New Product Highlight: Barnes Reserve Specialty Ammunition
Got an oddball rifle you can’t find ammo for? Barnes Reserve might get that old rifle out of the safe and into the field.
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If you’re like us, you love shooting unique cartridges that are off the beaten path. The trouble is finding somewhere to buy the ammo.
The new line of Barnes Reserve ammo aims to change that by making uncommon cartridges a little more accessible.
The initial batch includes six hot-rodded loads that should fire up enthusiasts of high-brow hunting rifles.
Barnes Reserve Specs & Features
Specs
- Intended Use: Hunting
- Cartridges: .257 Wby Mag, 6.8 Western, 6.5-284 Norma, .300 Super WSM, 7mm SAUM, .300 SAUM
- Bullet: Barnes LRX
- Country of Origin: USA
- MSRP: $99 - $119
Features
- Supports uncommon cartridges
- Barnes LRX bullets
- Hand-loaded to match specs
All of these new cartridges use Barnes LRX bullets. The construction of these boat tail bullets is solid copper. A polymer tip in the nose cavity improves their ballistic coefficient and improves expansion.
According to Barnes, all Reserve ammunition is hand-loaded to match specifications. Reaching out and shooting big game animals at western hunting distances won't be a problem.
If you use any of these cartridges for PRS-style shooting, they should be up to that task, as well.
| Weight | Ballistic Coefficient (G7) | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy | 500-Yard Velocity | 500-Yard Energy | Price(Box of 20) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .257 Wby Mag | 101 gr | 0.194 | 3,500 fps | 2,748 ft-lbs | 2,312 fps | 1,200 ft-lbs | $99 |
| 6.8 Western | 155 gr | 0.254 | 2,960 fps | 2,670 ft-lbs | 2,148 fps | 1,588 ft-lbs | $99 |
| 6.5-284 Norma | 127 gr | 0.229 | 3,060 fps | 2,641 ft-lbs | 2,116 fps | 1,263 ft-lbs | $114 |
| .300 Super WSM | 212 gr | 0.367 | 2,800 fps | 3,692 ft-lbs | 2,186 fps | 2,250 ft-lbs | $114 |
| 7mm SAUM | 145 gr | 0.221 | 3,125 fps | 3,796 ft-lbs | 2,132 fps | 1,767 ft-lbs | $119 |
| .300 SAUM | 175 gr | 0.247 | 3,000 fps | 3,498 ft-lbs | 2,134 fps | 1,771 ft-lbs | $119 |
“We’re really excited to launch Barnes Reserve and offer this to our diehard fan base,” Dale Evans, marketing manager at Barnes Bullets, said.
“It was important to us to provide an option for shooters who demand more niche offerings in cartridges that traditionally haven’t received much manufacturer support. The Reserve line also gives us the flexibility to respond quickly to consumer feedback and create new products based on evolving demand. We’re proud to release this premium, handloaded option in perfect time before hunting season to help our consumers have the highest success in the field.”
Barnes lists a starting MSRP of $99 for a box of Reserve ammunition.
What do you think of the new Barnes Reserve ammo? Jump in the comments and let us know which underserved cartridge you’d like to see next. For more bizarre fun, check out our guide to the Weirdest & Craziest Ammo Out There!