Experience with Barnes Match Burner

[DMW1116]

Anyone use Barnes Match Burners for 223/5.56? There are some available locally and I thought I’d try them, but I don’t know anyone else that uses them. These would be for target shooting out to 300 yards from a 16” and 20” barreled rifle. Maybe used for varmints too, but unlikely.

 

[DMW1116]

Looks like I’ll find out the hard way. I bought half the supply left on the shelf. I plan to pair them with TAC.

 

[IALoder]

I know it's not in .223/5.56 but the 140gr match burners were very accurate and consistent in my 6.5 creedmoor. I'm guessing they'll be good in your .223 as well!

 

[mcb]

I am using the 6mm 112 gr version of the Match Burner in my 6mm Creedmoor.


200 yard 5-shot group.

 

[DMW1116]

I have some solid copper 9mm bullets so I wanted to try some in a rifle. They were priced nicely for match bullets, though they were the 52 grain version. I’ve been doing a lot of load development for my 20” A4 so maybe I’ll do this one for the 16” scoped one. About half the loads are compatible with both so maybe these will be too.

 

[mcb]

I have some solid copper 9mm bullets so I wanted to try some in a rifle. They were priced nicely for match bullets, though they were the 52 grain version. I’ve been doing a lot of load development for my 20” A4 so maybe I’ll do this one for the 16” scoped one. About half the loads are compatible with both so maybe these will be too.

The Barnes Match Burner is a traditional copper cup and lead core bullet. One of just a hand full of lead core bullets Barnes makes.

 

[243winxb]

Clarus Corporation's (NASDAQ: CLAR) (“Clarus” and/or the “Company”) subsidiary Sierra Bullets, L.L.C., the Bulletsmiths®, a dedicated manufacturer of one of the highest-quality, most accurate bullets in the world, was selected to acquire certain assets relating to the Barnes Bullets brand ...Sep 28, 2020

The 6.5 140 gr match Burners do ok in Savage Axis Creedmoor. 1" @100 yds, more or less. More a gun problem. Thin whippy barrel.

 

[jmr40]

I bought a box of 100 of them in 140 gr for my 6.5CM. They were just as accurate at the 143gr Hornady ELD-X loads. I'd imagine 223 would be just as good.

 

[DMW1116]

Well that explains the price. I’ve been thinking of trying a lighter match bullet. This seems like the time.

 

[DMW1116]

So the Match Burners and TAC didn’t burn too brightly. The groups were ok but not any better than I’ve gotten with Hornady FMJ. Ok maybe a little better but not what I’m after for match bullet prices. I’m going to try one more powder and see what happens. I have CFE 223, H335, and a little IMR 4064. Any suggestions between those?

 

[dh1633pm]

I too use Match Burners at 140 Grain in my 6.5 CM. Worked great with AA2700.

 

[kmw1954]

So the Match Burners and TAC didn’t burn too brightly. The groups were ok but not any better than I’ve gotten with Hornady FMJ. Ok maybe a little better but not what I’m after for match bullet prices. I’m going to try one more powder and see what happens. I have CFE 223, H335, and a little IMR 4064. Any suggestions between those?

DMW, Sorry but I've just stumbles into this thread so a little late.
What weight are those that you are using? I have a box of 69gr .224" that I have not taken the time to try yet. These will be shot thru a 22" Savage bolt. Powder will be TAC and Benchmark. I also have some Sierra and Hornady 69gr and 68gr. to try.

 

[JFrank]

So the Match Burners and TAC didn’t burn too brightly. The groups were ok but not any better than I’ve gotten with Hornady FMJ. Ok maybe a little better but not what I’m after for match bullet prices. I’m going to try one more powder and see what happens. I have CFE 223, H335, and a little IMR 4064. Any suggestions between those?

How consistent are these bullets base to ogive ? Or do you measure and sort at all ?

 

[DMW1116]

I didn’t sort them and haven’t done so in the past. Is that helpful? Is that by weight?

These are 52 grain flat base bullets. The local Cabelas didn’t have any 69 grain Match Burners.

I’m not terribly picky and these shot better than any factory load I’ve tried in this rifle, with one odd exception. If I could get below 1” at 100 yards I’d leave them be.

 

[DMW1116]

My supply of IMR 4064 is fairly limited and my supply of CFE 223 may well be dedicated to a 77 grain SMK load the shoots really well in both 16” and 20” barrels. I’m going to give H335 a try as I currently have no dedicated loads for it with my current components. It propels 55 grain FMJ into just over 1 MOA groups with my 16” barrel, so hopefully it will do just as well with these. I’m going to retest TAC as well. I have 2 loads that are nearly there so hopefully if I split the difference they’ll tighten up some.

 

[papajoe222]

I've loaded 69gr Match Burners in the past with both 4320 (no longer in production), Varget, H4895 and H322. All performed well, under 1/2in. @100yrds. I'd rate them on par with Hornady 68gr, but well under Sierra MK's or TMK's

 

[DMW1116]

When I bought these the 52 grainers were the only ones available. There are regularly 69 grain versions at the LGS now. I may try them if the 52s won’t tighten up, though one of my rifles has a distinct distaste for that weight range.