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Thread: How light is too light for Barnes Bullets

  1. #1

    How light is too light for Barnes Bullets

    At what point for the following calibers do they lose effectiveness, I see a lot of light loadings for these rounds?

    .38 special
    .380 acp
    .45 acp
    9mm
    10mm

  2. #2
    Site Supporter ST911's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by APPDMike View Post
    At what point for the following calibers do they lose effectiveness, I see a lot of light loadings for these rounds?
    .38 special
    .380 acp
    .45 acp
    9mm
    10mm
    Some are as heavy as they can practically be to stay within bullet/cartridge OAL, and pressure limitations while still feeding and expanding.
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  3. #3
    Deadeye Dick Clusterfrack's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by APPDMike View Post
    At what point for the following calibers do they lose effectiveness, I see a lot of light loadings for these rounds?
    See the list in the sticky'd thread below:
    https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....f-Defense-Ammo
    "You can never have too many knives." --Joe Ambercrombie
    Shabbat shalom, motherf***ers! --Mordechai Jefferson Carver

  4. #4
    Depends on the velocity, but, all of the Barnes TAC-XP bullets can perform quite well.

    https://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/se...ense_ammo_FAQ/

    The one possible exception is the .380 Auto loading due to limited penetration, however, that is typical of the cartridge.
    Last edited by Velo Dog; 10-22-2022 at 01:19 PM.

  5. #5
    Last I knew, the late Chuck Taylor was very fond of the 95 gr. DPX round for his Glock 17. He said he actually preferred it over the 115 gr. variety after testing both thoroughly and told me he killed numerous mule deer with it along with several coyotes and javelina at 100 meters and it always expanded well.

  6. #6
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    For me, the 45acp looses effectiveness via lack of penetration (in a barnes XPB) when you drop below the 185 gr. load, I don't even know if they make the 160 gr. anymore??

    https://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Ba...0gr_TAC-XP.pdf

    The 185 tho:

    https://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Ba...5gr_TAC-XP.pdf

    It's not on your list, but in .44 mag the 225 gr. XPB performs very similar to the Hornady 300 gr. XTP in gel (according to those who test these things). The 300 gr. XTP does a lot of work out of a .44 mag so that's high praise for the lighter Barnes. The 44 XPB does it with less recoil than the big XTP. Whether that transfers to the smaller calibers on your list I don't know, hopefully there's some data out there you can find.

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by JTMcC View Post
    For me, the 45acp looses effectiveness via lack of penetration (in a barnes XPB) when you drop below the 185 gr. load, I don't even know if they make the 160 gr. anymore??
    Yes, the 160 gr. bullet is still offered and works pretty well at +P velocities of 1050-1200 fps.

    https://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/se..._CorbonDPX.htm

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Velo Dog View Post
    Yes, the 160 gr. bullet is still offered and works pretty well at +P velocities of 1050-1200 fps.

    https://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/se..._CorbonDPX.htm
    Here's a source for 160gr loaded ammo.

    https://shopwilsoncombat.com/45-ACP-...5-160-TACXP-C/

    Wilson Combat has a variety of Barnes Bullet loads.

    Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Velo Dog View Post
    Yes, the 160 gr. bullet is still offered and works pretty well at +P velocities of 1050-1200 fps.

    https://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/se..._CorbonDPX.htm
    "works pretty well", it certainly appears that way if human size threats are your upper limit.
    Those with larger animals in the neighborhood might want to stick with 185's or even above & beyond that.

    I do understand the major focus of this forum tops out at the human animal.
    Does anyone know if the 160's @ +P velocity offer any recoil advantage over 185's and heavier? That would be slightly interesting to my Wife/Chic especially with smaller 45's..

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