Barns Expander bullets

[Shaner7269]

Just wondering if any one has any experience with the 250g barns expander bullet in a 50cal muzzleloader. How well do they load and performance on deer. most of my shots are close range so I need something that opens up fast. I'm currently using a 250g TC shock wave yellow sabot and they are accurate but I find the bullet not expanding like I want it to, I use 100g of triple seven also. most of the deer are 50 yards and closer. I was thinking of slowing the bullet down and maybe that would be better at close range for expansion. Thanks

[hollywood]

I have been using the Barnes Expander sabot for a number of years. I tried various sabots and these were most accurate in my .50 cal (Knight Revolution). I can get 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. I use 100 grains of 777. They take some effort to load....but my experience has been if they go down the barrel easy, accuracy suffers. I have shot deer ranging from 25 yards to 110 yards....always a pass-thru and good expansion. They are the only sabot I will use.

[Shaner7269]

Thanks Hollywood for your reply I'll pick up some and give them a try. I always like to here reviews from people on products, can't always go by what the company's say

[Fenelon]

I was surprised to read your comment about the 250 yellow shockwaves not opening up. Both my wife and I shoot these out of TC Omegas and we've shot close to 25 deer with them, all at 70-120yds with 95 grains loose 777 powder.. Usually do not get a pass thru even with heart lung shot. The slightest bone contact and they mushroom and fragment well. A little bit too much if you happen to clip a scapula. Even rib contact usually scrapnels the copper jacket into the internals. I've tried the bonded blue 250s and I was getting pass thrus. I found the deer didn't drop as well as with the yellow tipped ones. I tried at least 10 different weights and brands, including Barnes and the Shockwaves are by far the best accuracy out of a TC Omega or Encore. I manage to recover at least 75% of the bullet usually when I'm butchering. The plastic yellow tip is usually in there too!