I was perusing Barnes website and found several bullets I’d like to try. One is the 77 grain 0.224” and another is the 155 grain 0.308”. I’ve been using the 52 grain version in my 20” A4 clone for a while and it seems like a good shooting bullet. Has anyone used the others?
Barnes Match Burners
- Thread starter DMW1116
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kmw1954
Member
Last fall while searching for a bullet to use in a short range bench league I shoot using a 223 in a 1:9 twist Savage I had it narrowed down to the Sierra Match King 69gr and the Match Burner 69gr.. I went with the SMK only because I couldn't find enough Barnes to get me thru what I needed. Though this year I will be using the Barnes in the same league.
In many ways I’m looking to replace the Sierras. They’ve priced themselves out of my reach. The 52 grain MB shoot well from both my rifles but the loads are tuned for the 20” version. I’d like a replacement for the 77 grain SMK, since they are the same price as what I paid for my first box of 168 grain Amax bullets. The Barnes Match Burners in 175 grain could replace the 175 grain SMK in my 308. I switched to Speer for 168 grain HPBT but haven’t found a replacement for the 175 grain version.
I’m really searching for the cheapest cartridge:accuracy I can find. The lighter BMB (Barnes Match Burners) are fairly inexpensive, though when these are gone I’ll probably try the Hornady 53 grain flat base HPBT.
Have you tried any of the lighter 223 bullets? Is your league limited to 100 yards or do they stretch out so the heavier bullets are necessary? Did you try the RMR 69 grain bullets? At 100 yards, they are neck and neck with the 52 grain BMB.
I had good results from the Speer 168 grain 308 match bullets. If the Barnes are only slightly better, they’d equal the SMKs. The Speer bullets are the classic 90% of the performance for 60% of the cost. The Barnes 155 and 175 grain bullets would be 99% for 75% of the cost if they’d outshoot the Speers.
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OS/N
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- Nov 2, 2023
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The 69smk come in a 100ea box and are a little cheaper than the 77s.
The only time I see an advantage to the 77s is when a good cross wind exist. They group the same other wise in my 8 twist bolt gun.
The 68 HM seem to do better in my self loader than the smks at 2.26. The smks seem to do better with a longer OAL that can be used in the bolt action.
The only time I see an advantage to the 77s is when a good cross wind exist. They group the same other wise in my 8 twist bolt gun.
The 68 HM seem to do better in my self loader than the smks at 2.26. The smks seem to do better with a longer OAL that can be used in the bolt action.
kmw1954
Member
I have shot the 69gr MRM and they did very well in my other Savage. This one does not like them one bit. Also tried the 69gr Nosler and the 68 gr Hornady. Prestently working on the 60gr. Hornady VMAX which also is showing great promise.
Our league shoot 100,200,300 yards.
Our league shoot 100,200,300 yards.
