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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Is it heavy enough?
#36960 - 06/09/05 08:49 AM

I have a bunch of 270 grain Barnes XLC's loaded up for my .375 Ackley. They're moving along at a little over 2800 fps, and are very, very accurate. Would you consider them acceptable to use on Cape Buffalo?

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500grains
.416 member

Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA

Re: Is it heavy enough? [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#36968 - 06/09/05 10:53 AM

Nope!

The velocity is too fast, which will accelerate expansion, and on a TSX probably blow the petals off which means you lose bullet weight, and thus have reduced penetration.

Cut the velocity to 2400 or 2450 and they will work a lot better.

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Scott
.275 member

Reged: 11/01/05
Posts: 89
Loc: Florida, USA

Re: Is it heavy enough? [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#37020 - 07/09/05 02:38 PM

I say try it. You could always bring some 300 gr bullets also to compare with. Even if the petals break off, that will not significantly reduce the weight of the bullet, merely reduce the frontal area to the same size as a solid.

I recovered one of my Barnes 235 XLC from an impala shot at 15 yards while shooting through a mopane tree top. (FYI - I was dispatching a wounded impala) This load was chronographed at 2900 fps. The nose expanded but lost the petals resulting in only a 10 gr weight loss.

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475Guy
.400 member

Reged: 22/08/03
Posts: 1088
Loc: Kali, US

Re: Is it heavy enough? [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#37031 - 08/09/05 12:31 AM

Oh, I don't know, have you tried the loads at some test media for bullet integrity? Like most, I prefer the 300 grainer and am wondering if the bullet will hold up under those velocities you've posted. Of course, I'm assuming that you've got a solid load for that follow up shot if needed. I'm surprised that you haven't tried some Northforks for you toy. Anyways, if you're satisfied with bullet performance and since you like the Barnes, go for it.

--------------------
Lo do they call to me,
They bid me take my place among
them in the Halls of Valhalla,
Where the brave may live forever.

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SafariHunt
.333 member

Reged: 02/01/03
Posts: 468
Loc: Pretoria RSA

Re: Is it heavy enough? [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#37050 - 08/09/05 06:25 PM

I fully agree with 500 grains too fast except for the petals that might break off you could get the bullet to implode and not open up and when hitting a heavy bone you have more chance of bullet deflecting as well.

Had a client with a 300 Ultra mag and 180 gr barnes X which did just that folded in and didn't open up. But that was at 3200 fps.

--------------------
"Sleeping under the African sky I can see nothing wrong with this world!"

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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Re: Is it heavy enough? [Re: 500grains]
#37074 - 09/09/05 09:21 AM

Thanks everyone for your input. The only reason I was even considering them was because in their reloading manual, they have the Cape Buffalo icon which indicates that they feel they can be used for them. In this case, however, I shall defer to the experience of our learned forum members, instead of some P.R. hype.

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500grains
.416 member

Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA

Re: Is it heavy enough? [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#37078 - 09/09/05 12:24 PM

Mike, to clarify my comments, I do not object to a 270 grain .375 copper bullet per se. A 300 grain copper bullet could be unstable unless your rifle has a quick enough twist due to the excessive length of Barnes bullets.

My objection therefore is to the excessive velocity only. Personally I would be tempted to hunt with the 270 gr. Barnes X at 2450 fps instead of the 300 grain Barnes at the same velocity due to stability issues, unless you can verify that your 375 Ackley has a 1:10" twist. In that even the 300 grain Barnes should be stable.

However, an even better solution is the North Fork bullet.

www.northforkbullets.com

Frankly I do not know why people mess with Barnes. Even the new ones still crap up a barrel quickly.

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