elkcampmaster.... after reading your 1st post a few times it seems to me that you have answered your own questions.

Copper being less dense lead.... ie, the 400 grain Hornady(lead core) being about the same length as the pure copper 325gr X. A given wieght bullet one of copper and the other of lead..........the lead core bullet will always be shorter due to it' s heavier density. Case in point, if you have a 400 gr Barnes X spitzer compare it to the Hornady 400 gr RNSP or the 400 gr FMJ, you will see that the Barnes is about an 1/2 inch longer....again, this is due to the copper' s lighter density.

To achieve a high ballistic coefficient the bullet has to be... as you said ...aerodynamicly shaped, this is where the X bullets usaully shine. But as a general rule the lighter weight bullets will have a smaller BC and naturally the heavier bullets a higher BC. That said, some people get caught up with using a lighter weight bullet because they can be driven faster, but when the ranges get to be long, the slower, heavier bullet with the higher BC will overtake the lighter one with velocity and retained energy. Using the Barnes X bullets though allow you to drop a given bullet weight and still get the same if not better results as using a lead core bullet.

The X bullets do have a reputation for penetration, this is due to being all copper, which the X bullet will retain its original weight well ie ...no lead to shed and typically will have a small frontal expansion diameter, they do not expand nearly as big as a lead (bonded or not ) bullet. When you as this up, that' s what give you the deep penetration the Barnes are known for. In my experinces with them , yes to do work but dont have the shock/kill effect and a regular bullet.

In my 416 Ribgy, I like the 400 grain Hornady RNSP for anything I want to take in NA. They are very accurate in my gun, below should be a picture. When I hunt Africa, I think I will try the heavier contructed Swift, Nosler or Barnes bullet.

Yes, the factory ammo does cost a little more . When reloading for it, you will find that it' s a pretty easy cartridge to load for. Once you find a load/powder it likes try buying either 5-8 lbs kegs of powder. Loads using over a 100 grains eat up a pound of powder in a hurry.



stay in the gun.............AA

if the picture doesnt appear, look at the " HD hanger to accurize a #1 Ruger" post on this forum