BarnesX / Failsafe Bullets??
 

Do these bullets really perform as promised?? My concern is with the rather small opening.If the bullet was to strike a bone(leg or shoulder) at an angle,is it not possible the hollow point may close up instead of open? This would leave you with basically a FMJ entering the ribcage.I currently use Hornadys and don't really plan on switching,but I would like to hear from anyone who has used these rounds just in case...

RE: BarnesX / Failsafe Bullets??
 

I have used bothin the field, and tested in wet newspaper before doing so. They work.

I used the fail safe in factory ammo, later I found out they had slower velocity than what I could build to, and that is an intentional thing on the part of the factory. It did the job on a good sized mule deer just fine. I later reloaded some to my velocity level, and found the factory was right in downloading a little.

The X bullet, is my favorite now. I worked them from a slower velocity to faster adn tested for expansion, found they held together no matter what. I like the mushroom, and the weight retention is there, and the petals donot shear. The bull I brought down didn't care for it much though, but he was over it pretty quick.

I do have one last observation though, and that is a good BTSP from any maker will usually do just as well, but it is fun to work with new stuff.

RE: BarnesX / Failsafe Bullets??
 

Most of the guys we hunt Moose with all use FailSafe factory Ammo or Barnes-X Weatherby Ammo. I agree with Colo Wolf on the velocity issue, most of the tests show less then advertised velocity for the FailSafes, but the retained weight is definitly accurate. I have removed 300 and 338 caliber bullets that went right thru ribs on one side and lodged in a rib or skin on the other and the bullet is all there with the petals bent back.

Its one of our favorites.

RE: BarnesX / Failsafe Bullets??
 

I tried the barnes x bullets in my 243win and they have all been very good on penetration and weight retention . Not the shock damage I was getting with btsp's .

RE: BarnesX / Failsafe Bullets??
 

Ive shot a lot of deer with x bullets and in my opinion, they do what a bullet is supposed to do on game. They expand and penetrate on a straight line. The worst thing about them is since they changed the design in 1996, I cant get them to shoot worth a crap in most of my guns.

RE: BarnesX / Failsafe Bullets??
 

Larry-

I assume you shoot 338.. what is your load and what kind of groups do you get? I am using a 338 and get 3/4 to 1" myself.... just wondering.

RE: BarnesX / Failsafe Bullets??
 

When you guys talk about Barnes X bullets, do you mean the uncoated or coated (XLC)? Which do you prefer?? There is different loading specs between these 2 bullets. correct? Thanks!!

RE: BarnesX / Failsafe Bullets??
 

Rossman-

NOt sure about the other guys, but I talk about the non-coated. I keep getting conflicting reports about moly coatings, hearing one side saying not much good adn others saying how great it is.

As to reloading, I think there are separate specs for the different bullets, should be. I make it a point to scour everything I can about loading a particular bullet before I ever start the process. That is a good habit to take up.

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RE: BarnesX / Failsafe Bullets??
 

On Norma's website there is a report/investigation into Moly coatings. It's actually interesting reading.

You can find it at www.Norma.cc

RE: BarnesX / Failsafe Bullets??
 

Fail-Safe's are a great bullet. That said, I don't consider them a good whitetail bullet. From the deer I've seen shot with them, they have excellent penetration on a light-skinned deer...but lacks expansion and shock.

On a bear or moose, it's a different story. The Fail-Safe's are made for heavier skinned animals.

RE: BarnesX / Failsafe Bullets??
 

colo wolf, I have tried the 160, 175, 185 regular and coated, and the 200 gr x bullets in my 338/06, and typically get 100 yd five shot groups in the 2 - 3 inch range with these bullets. I have tried them with 4895, 4320, h-380, 4064, and H-414. Nothing seems to work. Before they changed the design I was getting five shot groups well under an inch. Now I see groups in the four inch range frequently. The best groups I get are 2". With other bullets the accuracy is fine, running about 1 1/4" with hornady and speer and much better than that with ballistic tips. Thats what I hunt with now, the 338 ballistic tips have a thicker jacket than the smaller calibers, and besides, any 200 gr bullet will work alright on a deer. I have a 280 that will shoot the 140 gr x good, but if you look at that bullet it doesnt have the secant ogive. The only rifle I have that will shoot the secant ogive x bullets is my sons' 3006, and it wont shoot them better than about 1 1/2 ". It frequently gets around 3/4" with other bullets. I have talked to Randy Brooks and he tells me that Im not seating them correctly, he says at least .05 off the riflings is where they need to be, but I have tried every seating depth practical with no noticable difference in my rifle. I would love to use them, the old 175 in my rifle was the best killing bullet I have ever seen on deer, but I just hate to shoot a load that wont group better than six or eight inches at 200 when I can shoot two inch groups with a nosler. As far as performance though, I think the x bullet is the thing! It just pisses me off that they wont shoot as good as they used to. I wish barnes had kept their old machines and offer both styles. They apparently invested a bunch of money in the new disign though and arent about to re-tool. Tell me something to try! I have shot about $600 worth of these things trying to figure out how to get them to shoot in my 338.

RE: BarnesX / Failsafe Bullets??
 

Larry,
I went to RL22 in my 338 WM. Something else I do is use the 250 gr. that I bought in the time frame your having problems with. What I am thinking it isn't the powder or the load, I think the center of gravity in the light bullets has them unbalanced, expecially for your barrels rifling. Light bullets and heavy both really get optimized by different rifling twists. Have to admit that for a fat bullet, the 338 has some enormous weight deviations. Thats one of the reasons I usually use the heavier bullets in whatever caliber I shoot, heavier bullets seem to take to bad twist rates better. I look at the lighter weight bullets and start thinking of tossing marbles from a rocket launcer. What your telling me, I think I will just keep on using my heavier slugs.
Man, do I EVER sympathize on the cost of testing loads with those bullets, really a bummer when money and a plan don't work.