Barnes Bullets Ammo Review: Innovation and Accuracy Combined
Welcome to our Barnes Bullets ammo review, where we delve into the quality, performance, and offerings of this renowned brand. Whether you're a seasoned shooter or a hunting enthusiast, finding reliable ammunition is crucial.
Barnes has established itself as a trusted name in the industry, known for their precision, innovative designs, and commitment to excellence. Loved by handloaders and long-distance shooters alike, Barnes Bullets is a company that understands the need for every shot to count.
In this Barnes ammo review, we are going to look at the different ammo lines Barnes has to offer and explain which ones will fit your needs best. Furthermore, we will dive into the history of Barnes Ammunition and explain how they produce ammo that’s on par with Nosler, Hornady, and Federal.
Is Barnes a Good Brand of Ammo?
Yes! Barnes makes incredibly high-quality ammunition for hunters, target shooters, and training. They also produce innovative bullet designs for handloading and muzzleloaders. Their dedication to quality and consistency lead to many of Barnes’s multiple ammunition lines achieving sub-MOA levels of accuracy.
Pros and Cons?
As much as we love ammo, we understand that no manufacturer is perfect. Here are some of the pros and cons of Barnes ammo you should be aware of.
Pros
- Exceptional terminal performance
- Bullets engineered for massive wound channels and blood trails
- Multiple ammo lines
- MOA-level accuracy or better
- Both copper monolithic and lead core bullets are available
Cons
- Can be a bit pricey for plinking
Barnes Bullets has built a strong reputation based on its exceptional performance and a range of benefits that set it apart in the ammunition market. One notable advantage of Barnes Bullets is its superior terminal performance.
Designed to expand reliably upon impact, these bullets deliver devastating energy transfer and ensure quick, clean kills. Their deep penetration capability further enhances their effectiveness in taking down game.
Another key benefit of Barnes bullets is their ability to retain a high percentage of their weight upon impact. This weight retention contributes to their impressive stopping power and promotes controlled expansion, resulting in efficient energy transfer to the target.
Additionally, high weight retention helps minimize the risk of over-penetration, prioritizing safety in various shooting scenarios, especially in self-defense situations.
Barnes ammo is also known for its accuracy and consistency, factors that are highly valued by precision and long-range shooters. Meticulously manufactured and subjected to rigorous quality control measures, these bullets exhibit precise dimensions and reliable performance from shot to shot.
With a diverse range of options available, they cater to a wide array of shooting applications and preferences.
Whether you're pursuing big game, varmints, or engaging in long-range precision shooting, Barnes Bullets offers ammunition in popular calibers to suit specific needs. This versatility ensures that shooters can find the right ammunition for their intended purpose.
Additionally, we can see a commitment to environmental responsibility is evident in their lead-free bullet technology. By eliminating the use of lead and employing solid copper construction in many of their rounds, Barnes provides an eco-friendly choice for shooters.
These lead-free bullets not only contribute to environmental conservation but also offer consistent bullet integrity, reliable expansion, and reduced barrel fouling, resulting in improved accuracy and cleaner shooting experiences.
Many conservation areas and other federal lands also require-lead free bullets these days, as do some indoor ranges. This makes Barnes a great choice for anyone trying to work within these restrictions.
Finally, reloaders will love that Barnes sells not only complete factory ammo, like Barnes VOR-TX ammo, but also bullets for reloading, including their Barnes TSX bullet, LRX bullet, and TAC-TX bullet.
Which Calibers are Available?
Barnes offers a wide variety of centerfire handgun and rifle ammo in different calibers; here are some of their most popular factory loads:
- 223 Remington
- 5.56x45mm NATO
- 300 AAC Blackout
- 243 Win
- 270 Winchester
- 260 Remington
- 308 Winchester
- 300 Win Mag
- 30-30 Win
- 30-06 Springfield
- 6.5 Creedmoor
- 6.5 Grendel
- 6.5 PRC
- 375 H&H Magnum
- 7mm Rem Mag
- 338 Lapua Magnum
- 338 Win Mag
- 380 ACP
- 9mm Luger
- 40 S&W
- 45 ACP
- 10mm Auto
- 357 Magnum
- 38 Special
- 44 Magnum
- 45 Long Colt
- 454 Casull
- 45-70 Government
Barnes Bullets History and Important Information
Barnes Bullets has a rich history in the ammunition industry, dating back to its founding in 1932 by Fred Barnes. Like so many of the best ammo manufacturers around today, Barnes ammo started out of a desire for better ammo and projectiles.
Of course, what began as a personal quest for reliable hunting bullets quickly transformed into a successful business. Fred Barnes' innovative approach led to the development of the Barnes X Bullet, a solid copper bullet that revolutionized the industry.
The Barnes X Bullet gained widespread recognition for its exceptional weight retention, controlled expansion, and deep penetration. This design not only improved the performance of hunting ammunition but also addressed concerns about lead contamination in the environment.
Over the years, Barnes Bullets expanded its product line to include a wide variety of bullets and loaded ammunition suitable for hunting, target shooting, and self-defense. They have continued to innovate and refine their designs, incorporating features such as polymer tips and boat-tail bases to enhance ballistic performance.
Today, Barnes Bullets remains at the forefront of bullet technology and is trusted by whitetail hunters, competitive shooters, and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Their commitment to quality, performance, and environmental responsibility has solidified their position as a respected and reliable brand in the ammunition industry.
Where is Barnes ammo made?
Barnes ammunition is proudly made in the United States. The company's manufacturing facilities are located in Mona, Utah.
What Ammo Lines Does Barnes Ammunition Sell?
Barnes makes ammunition lines that can be confusing to new shooters. Here’s a breakdown of the factory ammo Barnes Bullets sells.
Barnes VOR-TX: Barnes VOR-TX ammo is the company’s premier line of hunting ammo. No matter if that trophy mule deer is quartering away or giving you a clean broadside shot, Barnes VOR-TX ammo is loaded to get the job done. Barnes VOR-TX ammo comes in Rifle, Long Range, Handgun, Safari, Self-Defense, and Expander Shotshells.
Barnes Pioneer: This is a smaller production line of ammo that caters to shooters who enjoy older calibers like 45 Colt, 45-70 Government, 30-30 Win, and 357 Mag. These rounds are specifically designed for lever-action rifles and revolvers, loaded with flat-point bullets to ensure smooth feeding through tubular magazines and eliminating the danger of a round being set off prematurely.
TAC-XPD Defense Handgun: This is Barnes personal defense ammunition for handguns. Loaded with coated monolithic copper bullets and nickel-plated brass cases, these rounds feed smoothly, and the massive hollow point provides amazing expansion.
Barnes Defense Buckshot: No matter if you prefer the 12-gauge or 20-gauge shotgun, Barnes Defense Buckshot is ready for home defense. Custom-loaded to ensure a tight shot pattern and extremely reliable performance, this 00 buckshot is perfect for stopping anything that goes bump in the night.
Precision Match: Headed to a long-range shooting match but don’t have the time to get your handloads ready? Grab some Barnes Precision Match ammo, and you’ll be set to bore out the x-ring, provided you do your part. This is Barnes premier match-grade ammo that is perfect for target shooting and competitions but not suitable for hunting.
Barnes JHP Rifle: These hollow point rounds are perfect for varmint and feral hog elimination. Specifically designed for semi-automatic rifles, they are perfect for clearing your property of pests that plague your rural paradise. Barnes JHP Rifle ammo is only available in 223 Remington and 300 AAC Blackout.
What different lines of Bullets does Barnes Bullets Sell?
Not only does Barnes sell premier factory ammo for your handgun and rifle, but they also sell reloading components if you’re a handloading aficionado. Here’s a quick breakdown of all the different bullets Barnes offers.
Barnes TSX – Barnes Tripple Shock X bullets are one of the premier hunting bullets the company offers. Barnes TSX bullets are monolithic copper that produces unparalleled levels of accuracy, reduces barrel fouling, and exceptional expansion to ensure a clean kill.
Barnes TTSX – My personal favorite Barnes Bullet, the TTSX (Tipped TSX), is the polymer-tipped version of the TSX. Not only does the polymer tip increase the ballistic coefficient, but it also initiates expansion by diving into the hollow point when it impacts soft tissue.
Barnes LRX – The LRX (Long Range X) is specifically designed for long-range hunting applications. Similar to the TTSX, the LRX is a monolithic copper construction with a polymer tip to initiate expansion. Designed to expand into razor-sharp petals, the LRX provides deep penetration for thick-skinned game to take on any game animal you choose to hunt.
XPB Pistol – These are Barnes all copper pistol hollow point bullets designed for hunting. Designed for exceptional expansion and weight retention, the XPB is perfect for your next revolver hunt.
Buster – These bullets are built for dangerous game. Developed with a thick copper jacket and dense lead core, these hunting rounds are designed for exceptional penetration to take on bears, Cape Buffalo, and feral hogs.
Varmin-A-Tor – Varmints wreaking havoc on your property? These varmint bullets are designed to fragment on impact, turning any varmint in its path into pink mist.
Varmint Grenade – Yeah, it does exactly what you think it does! Built with a copper-tin powdered metal core and gilding metal jacket, these bullets explode on impact turning any varmint into dust. However, this round doesn’t over-penetrate, so less damage is incurred to the hides.
Barnes Original – Just like it sounds, this is the bullet that started the Barnes revolution. This projectile was formed by pressing copper tubing around a lead core. According to Barnes, it is also reported as being the first custom bullet available to American handloaders.
Banded Solids – When you need extreme penetration, Banded Solids have your back. Capable of putting the largest game animals on the planet down with a single shot, these bullets will not deflect or deform when they encounter bone. The result is deep penetration when you need that elephant or Cape Buffalo to drop in its tracks.
TAC-TX – Developed to be barrier blind and double-diameter expansion, TAC-TX rifle bullets will provide devastating wound channels at close and long-range. These monolithic copper bullets are currently only available in 0.308” and 0.264” bullet diameters.
TAC-XP Pistol Bullets – This is Barne’s go-to self-defense hollow point for common pistol calibers. With a wide hollow point cavity, the TAC-XP delivers critical expansion, penetration, and weight retention to stop a threat quickly and efficiently.
Barnes MPG – These are the company’s frangible bullet options ideal for shooting indoors. Developed for minimal penetration, these bullets are similar to the Varmint Grenade and have a jacket to keep the bullets intact while handling.
Match Burner – Do you like poking clover leaf patterns on paper and dominating your local precision rifle matches? Then the Match Burner bullet is exactly what you need for those sub-MOA groups to slay the competition in your local 3-Gun, High-Power, or PRS match.
Parting Shots
No matter if you're hunting mule deer in Colorado, shooting an F-class match, or concealed carrying your EDC pistol, Barnes Bullets is a top choice among shooters who need every shot to count. When it comes to quality, performance, and environmental consciousness, Barnes Bullets stands out as a trusted and preferred choice for shooters seeking exceptional ammunition.
Frequently Asked Questions
We've taken the liberty to round up several of the most commonly asked questions regarding Barnes Bullets.
What is going on with Barnes Bullets?
Barnes Bullets is a reputable and thriving ammunition manufacturer. They are known for their dedication to quality and innovation in bullet design, offering shooters and hunters reliable and high-performance ammunition options.
What is Barens TTSX expansion velocity?
Generally speaking, the expansion velocity of Barnes TTSX (tipped triple shock x) bullets is approximately 2,000 FPS (feet per second). However, the expansion velocity of Barnes TTSX bullets can vary depending on the specific caliber and load.
Is Barnes ammo accurate?
Barnes ammo is extremely accurate as it is loaded to match-grade specifications. Each powder charge is individually measured, and bullets are inspected for concentricity prior to loading. The result is a rifle cartridge with exceptional accuracy and precision.
Is Barnes ammo corrosive?
No, Barnes ammo is loaded with non-corrosive Boxer primers.
What primers does Barnes Ammunition use?
Barnes uses non-corrosive Boxer primers in all their centerfire ammunition.
Are Barnes cases good for reloading?
Yes! Barnes only loads brass cases that are Boxer-primed, which are perfect for reloading.
