barnes expander-mz muzzleloader bullets/sabots

[kyhareraiser]

just wonderin' if anyone has ever used these bullets to take game with? i use 165 grain 30,cal's in my 308win and 30-06 and have had great results with them,anywhere fron 50 ytards to 300 yards ..i'm gonna try these 245 grain 50cal bullets at targets and see how the accuracy is at 100 yd in my t/c endeavor..i know the 30 cal's on all the deer i've taken with them were pass through's,,and just wonderin' if the ml bullets would be pass through shots too..i put in for an elk hunt this year and if i get drawn ,i'd like to try these barnes 50 cal bullets ...what do y'all think....reckon' they will do the job

[Masterblaster1]

After having a bad experience in the early doe season with hornady sst in my dad's .45 cal inline we went to barnes 195 grain mz for normal blackpowder season.  He shot a doe at 35 yards in heavy cover. He hit a little far back, taking out the diaprahgm with a broadside through and through shot.  The deer stumbled 10 yards and fell over dead. Bullet performance was awesome to say the least. Exit hole was about the size of a quarter, with no sign of the bullet coming apart.  You will be happy with the barnes mz, a little expensive, but well worth it in my opinion.

[ricktile66]

I used them for years and they shot great and dropped deer in their tracks.  Only problem was that I had to beat them down the barrel.  Switched to TC superglide shockwaves three years ago and haven't regretted it for a moment.

[Lawful Larry]

I have used the Barnes Expander in my .54 cal. Hawkens Carbine.  My carbine has a 1 in 24" twist and these saboted bullets act like they were made especially for this gun. 



The first time I used it I dropped a large doe in her tracks.  The wound cavity was unbelieveable.  The bullet acts like a buzz saw and is very effective.  I would recommend it to anyone. 

[equinoxbuilders]

Larry,

That is a really nice looking Renegade.
I have one just like it, but 40+ years old. 1/48 twist.
Has taken many 7 and 8 pointers.
There is a special place in my heart for those carbines...
A new one of those, may be in my future.  Mine is quite banged up now.
What exact powder/bullet combo do you use?

EQ

[Lawful Larry]

Larry,

That is a really nice looking Renegade.
I have one just like it, but 40+ years old. 1/48 twist.
Has taken many 7 and 8 pointers.
There is a special place in my heart for those carbines...
A new one of those, may be in my future.  Mine is quite banged up now.
What exact powder/bullet combo do you use?

EQ

As far as load goes I am using straight BP, Goex FFg.  I am using a 300 gr. Barnes Expander sabot and getting great results.  My barrel has a 1 in 48" twist and it loves them sabots.  I also shoot a R.E.A.L bullet.  I think it is a 340 gr size.  I use it mostly for practise. 

[hunt-m-up]

They are an excellent bullet, complete pass thrus on shoulder shots. I really liked them in .50 cal over 110 grns of T7. I say "liked" because just like ricktile said they load hard and I've switched to 300grn Shockwave superglides. I mean "load hard" as in bring a hammer if you have to load the 2nd shot down a dirty barrel in the field. I understand bores differ, but it makes for hard sighting-in unless you do a full-out deep cleaning after every shot. If they were easier to load, I'd still be using them.

[Thebear_78]

I shot a large cow moose with a barnes 250gr Expander with two 777 mag pellets out of my encore 209x50.  Accuracy is excellent and I got full penetration at 70 yards.  Entered at the point of the shoulder and exited out the far ribs.  I doubt you would find any part of a whitetail as hard as a large moose shoulder.  I'd estimate live wieght on this moose was pushing a thousand pounds