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PRB’s Load Data: My Complete Reloading Data for Target Shooting & Hunting

These are all of my pet loads. They were what I found to be the most precise in my rifles after extensive and tedious load development. I may tweak the loads slightly as the throat of a barrel erodes, but I don’t typically vary too far from what is shown here. In fact, this is the page that I personally reference when I need to remember the details of one of my loads.

You should always reference a quality reloading manual and start with the minimum recommended loads, and work your way up. Just because these have proven safe in my rifles doesn’t mean they will be in yours. Chamber dimensions, brass specs, barrel grooves, and diameter can vary, so it’s very important to follow safety precautions. Failure to follow safe loading practices could result in severe personal injury (including death) or gun damage to the user or bystanders. Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information based upon the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do not detail the comprehensive training, procedures, techniques, and safety precautions that are absolutely necessary to properly carry on similar activity. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training requirements, procedures, techniques, and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. Be alert – the publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.

6mm Dasher Load Data

This is the load that I started using in PRS matches in 2023. It’s a relatively mild load compared to what many of the pro shooters are running in their 6 Dashers (see their 6 Dasher load data).

  • Bullet: Hornady 110 gr. A-Tip
  • Powder: 31.5 gr. Hodgdon Varget
  • Primer: CCI #450
  • Case: Alpha Munitions 6 Dasher SRP OCD Brass
  • COAL: 1.850″ from the base of the case to the ogive of the bullet (2.475″ from base to tip)
  • Neck Tension: 0.003″
  • Muzzle Velocity: 2,820 fps from 24″ barrel

6.5 PRC Load Data

Hunting Load & NRL Hunter Match Ammo Load

In 2023, I built a lightweight hunting rifle chambered in 6.5 PRC. I built it with Lapua brass and the Berger 156 gr. EOL Elite Hunter bullet in mind, which I thought could do double-duty as hunting ammo and in NRL Hunter matches. Here is the load data I landed on for my primary ammo out of that rifle:

  • Bullet: Berger 156 gr. EOL Elite Hunter (Litz G7 BC = 0.334)
  • Powder: 59.0 gr. Hodgdon H1000 (Compressed load)
  • Primer: CCI BR-2 Large Rifle
  • Case: Lapua
  •  COAL: 2.209” base to ogive (2.910” base to tip so it feeds from a magazine)
  • Neck Tension: 0.003″
  • Muzzle Velocity: 2,920 fps from 24″ Bartlein carbon fiber barrel (this was after 100 rounds on a new barrel, but I’d expect this may speed up a little more over the next 50 rounds)
  • Minimum Velocity for Reliable Expansion: 2,000 fps (gets me out to 775 yards in my rifle)

I measured 11 shots over a LabRadar the day I finalized this load, and it had just a 5.3 fps SD! That is great for any ammo, but a 10-shot string with a single-digit SD out of a magnum rifle is pretty incredible. I weighed powders to the kernel (0.02 grains) and ran the cases through a neck mandrel for consistent neck tension – but the truth is that tiny SD is mostly a result of the extremely high-quality Lapua brass. That is why Lapua is still considered to be the gold standard in terms of match-quality brass. Lapua makes you look really good at reloading, which reality is that brass is super-consistent.

6.5 PRC Load Data with Berger 156 EOL bullet

Reduced Recoil 6.5 PRC Hunting Load (Creedmoor-Like Speeds)

I took this rifle on an African hunting safari with my whole family, and I have two daughters (12 and 14 years old at that time) that I developed some reduced recoil ammo for. I built this rifle light enough that they could carry it really easily. For this load, I aimed to replicate 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics and recoil. That would allow us to use the same rifle: I could use the full-power 156 gr EOL ammo, and they could use this reduced recoil ammo (instead of taking a separate 6.5 Creedmoor rifle). So I picked a lighter bullet and backed off the powder charge weight that the 6.5 PRC is capable of. The Hornady Reloading Manual, 11th Edition, says the 6.5 PRC can run a 130 gr. bullet at safe pressures up to 3200 fps, and this is just at 2845. That is still around the minimum load they show in the reloading manual for the 6.5 PRC and a 130 gr. bullet. In that same manual, they have 2850-2900 as the max load for the 6.5 Creedmoor using 130 gr. bullets, which means the recoil would be more similar to a 6.5 Creedmoor than a 6.5 PRC. It still has plenty of stopping power inside of 400 yards without making them develop a flinch from excessive recoil. Here is that reduced recoil load I worked up:

  • Bullet: Berger 130 gr. Tactical AR Hybrid (Litz G7 BC = 0.277)
  • Powder: 54.0 gr. Hodgdon H1000
  • Primer: CCI BR-2 Large Rifle
  • Case: Lapua
  •  COAL: 2.263” base to ogive (2.885” base to tip)
  • Neck Tension: 0.003″ (loaded round neck diameter is 0.293″, so before the bullet is seated, it measures 0.290″)
  • Muzzle Velocity: 2,845 fps from 24″ Bartlein carbon fiber barrel (this was after 100 rounds on a new barrel, but I’d expect this may speed up a little more over the next 50 rounds)

6mm Creedmoor Load Data

I’ve started using the Hornady 110 gr. A-Tip bullets recently, and here is the load I currently use for my match handloads:

  • Bullet: Hornady 110 gr. A-Tip
  • Powder: 42.2 gr. Hodgdon H4350
  • Primer: CCI BR-4
  • Case: Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor necked down to 6mm (neck trimmed)
  • CBTO: 2.1660″ from the base of the case to the ogive of the bullet
  • Neck Tension: 0.003″
  • Muzzle Velocity: 3,135 fps from 26″ barrel

I used the 115 DTAC’s from my 6mm Creedmoor for a couple of years in matches, and they are great performers. Here is the primary load I ran. I might tweak it slightly from one barrel to another, but it was never too far from this load.

  • Bullet: Superior Shooting DTAC 115gr RBT Pointed (Bare/Naked/Uncoated)
  • Powder: 47.1gr Hodgdon H1000
  • Primer: CCI BR-4
  • Case: Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor necked down to 6mm (neck trimmed)
  • CBTO: 2.3120″ from the base of the case to the ogive of the bullet (barely kissing lands, but doesn’t leave a mark if you extract the bullet)
  • Redding Neck Bushing Size: 0.268″
  • Muzzle Velocity: 3,025 fps from 25″ barrel

I also developed a load for the same bullets that were coated with Boron Nitride because one time, when I needed to order more bullets, that is all Tubb had in stock. When they are coated, they create completely different pressures, so the optimal powder charge would be different, too – hence the two loads. Since I went to the trouble of doing load development on it, I thought I’d share that data too.

  • Bullet: Superior Shooting DTAC 115gr RBT Pointed (Coated with Boron Nitride)
  • Powder: 47.4gr Hodgdon H1000
  • Primer: CCI BR-4
  • Case: Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor necked down to 6mm (neck trimmed)
  • CBTO: 2.3120″ from the base of the case to the ogive of the bullet (barely kissing lands, but doesn’t leave a mark if you extract the bullet)
  • Redding Neck Bushing Size: 0.268″
  • Muzzle Velocity: 3,012 fps from 25″ barrel

Both of my daughters have used my 6mm Creedmoor to take their first whitetail buck and have also shot feral hogs and coyotes with it. They were 8 years old at the time, so I handloaded some low recoil rounds for it with a hunting bullet. Here is that load:

  • Bullet: Hornady 103gr ELD-X (G7 BC on box: 0.258)
  • Powder: 39.0gr Hodgdon H4350
  • Primer: CCI BR-2
  • Case: Hornady
  • CBTO: 2.239″ base to ogive (COAL: 2.800″ base to tip)
  • Redding Neck Bushing Size: 0.268″
  • Muzzle Velocity: 2890 fps with 25″ barrel + TBAC Ultra-7 Suppressor

300 Norma Magnum Load Data

This is my current load for extended long-range matches. The 230 gr. A-Tip has a very high BC compared to other bullets and is extremely consistent shot-to-shot. I have recorded 36 consecutive shots with this load, and it had a standard deviation of just 5.5 fps and an extreme spread of 22 fps … which is ridiculously good for that large of a sample size. I’ve actually never seen someone else record something close to that with a sample size over 20 consecutive shots. That was even with brand-new, never-fired Lapua brass.

LabRadar Reading for 5.5 SD Ammo Over 36 Shots

  • Bullet: Hornady 230 gr. A-Tip (trued G7 BC = 0.404)
  • Powder: 84.5 gr. of Hodgdon H1000
  • Primer: Federal 215M
  • Case: Lapua 300 Norma Mag Brass
  • Neck Tension: 0.003″ (using K&M Precision neck expander mandrel)
  • CBTO: 2.808″ Base to Ogive (for a 0.100″ bullet jump, COAL: 3.671″)
  • Muzzle Velocity: 2945 fps (from 27″ barrel)

This is the load I used to shoot for extended long-range matches before I tried the 230 gr. A-Tip. It’s a great load with good ballistics and slightly less recoil.

  • Bullet: Berger 215gr Hybrid Target
  • Powder: 86.0gr Hodgdon H1000
  • Primer: CCI 250
  • Case: Norma Brass
  • CBTO: 2.870″ Base to Ogive (COAL: 3.617″ average base to tip)
  • Headspace To Bump Shoulder To: 2.075″ (what the shoulder should be at when I full-length resize)
  • Muzzle Velocity: 3055 fps (from 26″ barrel)

I also made up a load with the heavier 230gr bullets, but I don’t use this near as often as the 215gr bullet. There seem to be a few scenarios where this offers better ballistics, but there are a couple applications.

  • Bullet: Berger 230gr OTM Hybrid
  • Powder: 82.0gr Hodgdon H1000
  • Primer: Federal 215M
  • Case: Lapua
  • CBTO: 2.870″ base to ogive (COAL: 3.630″ base to tip)

375 CheyTac Load Data

This is the load I use for Extreme Long Range competitions from my Desert Tech HTI with a standard 375 CheyTac chamber:

  • Bullet: Lehigh Defense 353gr ELR Solid Bullet
  • Powder: 123.0gr Hodgdon Retumbo
  • Primer: Federal  Premium GM215M Gold Medal Large Rifle Magnum Match Primer
  • Case: Peterson brass
  • CBTO: 3.7095″ Base to Ogive (COAL: 4.6055″ average base to tip)
  • Muzzle Velocity: 2965 fps (from 29″ factory barrel)

6.5 Creedmoor Load Data

This is the load that I usually shoot in PRS-style matches when I’m using my 6.5 Creedmoor rifle. Lots of guys use a 140gr bullet, but I like the 130gr Hybrid because it is a little flatter shooting which helps when you might have range uncertainty. The wind drift is very similar at the distances of most targets in these kinds of matches. But 140gr bullets are still an excellent choice as well.

  • Bullet: Berger 130gr Match AR Hybrid OTM Tactical
  • Powder: 43.0gr Hodgdon H4350
  • Primer: CCI BR-2 Large Rifle Primer
  • Case: Norma brass
  • CBTO: 2.131″ Base to Ogive (COAL: 2.86″ average base to tip)
  • Redding Neck Bushing Size: 0.288″ (determines neck tension on bullet)
  • Muzzle Velocity: 2797 fps (from 22″ barrel)

338 Lapua Mag Load Data

This is my ultra-long-range match load. I’ve found it has extremely low standard deviation (SD) in muzzle velocity, usually landing anywhere from 3 fps to 6 fps over a 10-shot string. For shots out to 1 mile and beyond, a very low SD (at least below 10 fps) becomes critical.

  • Bullet: Berger 300gr Match Hybrid OTM Tactical
  • Powder: 90.0gr Hodgdon H1000
  • Primer: CCI 250 Large Rifle Magnum Primer
  • Case: Lapua brass
  • CBTO: 3.030″ Base to Ogive (COAL: 3.86″ average base to tip)
  • Headspace To Bump Shoulder To: 2.288″ (what the shoulder should be when full-length resized, measured with Whidden comparator)
  • Redding Neck Bushing Size: 0.365″ (determines neck tension on bullet)
  • Muzzle Velocity: 2757 fps (from 26″ barrel)

I also created a hunting load for a 338 Lapua Mag using the Hornady 285gr ELD-M bullet. Nathan over at Terminal Ballistics Research really liked the performance he got with this bullet, and I noticed the guys at Gunwerks have switched over to this bullet in their high-end loaded hunting ammo. I did the load development for this using a Sako TRG-42 in 338 Lapua. It had the original 27″ 1:10 twist barrel. I tried a wide range of powder charges, but once again … this is what I found to give me the lowest standard deviation in muzzle velocity. I measured it to be as low as 3.2 fps over a 10-shot string (measured with LabRadar), which is world-class consistency. It also grouped at just under 0.5 MOA with a 5-shot group at 100 yards. I tested this out to 1 mile using a Kestrel with the Applied Ballistics Custom Drag Curves … and it was dead on all the way out!

  • Bullet: Hornady 285gr ELD Match (BC = 0.400 G7, 0.796 G1)
  • Powder: 87.5gr Hodgdon H1000
  • Primer: CCI 250 Large Rifle Magnum Primer
  • Case: Lapua brass
  • COAL: 3.691″ Base to Tip (fits inside Sako and AICS magazines)
  • Redding Neck Bushing Size: 0.365″ (determines neck tension on bullet)
  • Muzzle Velocity: 2700 fps (from 27″ barrel)

7mm Rem Mag Load Data

Photo of The AuthorThis is the load I used for both long-range target shooting competitions, as well as hunting (whitetail, mule deer, feral hogs). It is super-accurate, and I’ve shot it out to 1 mile on multiple occasions. At the same time, I’ve taken a 300 lb wild boar with it (see photo … the “small” one on the right weighed right at 200 lbs), with devastating terminal ballistics. I use a “Large Rifle” primer instead of the recommended “Large Magnum Rifle” primer to lower my SD (i.e., standard deviation of my muzzle velocity). After 1,000+ rounds, I’ve still yet to have an ignition problem with Federal 210M primers in my 7mm Rem Mag. However, when I experimented with CCI BR-2 primers, right at 25% of those loaded rounds were either slow-fires or misfires. If you are hunting in extremely cold weather (below freezing), you may be better off going with a magnum primer to ensure proper ignition.

  • Bullet: Berger 168gr VLD Hunting
  • Powder: 69.8gr Hodgdon Retumbo
  • Primer: CCI 250 Large Rifle Magnum Primer
  • Case: Norma brass (neck trimmed to 0.012″, case trimmed to 2.491″)
  • CBTO: 2.810″ Base to Ogive (COAL: 3.46″ average base to tip)
  • Redding Neck Bushing Size: 0.307″ (determines neck tension on bullet)
  • Muzzle Velocity: 3,037 fps from 25″ barrel with TBAC Ultra-9 Suppressor, 3027 fps from 25″ barrel with muzzle brake

I started using the Hornady 180-grain ELD-M bullet for hunting after reading Nathan Foster’s first-hand research and analysis regarding the killing performance of that bullet. That was published in his book, Long Range Hunting Cartridges. Lots of great info in that book! I’ve used it to take a massive 440 class elk, and the results did not disappoint! Here is my 180 ELDM load:

  • Bullet: Hornady 180gr ELD-M (Litz G7 BC = 0.360)
  • Powder: 68.0 gr. Hodgdon Retumbo
  • Primer: CCI 250 Large Rifle Magnum Primer
  • Case: ADG standard brass
  • COAL: 2.735″ base to ogive (3.474″ base to tip)
  • Neck Tension: 0.003″
  • Muzzle Velocity: 2,896 fps from 24″ Gunwerks carbon fiber barrel with APA Little B* muzzle brake (SD of 14 fps)
  • Min Velocity for Reliable Expansion: 1,800 fps (gets me out to 1,025 yards in my rifle)

Close-Range, Heavy-Bone 7mm Rem Mag Load Data

I worked up the load below when I went on an African Safari Hunt in 2023. 85% of the rounds I took for my 7mm Rem Mag were the Hornady 180 gr. ELD-M load above, but if you ever shot something point blank … I was concerned that an impact velocity near 2900 fps would result in poor penetration and potentially a wounded animal if it was a larger, heavy-boned animal. Sometimes bullets that expand rapidly, even at lower velocities, may struggle at point-blank ranges when fired from a magnum rifle. So I loaded a few rounds of this heavy, solid copper Triple Shock bullet, which features 90-100% weight retention and (Barnes claims) 28% deeper penetration than lead-core bullets. I don’t love hunting with solid copper bullets (I’ve had a few bad experiences), but there is a specific application for them, and this seemed to fit. I don’t plan to use this bullet to take shots on animals beyond 200 yards.

  • Bullet: Barnes 175 gr. TSX FB (Litz G1 BC = 0.405, the G1 BC varies less than the 0.208 G7 BC)
  • Powder: 64.0 gr. Hodgdon H1000
  • Primer: CCI 250 Large Rifle Magnum Primer
  • Case: ADG standard brass
  • COAL: 2.768″ base to ogive (3.305″ base to tip)
  • Neck Tension: 0.003″
  • Muzzle Velocity: 2,720 fps from 24″ Gunwerks carbon fiber barrel with APA Little B* muzzle brake
  • Min Velocity for Reliable Expansion: 2,000 fps (This bullet is not aerodynamic at all, and it’s slowed to 2,000 fps by 390 yards. But this load was only intended for shots from point-blank range to 200 yards.)

6XC Load Data

This is the load that I usually shoot in PRS-style matches when I’m using a 6mm rifle.

  • Bullet: Berger 105gr Match Hybrid
  • Powder: 39.3gr Hodgdon H4350 (previous barrel had 39.8gr as the sweet spot)
  • Primer: CCI BR-2 Large Rifle Primer
  • Case: Norma brass (neck trimmed to 0.0125″, case trimmed to 1.900″)
  • CBTO: 2.169″ Base to Ogive (COAL: 2.71″ average base to tip)
  • Muzzle Velocity: 3010 fps (from 24″ barrel)

223 Remington Load Data (Target & Varmint Hunting)

I tried around 20 different bullets out of this gun and a few different powders as well. I’ve also talked to several other reloaders that did the same thing, and every single one of them landed on this Hornady 55gr V-Max. For one reason or another, it is just a really accurate bullet out of just about any rifle. I shoot it out of my Rock River AR-15 20″ Varmint, but I know guys who use it out of their bolt actions as well, with stunning results. I primarily use this for coyote hunting and have confirmed kills past 300 yards, but I’ve also hit steel targets out as far as 840 yards with it. I was able to find several bullets/loads that grouped around 1/2″ at 100 yards, but this one got down as low as 1/4″ with an average group being just over 1/3″ out of my rifle.

  • Bullet: Hornady 55gr V-Max
  • Powder: 26.4gr Hodgdon Varget
  • Primer: CCI BR-4 Small Rifle Benchrest
  • Case: Lapua brass (neck trimmed to 0.012″, case trimmed to 1.751″)
  • COAL: 2.250″ base to tip
  • Muzzle Velocity: 3,056 fps (from 20″ barrel)

270 Winchester Load Data (Varmint Hunting)

This bullet is EXPLOSIVE! I shot one very small coyote in the neck, which had full expansion before it exited. Even though the neck was probably only 3-4″ thick … you could stick your fist in the exit cavity. It is the most explosive round I’ve ever seen, and the blazing 3,500 fps muzzle velocity probably has a lot to do with it. I know one other guy who did independent load development on multiple bullets and powders and come to find out, he also landed on the Sierra 90gr Varminter HP over IMR powder. Even the powder charge he was loading was just a couple grains off what my rifle liked. I would not use this bullet on heavy-skinned game like wild boar … I’ve tried it, and it took more than a couple shots to take one down.

  • Bullet: Sierra 90gr Varminter HP
  • Powder: 59.2gr IMR 4350
  • Primer: CCI 200
  • Case: Federal
  • COAL: 3.212″ base to tip
  • Muzzle Velocity: ~3500 fps

270 Winchester Load Data (Big Game Hunting)

Because this is an all-copper bullet, it packs a lot more punch than the 130gr weight would indicate. It probably is more equal to most 150gr bullets. The Barnes TSX gives world-class penetration, even through bone. The newer “Tipped Triple Shock (TTSX)” bullet adds a polymer tip instead of a hollow point design, which slightly lowers the BC (i.e., makes it more aerodynamic), and also helps start the expansion process more quickly when it comes in contact with the target. Although these bullets do get great penetration, they may over-penetrate on thin-skinned game. With these bullets, I typically aim for a joint like the front shoulder, and the bone fragments created by a hit there, combined with the deep bullet penetration, usually means the blood trail is very short.

  • Bullet: Barnes 130gr Tipped TSX
  • Powder: 54.5gr Hodgdon H4350
  • Primer: CCI 200
  • Case: Federal
  • COAL: 3.425″ base to tip
  • Muzzle Velocity: ~3000 fps

About Cal

Cal Zant is the shooter/author behind PrecisionRifleBlog.com. Cal is a life-long learner, and loves to help others get into this sport he's so passionate about. His engineering background, unique data-driven approach, and ability to present technical and complex information in a unbiased and straight-forward fashion has quickly caught the attention of the industry. For more info on Cal, check out PrecisionRifleBlog.com/About.

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10 comments

  1. Hi

    what is the average 168 VLD bullet BORE diameter?[0.222?] of 7mm rem mag? 180 vld if you can.

    • Well, the bullet diameter for a 7mm is 0.284 inches. That is also the groove diameter of the barrel (ie the low points in the rifling). 7mm actually refers to the bore diameter, not the groove diameter … Well, at least roughly. The bore diameter of most 7mm barrels is 0.277 inches, but some are 0.276 inches. If you simply convert 7mm to inches, you get 0.2756 inches. The bore diameter is the diameter between the lands (ie high points in the rifling).

      Clear as mud?! This can be confusing, but I hope this answers your question.

      • cal,

        this question got triggered by your chamber print info. kinda understood groove vs bore diameter of barrel. I was planning to buy bartlien 7mm barrel. & I wanted to know if there was a difference between the bore or width of regular 7mm bullets vs vld bullets in order to determine which barrel to buy.

        Kind of optimize groove/bore diameter to vld bullet bore diameter in selecting barrel. I read that barrels are too wide on factory rifles & maybe custom barrels may or may not follow this principle. So like buying steak w/ more fat vs less, wanted to know if you saw a optimal vld width/bore which i could use to select barrel. Understand that tight fits result in higher pressures & I dont plan to handload, so it might help to what you did or found. thx.

        niqqy

      • I measured the diameter of several long-range 7mm bullets for you. These are at least what I had on the shelf. Here are the measurements I found:

        • Berger 180gr Hybrid = 0.284″ avg diameter
        • Berger 180gr VLD = 0.284″ avg diameter
        • Berger 168gr VLD = 0.284″ avg diameter
        • Hornady 162gr A-MAX = 0.284″ avg diameter
        • Nosler 168gr AccuBond Long-Range (LR) = 0.2835″ avg diameter (… interesting)

        I actually don’t even know why I kept measuring after the first several were all exactly 0.284 inches … but the last one I measured was the Nosler AccuBond Long-Range (LR) and it averaged right around 0.2835. I thought my calipers must have lost their zero, so I went back and measured several of each one … and the same results. Don’t know if it has any measurable effect on ballistics, but its interesting. Hope this helps.

  2. cal,

    finally got it & thank you very much.for the email pinging.

    so the bullet width of vld/long range=groove diameter ie perfect fit. Now reading your chamber print section, the part where the throat angle was changed from 3 degree to 1 minus 30degree is the key difference to customizing the chamber to the VLD shape.

    so as long the barrels are groove diameter of .284, the vld will fit. But if i dont handload, i might need to stay at 2-3 degree angle to not “overload” the chamber. I feel smart. If i am right about this, i thank you for me getting there after reading about what you had done on your custom build. The chamber print stuff is definitely not written about in a clear & concise manner in blogs or sniper hide.

    ps: so for late reply. can you write/do pix about your hog hunts? I cant hunt hogs in toronto; so i envy you.

    • It sounds like you’re spot on to me. Yeah, and I’m with on forums and other websites not being clear & concise … that’s exactly what motivated me to start this. I still have yet to make a dime off of it, but long range shooting is a passion of mine and I’m just hoping to help other shooters get into it. There is still a lot that I don’t understand, but as I learn I just try to organize the info in a way that is easy for other people to understand and hopefully help someone coming behind me. So glad to hear it helped!

      I really haven’t written much about the hog hunts. I might someday. They are a blast! Hunting dangerous game is certainly a thrill. I’ve definitely seen more than a couple hogs that didn’t run away from a human … when they get to the point where they substantially outweigh you, they start running at you!

      • cal,

        read a bunch of books by wayne van wzoll on long range[like the way he writes]. but he never talked about this. I dont think i would have found this out but glad that i did. i just like learning stuff for my own sake.

        hey you dont have to write about hog hunts. just take pix of you going there & I/we will fill in the blanks.

        I really enjoy watching hog bowhunts in australia. dont know why but the video & light just looks amazing & hogs look tasty.

  3. Most people don’t realize what the Barnes X bullet and it’s imitators have done for us. In the old days my .300WM shooting 180gr conventional bullets with an approx 65% weight retention yielded 117gr for penetration to vital organs or the off side shoulder [ 180 x .65 = 117 ]. Monolithic bullets like your .270 130gr “TSX” retain 95+% [ 130 x .95 = 123.5 ] So we get at least a calibre up in terminal ballistics, higher MV & better trajectory ( external ballistics ) ( higher BC ) AND LESS RECOIL . This allowed me to take a cape buffalo at 142 paces with a 160 “X” out of my 7×57…DRT! Even though I load VLDs for LRH…I carry a Barnes X up-the-snout walking in and coming out in case I get a short range shot. Inside 100 yards they print Minute of Meat with the same zero.
    “You have come a long way pilgrim”

    • Yep, those bullets are pretty amazing. What I don’t understand is why doesn’t Barnes come out with bullets with stupid-high BC’s? It seems like you’d be able to pull off designs with solid bullets that would be difficult or impossible with traditional bullets. I know Cutting Edge lathe-turns some solid bullets that have crazy high BC’s, but I’m not sure how they perform in terms of terminal ballistics … and I’ve witnessed what the Barnes are capable of.

      I had a friend who was literally a billionaire, and he went on all kinds of exotic hunts. But that didn’t mean they carried him to the animal in an air-conditioned golf cart. Some of the hunts he went on were brutal. They’d hike for a week in steep, ankle-breaking terrain in ice-cold winds … and then the moment would come. After a multi-day stalk, he’d finally be in the position for 1 shot. He told me to think about that moment. How much had you spent in money and effort to get in that position? Did you really want to cut corners on your bullet at that point? Sure, Barnes are a little more expensive … but they ALWAYS perform. He told me he did that exact hunt I described one time and reached for a Nosler Ballistic Tip, and it hit the front shoulder of the ram and split. The largest chunk of the bullet went straight into the ground where the ram stood … and a smaller piece entered into the animal. They recovered the piece of bullet that was lodged into the rocks where the animal stood … but never found the animal. That’s a sad story, but a good lesson. Unfortunately, I lost a great whitetail buck I knocked down at 100 yards with that same bullet. I can make that shot … even with buck fever. He went down immediately. After a few minutes, I started walking out to him … and he ran away, never to be seen again. There was a pool of blood, but it wasn’t a lot. Barnes bullets have yet to let me down. Actually Berger bullets haven’t either.

      Thanks,
      Cal