I am also using them in my newer 270 win. My dad and I have used them since they first started making them and they have taken many animals over the years.

Just sayin

There may be rifles that won't shoot them well for reason or reasons unknown to me, but I think such guns would be quite rare.

The only drawback I'm aware of with these bullets is that they need velocity to expand. I'm not a long range shooter and the longest shot I've made on elk with these was about 375 yards or a little more using a 130 grain TSX BT in a .270. Worked fine.

 

[raljr1]

I thought I'd load them in 38 for Self Defense, but talking with the factory they said that they don't have a load for 38s because they don't test below 900 FPS. Apparently, these don't expand as much as expected at the lower velocities. The loads they list for 357 are showing starting load velocities of between 1459 and 1740 fps frm a 10" barrel. I have decided not to load them right now since I have only a few empty 357s.

The discussion about the rifle bullets and the price didn't help me any, but I appreciate the input.

 

[IAM Rand]

Depends on the 38 revolver you would be shooting them through. I think you could safely load to 1000+/-. Check out Lyman's reloading manual and some others to see if they have a 125gr in 38. As long as you have a good revolver, I don't see why you can't have a load around 1000 fps.

 

[raljr1]

Depends on the 38 revolver you would be shooting them through. I think you could safely load to 1000+/-. Check out Lyman's reloading manual and some others to see if they have a 125gr in 38. As long as you have a good revolver, I don't see why you can't have a load around 1000 fps.

That's a thought, maybe load them at +P levels and use one of my Model 19s

 

[Paul in Nevada]

I have a few boxes of these myself but I have not loaded any yet. Being HP and solid copper they are long for their weight. I wanted the 140gr XPB's but my store didn't have them. The Tac-XP are for defense, the XPB are for hunting. Like Ed said CA mandates lead free ammo for hunting.


Here is the 38sp +P data
and
Here is the 357mag data

I have used Barnes TSX and TTSX for years in 30-'06. I have also played with Hornady GMX, CMX, Nosler E-Tip, etc. Fact is, you have to maintain relatively high velocity for them to expand. I am sure these TAC-XP are the same. I am going to switch to LRX on the '06 this year because it has a very high BC so it should retain velocity further. I have no idea what kind of velocity is needed for the pistol bullets. They probably don't expand at all.

 

[raljr1]

I I have no idea what kind of velocity is needed for the pistol bullets. They probably don't expand at all.

Here is what they supply from their site. The 38 date is for 100 grain bullets, not the 125s.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

Here is what they supply from their site. The 38 date is for 100 grain bullets, not the 125s.

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