Barnes 7mm XLC

[GSaltzman]

I am thinking of trying some of the XLC's in my . 280 Remington. I have cleaned the bore with some CR-10 until I get no discoloration on the patches so I feel I've got a clean bore to start with. My question is: Should I drop to a 120 grain X if I've been using a 140 grain conventional bullit. I have heard some people say you can with the Barnes because of the solid construction and the gain in velocity. If a drop is the best I will use the new X bullit since they don't have the 120 in the XLC. Any experiance? Should I stick with the 140's? Thanks!

 

[gonehuntingagain]

I wouldn't drop to the lower weight bullet. The 140 should have a better ballistic coefficient (they fly better) and will hit harder at longer ranges. Load some up with various loads and see how they group. The Barnes Bullets are longer than normal bullets since they are all copper, your rifle may not like them if your barrel twist rate doesn't spin them fast enough. You may look into the Nosler Accubond bullets. They shoot really well and hold together very well.

 

[justinp20012500]

I have had great luck with the bonded bullets. Mostly the Swift Sirrocco. I am going to try some of those new Accubonds, they might just do the trick.

I am using them mostly in my 300 Rem Ultra Mag.

Gonehunting is right about the heavier bullet having better balistics.

Most of the time the hottest load is the most accurate.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Most of the time the hottest load is the most accurate.

Personally, I've never found that to be the case. I've worked up hand loads for all of my guns and in no case was the hottest load the most accurate.

 

[RonA]

280 , 280 improved, and 284. My notes show I had best luck with 4350. Best accuracy was with 140 gr flat base Sierra on 280 and improved. 284 liked 120 gr. but had 1 in 11 twist brl. Others had 1 in 10.

 

[justinp20012500]

Personally, I've never found that to be the case. I've worked up hand loads for all of my guns and in no case was the hottest load the most accurate.

Open up a Nosler reloading bible, take a looke at almost any of there "max loads" and you will see and asteric* that denotes that is the most accurate load they tested.