Getting the right Barnes bullet fit
 

I'm very much a Barnes fan so I decided to post some of the diameter of several Barnes bullet/sabot dimensions. This will be helpful for people who are trying to find the right fit for their Muzzleloader barrel.

Barnes MZ
1) MZ (0.451" Flat Base)
HPH-12 =0.5040"
Harvester EZ high press = 0.5030"
Orange =0.5015"
Harvester Crushed Rib =0.5005"

Barnes TMZ (0.451" Boat tail)
Yellow (supplied) =0.5055"
Harvestor Yellow Crushed (for BT)=0.5030"

Barnes T-EZ (0.450" Flat Base)
Blue (supplied) =0.5005"
HPH-12 =0.5035"
Harvestor Crushed Rib =0.5000"

Barnes 285 spit fire
Blue (supplied) =0.5005"

PT GOLD 0.451" Flat Base
HPH-12 =0.5040"
Harvestor EZ High Pressure =0.5030"
Harvestor Crushed Rib =0.5010"

I'm having a hell of a time stuffing the tmz's down my omega, do I have to go with the harvester yellow (for the boat tail) or can I use the harvester black's? Does the .0055'' make that much of a difference? Am I way off and you can't actually switch a flat base and a boat tail sabo? The local target shop has the black crushed rib sabos in stock otherwise i'll order up I guess.

Aren't all .50 cal. barrels the same? Not being a smart***, I appreciate ya posting info, I just don't understand how to use it. If ya could break it down Barney style to me so I can use it to better my shooting I'd be grateful.

You would think that in todays world machining tolerances would be to the point where this wouldn't occur, but i guess not. There sure seems to be a difference from barrel to barrel even when from the same manufacturer. Maybe it happens in centerfire rifles as well we just don't have to stuff the bullets down the barrel? Anyone else have some insight??

to the top

All machine tools wear with use. For example, with a rifling machine, either cut or button, the first barrels have deeper rifling that those produced near the end of the tool's life because the tool has worn to a smaller diameter. It may be very slight, but it's there.