Your description of these two bullets is inconsistent to what i have observed. The Barnes has always seemed softer than the Federal every time i shoot them. The problem with both bullets is about the same i.e. they seem to plug up when traveling at slow speeds, and don't expand. At high speeds they both work wonderfully.

It would greatly surprise me that the Federal would 'blow up' on a bone, but the Barnes would not, if they both encountered the exact same condition. Well, i guess i need more convincing, but right this moment, i am dubious.

Me, i still consider them both good bullets. Perhaps further reports will sway my opinion, but it still seems the Federal is a tad stouter than the Barnes, from what i have seen. Not saying the difference is significant.













That bullet was found in frozen ground behind the paper. It certainly didn't fail.

Me, i have no dog in this discussion, but remain believing these are both good bullets, and still believe they would perform similarly in similar conditions. They both would do just about the same thing in the same conditions, according to what i have seen with my own eyes.

Keep the data coming.... the more information the better.