Also excellent penetration and shoot thru, which are also important. Take pictures, if you have a brisket shot, they are the torture test, usuallya bullet like a Nosler or Barnes will shoot thru the entire length of a deer and be on the off side under the hide. Then youreally get a look at expansion.
Best Wishes onyour hunt, sounds fun, and comes at about 6 months before next deer season. Will have to look into that myself.
Chap

Oh, about 1/year we have to go thru the "bullet perfomance" discussions and folks are pretty tied into the decision they made, so when someone says the xxxxxx bullet is yyyyy, that doesn't square with their experience and theory and they push back real hard. Powerbelts, ShockWaves, XTPsand now Leigh seem to push those buttons. I think Sabotloader said it very well:

PLEASE It is getting way to personal - lets just let this drop... and move on to something else. There are way to many good things to talk about

His words remind me of Proverbs 25:11

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

There is a lot of good things (and good people) to talk about on this forum.
Best Wishes,
Chap

Right on the money Chap. Although not a brisket shot but a high on the shoulder/neck area shot I found this Barnes Expander MZ as I was washing out the body cavity after field dressing, back by the off side rear leg. I might not switch to the Lehighs from the Barnes.....I really would like to get a hold of some Speer Gold Dots. I'm after the best bullet that shoots best for me.

Rock Fish, I have visited so many sites looking at information on Muzzleloader hunting it's not even funny. Believe me when I say this, HNI Muzzleloader forum is about the best I have found for guys sharing information and helping each other out. I've learned so much just from this site and the members who contribute......they know who they are. It's a fun site, just weed through the BS sometimes.

sjs, How was the blood trail with only one hole?

It is going to be hard to beat that bullet, if it is accurate in your gun. That is one beautiful muchroom. Like Dr. Phil says "How is the Barnes MZ workin' for ya", well since there is 0 wieght loss and about the same price as Lehigh, and they do perfect mushrooms, and kill very well, then you would have no reason to switch.

I just bought 3 packs of 18 of the 300g Barnes MZ, on Knight's site for $14/pack:

http://www.knightrifles.com/productdetail.aspx?id=326469

Last year, Traditions had packages of 18 of the MZs for Sale for $12 about this time of year. I bought 3 packages. So if you shop now, you can get good deals.

I don't think you can beat Barnes MZ under 170 yards, but they gotta be accurate in your gun. They shoot well in my Knight and my Omega, and not so well in my Savage. However in my Savage the .458 Barnes TSX Flat Nose, 45/70 shoots excellent with a CR sabot, so I will shoot that bullet in the Savage and the MZ in the other inline guns (they are only $18 for 20 bullets at MidSouth). I have also found in my guns that the Gold dots don't do so well pushed hard, not sure why, but they don't. 70 or 80g of Goex works great for a 300g Gold Dot in my Flintlock. So each gun has it's own personality and what bullets and sabot it likes. There are some good bullet choices out there now, and that is great for the hunter.
Chap

I am betting DRT or <= 20 yards. Chap

The 300grn MZ expander is a fine bullet. When you start talking bullets and cost, a 300grn XTP can do anything that bullet can and maybe better.

Grouse45

Boy howdy! i would have to disagree with that statement a bunch! Although wait what is the 300 gr. MZ Expander? Is it a jacketed bullet or all copper? I am not a barnes fans and they have so many different models....

Here is some fine examples of 300 grain Hornadys and exactly why i do not use them...
They can come apart even at ML speeds - I do not like that.... Don't use them don't shoot anymore..

WOW! You must be out of your mind if you actually believe that...