I have an do shoot the Lehigh from both length barrels and I have to tell you only because I know which rifle I am shooting I really see no difference in the different lengths and results. Also I have not had the Mountaineer long enough or shot it enough to get it actoss a chrono. That will happen probably in January, but again I expect very little difference.

I can not offer a comparison with the Barnes because I do not shoot them at all. Tried at one time but could not get away from the Nosler Partition which I much preferred. I can tell you in a comparison between a Lehigh and Nosler - I do prefer the Lehigh, even with the big open HP it flys flatter and is darn accurate. Although I do not think accuracy is a problem with any of the three, Barnes-Nosler, or Lehigh. On the other hand I do believe there is a difference in Terminal performance, in the three, over a larger range of ranges and velocities.

So not much help with the comparison of Barnes-Lehigh

Just a side note.... Lehigh/Bloodline makes a .458-275 grain bullet that I believe is an exceptional bullet for just plain an all-around bullet - elk-black bear-Continental US moose-deer of all species.