I use these bullets and I have seen nothing but good out of them. I have not lost a deer yet with them. i am using 250 grain barnes mz expanders out of my 50 caliber cva with 115 grains of powder. What do you think of the expander? I always have a perfect mushroom with 100 percent weight retention and excellent penetration. Do you have the same luck?

I USE THE BARNES RED HOT 250gr. AND I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU THEY ARE GREAT, DROP DEER IN THERE TRACKS.

I used them last year but have changed back to 240gr XTP's. Reason is, I didn't get that good of penetration on tough shots. I shot a doe last year at 75yards in the shoulder with the Barnes 250gr. It didn't penetrate all the way thru both lungs. This year, I switched back to XTP's and had a 50 yard shot in the same postion on a 8pt. It went thru the shoulder and both lungs. But barely held in place behind the fur so I was able to recover a perfect mushroom. Seconds reason is the BC of the Barnes bullet. Maybe it was becuase extra 25 yards. I wouldn't hesitate to use one again. But for the price, I decided XTP's were the bullet that never failed me.

Bigcountry

What power charge were you using? With 3 pellets, I've had exit wounds on mule deer and antelope out to 240 yrds. The only failure to exist I've ever seen was into the shoulders of a big mule deer buck my cousin shot using only 2 pelets. The extra velocity 3 pellets provides seems to make quite a difference.

Do the barnes work good on elk?[&:] What charge would I need to get it enough knockdown? Does it need any more? I know that it doesn't have a hard time flattening deer!

elkaddict, I don't have a magnum muzzleloader. I use 95gr of pyrodex.

I use the 300 gr Expanders with 100 grains of powder. I have never recovered a bullet as they blow right through with a very large exit hole. I switched from the 240 xtp as one blew up on me as the expoanders will not fragment. Accuracy is pretty good but was better before they began using thinner sabots. Another benefit for me is that they shoot in the same place the first shot with a clean barrel. Groups are fair at 2" at 100 yards.