450Bushmaster.net

For all of you waiting for, or who got your shipment, here are a few observations in lieu of folks doing testing a submitting Range Reports.

This is a .452 bullet unlike the Barnes XPB which runs .451. Not certain yet how that will impact pressure, but it's safe to say that a recipe for the Barnes 200gr XPB would produce a faster, higher pressure load using the COP 200gr, all else being equal.

Didn't have time to photograph one next to the Barnes 200gr XPB, but as Pitted Bore already noted, they are only similar from a distance. Aside from their weight, they are completely different bullets. The COP looks like it will expand at lower velocities, having a .170-.175 diameter, parallel shaft, HP bore. The finish on the COP bullets looks like what I imagine the Barnes XPB bullets looked like before they were tumble polished. Not that it has a significant impact upon performance. The COP does not have driving bands, but it does have a crimp groove. The groove is located where if you seat the bullet to taper crimp into that groove, it would produce a round with a COL of 2.20 inches. In my barrel the Distance To Lands is 2.36 which would result in a .16 inch jump. IMHO, that's a good dimension for this caliber.

Here's a dimensional and weight stat table for a bag of 25:



I included some averages from the Barnes 200gr XPB also.

I hope to cut one of each in half and photograph them so you can see how different their hollow point cavities are.

Let the conversation begin...

Hoot

Great initial info, Hootster...I'm glad someone has the patience to wring out every bit of information on a new item like this. I certainly don't, to say the least. You do good work, hombre!

What are your current plans for loading 'em up and sending 'em down the pipe?

Here's a few pics of the projectile being discussed.

If I'm not mistaken, Midway advertised that it was a 20 count bag. But mine have 25 per bag and apparently so does Hoots'.
I'm pleased.

They certainly look decent enough...will be very interesting to see how velocity/accuracy/expansion work out in the 450b. The Hornady 200gr .452 FTX is almost certainly a bit too "delicate" for our velocities, but I'm thinking an all-copper boolit like this one should do just fine with expansion and penetration. They're certainly worth trying, at 40-cents each, compared to the Barnes budget-busters.

Yes I noticed right off they didn't look like the pic on Midway's site(larger HP opening). I liked that there were 25 instead of 20 also. Nice info Hoot. Are the Barnes numbers similar on quality control?

texrider wrote:Yes I noticed right off they didn't look like the pic on Midway's site(larger HP opening). I liked that there were 25 instead of 20 also. Nice info Hoot. Are the Barnes numbers similar on quality control?

Yes, from the few I checked out of a box (not 25) they held even better tolerance than the COP's. My better half will be late getting home tonight and I will be putting the free time to good use, cutting one of each in half to photograph the difference between the hollow points. If time allows, I'll load up some test rounds as well, using the standard taper crimp. With such a distinct groove, it will not be hard to get a good hold on them. The Barnes 200 XPB's that I taper crimped would not budge with 8 hard whacks using an inertial bullet puller. Another reason I use them for whitetail hunting.

Hoot

Hoot, did you get my email?

Texas Sheepdawg wrote:Hoot, did you get my email?

Sorry Dawg, yes I did. More on that later.

OK, here are various images of the two side-by-side and in compromising positions:



and the other way:



Now revealing shots of the Barnes inside:



and



and



Then the COP:



and



and



Lastly, nose-to-nose



Sorry if that was repetitious. Figured what one didn't reveal, the others would.

Notice that on the Barnes, the HP cavity narrows and then widens a little near the bottom. I suspect that is what contributes to the petals opening up as well as they do, as in this classic bullet porn from a water shot a few years back:



Hoot

Hoot do I see a water test in the future?