Barnes XLC's

[hunter5325]

I found some 100gr .257 BT's cheap on clearance at Cabela's. I know they are not made anymore, but I've always wanted to try them and couldn't pass them up for $20 a box(50). I've heard they aren't as accurate as the TSX, but that they are just as devistating on game. I hope my T/C 26" bbl'd 25-06 likes these. At 3400fps(maybe) they would be devistating on mulies and speed goats. If anyone has any experience with the accuracy of the XLC's I would appreciate your findings. Also, was the velocity gain much more than the regular X's. Thanks, Brett

[Grumulkin]

I use these in my 7mm Remington Magnum in the 140 grain version which isn't made any more either.  I managed to get five or six hundred of them which hopefully will be a lifetime supply since they're quite accurate in my gun.  I've also seen an animal shot with a 340 Weatherby Magnum shooting one of these and at least in that version, it was devastating.  You can probably expect a 100 fps velocity gain using them.  The biggest advantage though is allegedly less the frequent barrel cleaning needed.

[Coyote Hunter]

Never fired a regular 'X" but have some experience with 160g XLC's in my 7mm Mag.

Velocity was great and typical accuracy was very good.  Three shot groups often resulted in 2 holes touching with a third less than an inch away.

The results on ctwo oyotes were devastating, and very different.  One was a runner and was hit in the back on a broadside shot and dropped instantly.  The XLC took out a section of the back, leaving a furrow the size of my wrist.  The second was hit with a broadside shot to the chest, also dropping instantly.  On this one I never did find either an entrance or an exit wound, and no blood. 

One buck antelope fell to the XLC's at 297 yards.  The first went through the chest and lungs, causing the buck to lower its head and cough up blood.  After several minutes I put a second shot though the lungs.  This one caused the buck to lay down, but it kept it's head up as if sunning itself.  Frustrated, I worked my way around the hill and and got in position to shoot it again from the other side, at a range of 100 yards.  The buck struggled to its feet and started to walk off.  A third shot took out th etop of its heart and put it down for good.  When cleaning the animal the first two wound tracks showed little sign of expansion.  It is possible they failed to open and went through like an FMJ, or perhaps they lost their petals and left only a caliber-diameter slug to pass through.  I favor the first scenario.

As a result, I gave up on XLC's for hunting purposes, although I later bought some with a cannelure that MidWay had on special (returns from some ammo manufacturer, I believe).  The TSX interests me and it has given me excellent velocity and even better accuracy than the XLC's.  As yet I have not taken any game with one, however, even thouhg I loads them for the .257 Roberts, 7mm Mag, .308 Win and .300 Win Mag.  The newer MRX also interests me but I have only loaded it for the .300 Win Mag and accuracy has not been as good as the TSX.  Like the TSX, I have not taken any game with the MRX.