Barnes 130 grain 30 caliber X bullets..Your thoughts?

[lgm270]

Anyone have any experiences, impressions, etc., about the 130 grain Barnes X bullet in the 30-06, 308 or any other .30 caliber rifle? 

Would love to hear from you.

[Zachary]

The lightest X-bullet I have used in a .30-06 was 150 grain, which was more than adequate for whitetails.  I have never used a 130 grain x-bullet in .30 caliber.  X-bullets are strong - very strong, so, although it is "light for caliber" - you can consider it similar to about a 150 conventional bullet.  Still, for whatever reason, I would rather use a 150 X as the lightest.  What is your intended purpose for a 130 x?

Zachary

[Redhawk1]

Like Zachary the lightest I have used in any 30 caliber is 150 gr.  I have had great success with the 150 gr. Barnes X bullets.

[jro45]

I have shot the 130gr bullet in 30 caliber not barnes tho. Mine were Hornady. They go more FPS. In my 30/06
they were going about 3200 FPS.

[acearch72]

I have a Lazzeroni 308 Patriot.  He used to have a load in this caliber with the 130 gr X bullets.  I tried a box and did not like them.  They quite short and I felt that they would easily tumble.  I shot 1 deer with them and lost it in a rainstorm, but it did run from a 100yd side shot.  I retired them at that point. 

I have used the 150gr TSX very succesfully in the same gun.  I would not go less than 150gr in the 308 caliber.

[nomosendero]

The lightest X-bullet I have used in a .30-06 was 150 grain, which was more than adequate for whitetails.  I have never used a 130 grain x-bullet in .30 caliber.  X-bullets are strong - very strong, so, although it is "light for caliber" - you can consider it similar to about a 150 conventional bullet.  Still, for whatever reason, I would rather use a 150 X as the lightest.  What is your intended purpose for a 130 x?

Zachary

Agreed! I can see why someone may want to use it in a small case/barrel like a 15" 30-30 handgun (except for J.D.'s warning), but for a medium to large 30 cal. case, I don't see it. With a 1-10 twist or even a 1-12, it is not likely to be as accurate. The 130 will fly a little flatter at normal ranges,
but if you can plot one, you can the other. At any distance in the wind, give me a 165 or more any day.

[sgtt]

I tried them in my Sako and couldn't get a decent group.

[wareagleguy]

Tried in both a 06 and a 270.  Just would not group.  For what it is worth, after reloading for over 20 years I have found the first bullet I go to is Sierra.  Those high dollar bullets  offer no advantage.   A standard soft nose bullet will group better and kill just as dead.  My 2 cents.

[Redhawk1]

Tried in both a 06 and a 270.  Just would not group.  For what it is worth, after reloading for over 20 years I have found the first bullet I go to is Sierra.  Those high dollar bullets  offer no advantage.   A standard soft nose bullet will group better and kill just as dead.  My 2 cents.

Did you use Barnes load data and did you use the proper seating depth recommended by Barnes?

I shoot Barnes X and TSX in my 243, 30-06, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag 375 H&H and my 416 Rigby. All with great groups. 1 inch groups are normal for me in my guns with the Barnes bullets.  You are right though, dead is dead. The advantage Barnes offer is penetration without weight loss. 

[grousehunter]

I do'nt know guys, but I used 90 gr. hornady's in my 270 for yrs, till they quit building factory loads! and have used 125 gr. 30-06 remington also and still do, have never/ever lost a whitetail yet! if you make sure your 1st shot counts, it's all said and done! personally I would'nt shot a heavier cartridge unless I was going North or West for larger game!