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Mike H

Just got a Barnes newsletter, and they have a sale on for 300 gr 44 mag bullets. Wondering how these would do at sub sonic velocities?

s10goes10s · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:56 pm Post subject:

I doubt they would open, they are made to work SUPERsonic
Though they are made of copper they are super hard

s10goes10s · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 12:00 am Post subject:

One example, I shot a pig with a 45/70 & wanted to keep the bullet for display with the skull.
Well it still had pig parts under the petals, i tried to staighten them out with needle nose pliers, I bent my pliers

David K · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 12:30 am Post subject:

they might work, just like any of the 44 Mag bullets, usually shoot a few hundred feet faster than subsonice, but at 300gr probably would work for subsonic use....maybe email barnes and ask them what the expansion velocity is

Burt · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 1:06 am Post subject:

Hornady XTP Expansion Chart:

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Ban guns to eliminate crime ?
Let's ban cars, to eliminate drunk driving.
Makes as much sense.

Randy Tausch · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 1:50 am Post subject:

Looks like the graff has proven my arguement for the 44 cal. 300 gr. XTP.
Randy
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Mike H · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 1:52 am Post subject: post subject

Thanks, Burt, that Hornady chart sure seems to back up Randy's experience with their 300 gr. I have an email in to Barnes, hope to hear from them fairly soon. My thinking is like David's, the .44 mag at full load doesn't go much over 1400 fps with a 240 gr, so it's not like you are dropping a bullet made to work at 3000 fps + down to sub sonic.

Ron Brown · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 3:59 am Post subject:

I appreciate Burt posting that graph. I hope to make use of it as I have a lot of different caliber rifles I load.

Ron
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Voting should require respiration.

Burt · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 8:34 am Post subject:

You're welcome guys.
_________________
Ban guns to eliminate crime ?
Let's ban cars, to eliminate drunk driving.
Makes as much sense.

David K · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 3:38 pm Post subject:

nice chart Burt...

Mike H · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 2:09 pm Post subject: post subject

Here is the reply I got from Barnes:

Mike
The 300 gr. Barnes Busters will not expand very much at any velocity and certainly not at the sub-sonic speeds. They are very much like a full metal jacket, designed for maximum penetration. With that being said, during testing we shot a 600 lb hog breaking both legs and killing him almost instantly from a 44 mag. These bullets are designed for large, tough, and dangerous game giving great penetration while busting through bone and heavy muscle. So while expansion may be very limited they may be something to try.

Thanks,

Ryan Farr | Consumer Services
Barnes Bullets, LLC

I am assuming the 600 pound hog was of the domestic variety.

Ron Brown · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:28 am Post subject: Re: post subject

Mike H · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:31 am Post subject: post subject

Not sure. I think there are some in Congress who appear that large on camera.

FrankT · Texasboars Legends Club Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 1754

yeah Mike but TV adds 10-15 lbs...

hamourkiller · RESPECTED MEMBER Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 223

Mike H · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 1:56 pm Post subject: post subject

Yes, I think cast bullets would be a very viable alternative. I will probably have to try some, at least , for more complete data on how various 300 gr bullets perform at sub sonic velocities. I sighted in my .44 mag "carbine" a few days ago, with 300 gr Nosler JHP, Sierra JHSP, and Barnes all copper "Busters". I started at 25 yards, as I do on most rifles to "get them on paper", but most of my hog shooting is at 25 - 75 yards, and the sub sonic .44 mag will NOT be a long range load. As I was aiming through a Gen I N/V scope in bright sunlight, shooting from one of my stands to duplicate hinting conditions, I was pleasantly surprised at the results, even considering the short range. My .44 mag is a 14" Contender barrel with a 12" suppressor that overlaps the barrel a few inches. for a total length of 20" - but still only 14" of rifling. All 3 bullets performed well enough at that range to shoot hogs, although the Sierra came in last. The big Barnes shot right to point of aim, put three shots in the target touching each other - two in virtually the same hole. This bullet is definitely not going to expand at sub sonic velocities, as it is not designed to expand at ANY velocity. It should, however, penetrate very well, and make a .429" hole without expanding. I am still working on my "recipe" for sub sonic, trying to optimize velocity and still stay sub sonic - but I think the Barnes will be my "go-to" bullet for hogs with this rig. I have found since I retired from my "day job" a few years ago, I somehow still don't have enough hours in a day to do all the things I REALLY want to do, so right now casting my own bullets will have to wait until I get caught up on some other things.