I've been using 250g barnes expanders for 4 years. Performance is great. My load is 3 pyrodex pellets--it kicks, but its tough on the critters. Expansion is quick--the inside of deer or antelope demonstrate this. I can't speak to retained bullet weight because even out to 240 yards or so, I've never recovered a bullet. My only beef is they are hard to load, which has yet to be a problem. I think those same tight tolerances are why they shoot so well! You can't go wrong with this bullet, particularly if you are shooting magnum loads.