You pick
 

Barnes mz expander or gold dot? I don't shoot over 100 yds, mainly 30 to 60. I use 777 pellets but plan on using BH209 next year.

barnes expander without a doubt.

I my book a premium priced all copper Barnes will most always have better terminal balistics than a Gold Dot/Deep Curl, especially at the longer ranges.

The only concern I have with a Barnes are very close shots.

The Deep Curl will perform 10 to 100 yards and beyond but will not give the same performance that a Barnes will on marginally good shots.

And that is just an opinion.

That's what I'm thinking. The 300's?

Price VS performance the gold dot wins. i agree with sabotloader the only knock on the barnes is that occasionally they fail to open on shorter range shots. the GD/DC will on those type of shots and the terminal performance is real close.

Serioulsy at the ranges you are talking about you would probably get better service out of a 250/260 grain bullet.

If you were shooting over 150 yards - then I would definitely go 300.

I really appreciate all help guys. Don't know why I have the bigger is better mentality. Once again thanks alot.

Barnes 458SOCOM 300gr and as much powder as you can tolerate. :D

Expander MZs for average loads and ranges. Never had one fail with a non "magnum" load. Spitfire 285gr MZs are just the opposite, they must be driven hard or they can pencil.

GM what exactly is a socom? not familiar with it thanks.

I'd gold dot; no need to pay a premium price

isn't the socom one of the large caliber round alternatives in the AR?


I am cheap, I would go with the gold dots.

They look like this


I used them in my 54 this year with 120gr BH209. They are designed for a 458SOCOM M4/M16 "upper" and roughly 1900fps. About $42 for 50 and yes it is over priced but they shot great with a max load. Knocked the snot out of 2 deer this year also.

A 50-300gr GD/DC would probably have done just as well at under 150 yards for half the cost. I like my Barnes but GoldDots/DeepCurls are extremely predictable and consistent on impact.

Interesting bullet and i also like my barnes lol and i also like my GD's/DC's for the same reason and the cost factor also lol. i would think the 300 gr DC/GD would be a good 200 yd bullet with it's high BC and the extra energy it carries at that yardage.i ask since i will trying the 300 gr soon,longer shots are common here where i hunt.

builder459

That bullet was my "toy" i played with this year. It shot so well with a max load i had to try it in the field. The little 54 carbine actually out shot my Extreme 50 with the same bullet.

The 45-300gr DC/GD should work great over a wide range too. I prefer to push them just a little hard...110gr roughly depending on groups.

Well since I had trouble with getting the Barns to open at close range and high velocity I have been using Gold Dot or Deep Curl 250 gr as they are now call I use 110 in one gun and 115 in an other of Blackhorn. Hit just about the heat all the deer I have shot with them have dropped on the spot of course part of the reason for that is where they are hit. There Is no bullet that will turn a poor hit into a good one.
For bigger animals I would use the 300 gr or a Lehigh bullet in the 275 gr and up range but the 250 Deep Curl is a very nice balance to deer and Boar. I normally have a very nice exit hole so I really don't know what more you could ask of a bullet.

so Lee have you hot the .250 gr gold dot at deer out to 200 yds with good results and accuracy?or is it your feeling the 300 is better..thanks Ray

Yes i figured the 300 gr would have to be pushed to stableize
it, sabotloader and now you have confirmed that. thanks Ray

gold dot
 

Gold dots for the $$$.
They are good bullets if your gun likes em.

builder459

Accuracy is a big part of it but IMO you wont be able to push the 300gr too hard. It will perform predictably no matter how hard you push it in a ML.

The 250gr with its huge deep hollow point might not do as well with heavy charges if the range is really close. Thats a BIG might since i have never confirmed my theory. I prefer the 250gr with around 80-100gr if there is a big chance of a really close shots. If it is more likely you will be shooting a bit further (100-150yards), either should perform very well. Past 150 yards i almost always go with a heavier bullet.

I just prefer to keep a bullet close to its designed velocity at impact.

Its only my opinion that the 300gr will get the job done at any reasonable distance with the heavier charges. More recoil IMO would be the only negative. Another reason i like the 300gr is, you can buy an even cheaper Uni-Cor 300gr soft point for practice.

GM i agree with you on every point,exception being the .250 at cloer range's with over 100 gr charge.according to LEE he's taken shots from 30 out to if i remember correctly 175-200? and it worked flawlessly.i am totally with you on the 300 and it's additional energy out further and it's better BC.the little bit of extra recoil with the 300 doesn't bother me at all.how much cheaper are the uni's lol?

Ray

I think the UniCor SPs were about $17-18 locally and the 300gr GD/DCs were about $21 or less. They are listed as .451s though so they might load easier.