Another article that confirms the Barnes, and mentions the Ranier.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/best_muzzleloading_bullet.htm

The PT gold is a hardened lead bullet.it mentions the hardness in actual numbers somewhere in one of the articles or there site. i would not be afraid to use the .300 gr PT at all and for some may be a good choice from a economic stand point.. Ray

It could be that's part of the problem. When they put the copper coating on the lead. It could be making the lead brittle.

Ever see a pure lead conical or round ball explode?

All i know is, i was simply blown away to see how flat they shot, even in 260 grains. I really want to try the 200's at a later time and take them out to 200 yards. Push them with a nice 120gr BH209 out of the V2 and it should plan a muley on its butt.

Yes, a 385gr Hornady great plains with 90gr shot into a 100lb shoulder of a doe. Bullet was split in half and my brother had to finish her off with a sidearm for me.

I went back the powerbelts the next year.

I have used PT Golds for a few years. Of about 11 deer I have had to track only one more than 60 yards. The rest were respectful kills with very short if any tracking. Most dropped where I could see them fall. Now bear in mind that I in my hunting style will wait until I get the shot I want or will not shoot at all. I don't take hail Mary shots or shoot at running deer.

I'm not a fan of Hornady. I should have said a good pure lead bullet.

Too bad everybody doesn't feel that way.

I think some hunters watch too many cowboy movies.

I have shot barnes 290gr tmz they shot good to 300 yards 3 3/4 in groups in my gun the 300gr pt gold is 5 in groups at 300 yards and if you weigh the bullet they can be out as mush as 5 1/2 gr or more and all are over 300 gr I weigh all my bullets to help constancy of every round fired have not shot a deer with the pt but have shot the barnes and have performed very good for me at 25yds to 200yds in a 50 cal and so for the lehigh bullets are doing very good at the range will use them this next season

What's your powder load for those 300yd shots with the Barnes?