Barnes Match Burners .308? Not finding much..

[Scouter19D]

So these are relatively new to the whole match bullet scene, and I read some preliminary stuff that look good. Now there's nothing to be found. Anyone done any experimenting with their 155's? Or 175's for that matter. Anything. Are they a viable replacement for SMK's or AMAX's? Or Scenars? Man that'd be cool... cheaper, quality bullets...

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: Barnes Match Burners .308? Not finding much..

I've shot a box of the 155's. I found a very accurate load using Benchmark (.3-.5). Shot some this morning using 46.0 of Varget, they shot pretty well. The bullets are very streamlined. I'm going to buy some more and try them at extended ranges.

 

[Scouter19D]

Re: Barnes Match Burners .308? Not finding much..

Man, these must not be popular at all.... stickin to the AMAX family i guess.

 

[Krav69]

Re: Barnes Match Burners .308? Not finding much..

Yeah, I'm in need of some information on these as well, especially in the 175 HPBT .308 category.

They, per the website, were released for sale after the first of the year, and have a really, really tempting price tag. Literally, they are weeks old in their release to the public. Sort of like a new born baby, I guess you could say, except more awesome, and without them turd filled diapers. But alas, I digress.

Anyone shoot these for score yet???

If not, hurry up!!!!!

 

[hamstur]

Re: Barnes Match Burners .308? Not finding much..

I bought a few boxes and have been testing with mixed results subbing for 175SMK. Here's a few notes from my initial testing:

They are over 0.11" longer than 175SMK and the ogive is closer to the base of the bullet. Think of the difference between 155 Palma vs 155 SMK. Likewise, their BC is rated higher.

Since the ogive is much closer to the base, loading to the lands requires a very long COAL. Using the Hornady Comparator on my Crusader, the required COL to the lands was a little longer than 2.950". I don't care to single load.

One of my lazy 175SMK load is 42.2gr IMR4064 at 2.810 COAL. I shot the 175 Barnes sub out to 700 yards yesterday. They were very squirrely beyond 500 yards. My buddy thought I was shooting AP cause my shots were cratering the steel. No pressure signs. Got home and here's what I verified -- 175SMK at 2.810 COAL starts to crunch for me in Lapua brass around 43.0gr. I loaded 42.2gr IMR4064 and started to seat a 175 Barnes til it started to crunch --> this happened right around 2.900 COAL.

Short story is I'm going to load develop from scratch with this bullet because they did not work as a direct sub for 175SMK.

If you're anal about loading off the lands, or want a direct 175SMK sub, I dont think these are for you. FWIW, the best plate shooting direct-subs I've tried so far were Sierra 180 SBT.