The Barnes Bullets Podcast

di Barnes Bullets

Stagione 2

Small Caliber Cartridges for Big Game: How Small Is Too Small?

How small is too small for big game? The trend is everywhere right now—hunters taking increasingly smaller cartridges after increasingly larger animals. .22 Creedmoor for moose. .22 ARC and other small-caliber cartridges for elk, bears, and big game. And depending on who you ask, the answer is either: “Shot placement is everything.” …or… “There’s no replacement for bullet weight, diameter, and horsepower.” In this episode of Ballistics Briefs by Barnes, Dale and Gregg jump directly into one of the hottest debates in modern hunting: small cartridges vs. big game animals. Can a .22-caliber hunting bullet kill a moose? Absolutely. But that isn’t really the question. The better question is: How much margin for error are you willing to give up—and what happens when the shot isn’t absolutely perfect? Gregg breaks down the ballistics behind using smaller cartridges on large animals and if you are going to intentionally give up bullet diameter and projectile weight, bullet construction becomes more important than ever.

S2 · E10

3 set 2026

13:42

Ballistic Coefficient Explained: What BC Really Means for Hunters - #BallisticsBriefs

In this episode of Ballistics Briefs by Barnes, Dale puts Mitchell on the clock to break down one of the most misunderstood measurements in shooting and hunting. They explain how ballistic coefficient relates to aerodynamic drag, retained velocity, wind drift and bullet drop—and why chasing the highest BC number can lead shooters toward the wrong projectile for their rifle or hunting application. A high-BC bullet may retain velocity and resist wind more efficiently, but ballistic coefficient is only one part of total bullet performance. Accuracy in your individual rifle, impact velocity, expansion, penetration, construction and intended use still matter when selecting a hunting bullet.

S2 · E8

21 ago 2026

18:46

Best Hunting Ammo Nobody Talks About | Barnes Expert Picks - #BallisticsBriefs

Some of the best ammo options are the ones hunters overlook. In this episode of Ballistics Briefs, Dale is joined by Gregg, as he breaks down his top sleeper picks from across the Barnes ammunition lineup—what makes each load stand out, where it shines, and why it deserves more attention. Quick, practical insight to help you become a more informed shooter before hunting season arrives. Find the right load, confirm it in your rifle, and stock up now before the season rush begins.

S2 · E7

7 ago 2026

18:21

Hydrostatic Shock Explained: Temporary Cavities, Bullet Energy & Terminal Ballistics - #BallisticsBriefs

Is hydrostatic shock real—or is it one of the most misunderstood myths in hunting ballistics? Hunters constantly talk about hydrostatic shock, knockdown power, energy transfer, shock waves, wound channelsand animals “dropping in their tracks.” But are all those terms describing the same thing—or are we giving hydrostatic shock credit for something else happening inside the animal? In this episode of Ballistics Briefs by Barnes, Dale and Gregg break down what actually happens when a hunting bullet impacts an animal.

S2 · E6

24 lug 2026

19:26

Are You Using the Right Hunting Bullet? TSX vs TTSX vs LRX vs TAC-TX - #BallisticsBriefs

Are you using the right Barnes bullet for your hunt?In this episode of Ballistics Briefs by Barnes, we break down the differences between four of the most popular Barnes bullet designs: TSX, TTSX, LRX, and TAC-TX. They’re all copper. They’re all built with Barnes’ proven monolithic bullet technology. But they are not all designed to do the exact same job. We dive into how each bullet is designed, where it shines, and why bullet choice matters when it comes to accuracy, expansion, penetration, impact velocity, and real-world terminal performance.

S2 · E5

8 lug 2026

15:56

Why The .308 Win Might Be the Only Hunting Cartridge You Actually Need - #BallisticsBriefs

Is the .308 Winchester the most versatile hunting cartridge ever developed?In this episode of Ballistics Briefs by Barnes, we make the case for why the .308 Winchester may be the best all-around hunting cartridge ever made.We break down why the .308 Winchester continues to perform on deer, elk, black bear, hogs, antelope, and other big game when paired with the right bullet. We also look at why so many hunters may be overthinking cartridge selection when a proven, practical round like the .308 Win handles more than people want to admit.

S2 · E4

21 giu 2026

11:41

Are Magnum Cartridges Overrated? The Truth About Recoil, Velocity & Performance - #BallisticsBriefs

Are magnum cartridges actually overrated? Hunters love speed, energy, range, and horsepower — and magnum cartridges look incredible on paper. But in the real world, more power does not always mean better performance. In this episode of Ballistics Briefs by Barnes, we dive into one of the biggest debates in hunting: magnum cartridges vs standard cartridges. Magnums have a place. No question. But if recoil causes poor shot placement, if velocity exceeds your bullet’s ideal performance window, or if the rifle is harder to practice with, are you actually gaining anything? This episode breaks down the truth about magnum cartridges vs standard cartridges, including recoil, accuracy, velocity, bullet performance, terminal ballistics, and practical hunting performance.

S2 · E3

5 giu 2026

18:20

Does Muzzle Velocity Matter? Bullet Expansion & Function Windows Explained - #BallisticsBriefs

Does muzzle velocity really matter? Hunters and shooters love talking about speed. More feet per second. Flatter trajectory. Bigger numbers on the ammo box. But when it comes to real-world bullet performance, muzzle velocity only tells part of the story. In this episode of Ballistics Briefs by Barnes, we break down why impact velocity may matter more than muzzle velocity when it comes to bullet expansion, penetration, and terminal performance. Your bullet does not perform at the muzzle — it performs when it reaches the animal. By that point, distance, drag, ballistic coefficient, cartridge choice, barrel length, and bullet design all influence how fast that projectile is actually traveling. And if the bullet impacts outside of its intended function window, you may not get the expansion or performance you expected. This conversation explains why understanding impact velocity is critical for hunters choosing the right bullet, cartridge, and effective hunting distance.

S2 · E2

22 mag 2026

10:57

Why Copper Bullets Beat Lead—No BS, Just Facts #BallisticsBriefs

When it comes to hunting bullets, the debate never ends—copper vs. lead. In this first edition of Ballistics Briefs, Dale puts Gregg on the clock with one simple challenge: Explain why copper bullets outperform lead—in just 10 minutes. No fluff. No filler. Just straight, hard-hitting insight from decades of experience. From terminal performance and weight retention to penetration, expansion, and real-world hunting results—this is everything you need to know to make the right choice when it matters most. This is Ballistics Briefs—quick hits, deep dives, no wasted time.

S2 · E1

8 mag 2026

9:07

Stagione 1

Inside 8.6 Blackout: Q, LLC & The Launch of Barnes Factory Ammunition

Esplicito

The team from Q, LLC joins the podcast at our Mona, Utah facility for a deep dive into 8.6 Blackout. We break down the radical engineering behind 1:3 and 1:6 fast-twist rates, the rotational physics that turn subsonics into lethal energy, and the push to get 8.6 BLK SAAMI standardized. Plus, we explore why solid copper monolithic bullets are custom-built for high-RPM stability and officially unveil the new line of Barnes Factory 8.6 BLK Ammunition.

S1 · E41

23 set 2026

1:11:18

1 di 6