Barnes Bullets........ Tour of the facility and Q. & A.

As many of you know, Barnes Bullets makes some pretty good bullets. From their Varmint Grenades, Multipurpose Green, Copper X-bullets, Original Barnes, Busters and Monolithic Brass Solids, the pretty much have you covered for hunting anything from Mice to Elephants.

I had the chance to tour the Barnes facility and visit with their staff a few weeks ago.  I had few questions prepared to ask them as I toured their facility.  I actually wanted to know the answer to some of these and some were from statements I had heard at gun shows, shooting events or even at the gun counters of sporting goods stores.  Whether these questions made sense to me or not, I had heard them so often that I wanted to hear what Barnes had to say about them.  I also wanted to post their responses for everyone to see, and begin responding to these types of questions in a way that is not just my opinion but backed with knowledge of process and material use.  

Q-1.     Is Barnes Bullets really just an all copper bullet company?    

A-1.     No Barnes makes all kinds of bullet from the Original Barnes with a copper jacket and lead core to non-toxic Multipurpose Green Frangible, Varmint Grenade expansive,  Copper TSX, TTSX and Monolithic Brass solids with a flat meplat or spire point.

Q-2      What do you say to the folktales that Barnes-Copper bullets shred the rifling in your weapon after 300 to 500 rounds? 

A-2      It’s crazy talk!  First of all, the metallurgical quality of the copper used in Barnes copper bullets is 99.95% pure copper. This is basically the same as electrical grade copper (Electrical grade copper is 99.997% pure). With respect to the hardness to steel, this grade of copper is obviously much softer.   In respect to the standard copper jacket on every bullet produced in the last 100 years, Barnes copper is just as soft if not softer than those jackets.  Each one of Barnes Test Barrels fire thousands of Barnes Bullets for performance evaluation (Accuracy and Deformation).  These test barrels would advertise any type of excessive wear, fouling or other problems, but they don’t have any of theses problems.

Q-3      What is the function of the rings along the shaft of a Barnes Copper Bullet? Does it make the bullet hit harder, or cause more damage?

A-3      The function of the rings along the bullet reduces the bearing surface of the bullet, reduces barrel fouling.  This improves accuracy and overall bullet performance.  (Barnes bullets don’t cause more barrel fouling than any other “typical” bullet, they foul the same).

Q-4      Does the construction and materials of Barnes bullets offer any benefit to Magnum Cartridge Hunters?  What about slower velocity cartridges like the 30-30, 444 Marlin or 458 Win?

A-4      Barnes TSX and TTSX Bullets are built to deliver optimum expansion and mass retention at a very wide range of both high and low bullet velocities.  For example they are built to open properly if fired from a .300 RUM that impacts a target at 60 yards or from a 308 Win that impacts at 500 yards.  Each bullet is built for a specific cartridge or group of cartridges.  So whether you are shooting a laser fast 30 caliber or a slow 45 caliber, the bullets are built to perform correctly in each cartridge type and at each range of velocity.

 

Q-5      With a Barnes Copper Bullet, does the ability of the “petals” to curl back provide more controlled, repeatable and predictable expansion when impacting heavy or thick animal tissue and bone?

A-5      We say yes.  Barnes tests and makes sure that the bullets expand or that the petals “peal and curl back” in a controlled and even manner.  This maintains a uniform frontal surface as the bullet penetrates the target.  It also helps keep the bullet in the original line of penetration.

I was already impressed with Barnes bullets performance from my personal experience.  But this visit really impressed me.  I spent several hours visiting and touring the facility while they were producing, firing and evaluating their bullets.  I learned some amazing information about their production processes, their exacting performance requirements, and their very high standards of quality.  Barnes pulls bullets from the production line every 5,000 bullets produced (or about every hour, 65-80 minutes) and tests them for accuracy and performance on their 300 yard indoor range.  Most of us can’t hand load 10 to 15 rounds, fire them and look at what happened in two and a half hours.  But Barnes does this everyday they are producing bullets with each different load, bullet type, and cartridge type. They did this three times in my two hour visit.

Barnes even has “cartridge specific” constraints! That’s right, not just caliber or even caliber and bullet weight requirements, but they have specific requirements for the bullet based on the cartridge they will shoot it from. (They even package the bullets differently for the different cartridges within that caliber group).  For example; .357 caliber bullets. Barnes builds their bullets specifically to be fired from a 380, vs. a 9mm and a 357 magnum. How do you like that?!  

I was privileged to see at least one phase of the production of virtually every bullet that Barnes produces.  I was able to ask a lot of questions to both to the machinists and the folks that work in their labs.  Barnes uses processes that assure proper and uniform jacket thickness, improves the center of mass alignment with the center of form, reduces stress concentrations in bullet structures and keeps actual weight extremely close and consistent to design bullet weight.  When I put everything together that I saw and learned, I was pretty much blown away. 

As I was getting ready to leave I asked Barnes what their thoughts were about competing with everyone else to produce bullets that have higher and higher ballistic coefficients. Barnes replied, “We make bullets that work.  We are always looking for ways to make our product better. Our focus is making a bullet that will perform extremely well in virtually any situation, any condition and at any realistic range of velocity.  If a hunter can make the shot, our bullet will do its job.  Our bullets are built to function in any situation, so their form follows that function.  At the end of the day, you use what works.  Our products functions very well, so we don’t worry too much about changing their form.   

  

I am not a one bullet kind of guy... I think they are all beautiful.  I shoot them all and I have a few different favorites for just about any specific purpose.  Needless to say, I love them all.   But after visiting the Barnes Bullets Facility, if I was looking to start up a long term relationship with one particular bullet, Barnes would be at the top of my list to find a potential fit. 

Be safe and Good Hunting!       Andrew C.

Aimpoint scopes, AMAZING

The AIMPOINT red dot Rifle Scope.  This was one of the most surprising, exciting and literally eye opening products I found at the POMA conference. The Aimpoint scope I used caused a complete change in my attitude towards red dot scopes.  I am definitely going to get one for a test run.  I may even begin using them, we'll see.

Several years ago I used a few different red dot scopes.  To say the least I did not like them.  Most had either poor glass that caused image hazing or clouding, dot glare, inappropriate dot size for distance, eye relief issues, or rapid loss of battery life (rendering the scope useless at any time).  One of these issues is bad enough, but combining two or three... Oh man, bad news!  Even worse was having these issues with goggles that were foggy, slightly scratched or hazy, causing horrific visual distraction and eye fatigue.  Forget it!  Most of the time I either saw the dot or the target, not both.  In addition, the dot was typically to large for shooting any area smaller than a six inch circle at 100 yards.  I'm sure you now understand that I did not like them.

I saw Aimpoint set up at the 100 yard section of the range during the POMA conference.  When I looked through one of their scopes, I was AMAZED!  I stopped and took a picture of what I  saw.  This was a zero magnification scope, so there was no disruption to my field of view.  The dot is easily seen and covers about a 3 inch circle at 100 yards (ask Aimpoint for the exact measure).  The target was a steel silhouette of a buffalo, roughly 30 inches across and 22 inches tall. The scope set up and the size of the red dot was perfect!

I asked if I could send a few rounds down range.  I put three down range, all rounds hitting right where I put the dot.  I then began reloading and pushing rounds down range faster and faster with each fresh stack of 5 rounds. To say the least, I was impressed.  The ability to chamber a round and squeeze as quickly as the two lined up was amazing.  It wasn't as fast as an AR platform, or to use the proper new term, it wasn't as quick as using a Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR) but for just picking up a bolt rifle, it was pretty fast.  I did better than 5 rounds down range and on target in 12 seconds.  It was simple, no thinking about the reticle, just acquire and squeeze.  I have to admit, I was smiling ear to ear and laughing. 

I think the folks at Aimpoint saw the opportunity to take me to school.  They asked me if I could shoot with both eyes open, and put the lens cap on the scope.  I laughed a little because the answer was obviously yes, but also that it didn't matter. (I can't see out of my right eye).  I was hesitant to tell them that I have a damaged right eye and was nearly blind in that eye for quite a few years.  But I laughed inside and thought, "What the H*!!".  I will try it out and see what happens, ha ha!  WOW!  For me it was nothing short of a miracle.  It was no huge miracle, but it worked!  Using my right eye, I could barely make out the dark splotch of the buffalo silhouette down range, but I could see it.  And right in the middle of the dark splotch was a crisp red dot.  THE LENS CAP WAS ON!  I had to lift my head and confirm that I was seeing my target correctly.  It was amazing.  I fired several rounds and hit the target just fine.  I was smiling so big, they told me to rip through another 5 rounds.  I wasn't able to shoot as quickly as before, and I missed one shot.  But I hit the target 4 out of 5 times at 100 yards with the lens cap on, using quick shots and looking with my bad eye.  (Pretty much a worse case scenario)  It was Awesome!

After reloading and firing a few more 5 round stacks, with my good eye straining to see the target and my damaged eye not seeing more than the splotches down range, my eyes started to fatigue and I had to stop.  But wow!  What a great test of a superior product!  For dangerous game applications, I have no doubt that this scope could not only prove to be a lifesaver, but provide a decisive edge in confidence and rapid target acquisition.  Additionally, for standard hunting applications, depending on your rifle and cartridge, I think this would be an awesome scope for any distance the keeps your total trajectory at + / - 3 inches.  ( So 200 to 300 yards).

On a personal note, I have not been able to use my injured right eye in shooting or any other activity for years.  It has been difficult for me to deal with, but I have learned to joke about it and disregard it's limitations.  After using that scope, I knew that if I had too, I could still use that eye.  That was a great experience.  It was a little emotional, but I was laughing and smiling so it was all good.

I am definitely going to try and get a hold of another Aimpoint Red Dot Hunting Scope and run it through a few more tests.  Aimpoint told me that I could throw their scopes against the wall or hit it with a piece of wood and it would still work.  My eyes got even bigger and I told them, that is the scope I need.  I am constantly dropping and bumping my optics.  Most can't handle the abuse.  They smiled and said that they have the scope(s) for me....  I am anxious to see just how great these scopes really are! 

POMA Conference

I recently returned from the annual POMA (Professional Outdoor Media Association) conference. It was a great experience.  If anyone has any questions about POMA or how to get involved, please ask me about them or go to their website. http://professionaloutdoormedia.org

When you do, the people you will contact are wonderful.  I can't say it any other way.  These folks truly want you to succeed.  They are friendly and sincere.  You will be amazed and the personal attention you will receive.  The conference was packed with training courses and interactive opportunities that allowed me to ask others how they are approaching common challenges.  I had multiple opportunities to sit down with true leaders of the industry like Pete Brownell, Bill Miller, even Jim Zumbo.  I can't say it enough, the personal attention and the "importance of the individual" was amazing.  I was simply overwhelmed at how someone like me could walk into that conference and walk out feeling rejuvenated, reinvigorated and better equiped in just a few days.

One of the Great things about the conference was the filed day. This gave us an opportunity to use, sample and demonstrate new products at the gun range.  I will start posting reviews of some of the products over the next few days.  I hope you enjoy them.  Please post any questions you might have.