Wow the reasons here are all over the chart. I have spoken to Barnes people on numerous occasions about this and other issues.
First
You dont step down in weight to boost bullet speed. You CAN step down because the lighter Barnes bullet will penetrate better than a heavier lead based bullet, while fully mushroomed. The 130 will work great on the size pigs you mentioned, and no need to be concerned with it coming apart at the shoulder.
The bullet in the above example did NOT fail, in fact it performed well beyond its designed paramaters. Give Barnes a call and ask them whepat the suggested max impact velocity for that bullet is. Then find me ANY OTHER 130gr bulllet that will match what it did. The bullet was recovered from a dead animal, after nearly a 3600fps impact velocity.
The Savage 1-10 twist will do any 30 cal Barnes up to the 175gr LRX and maybe the 180grs.
Just remember to START them at least. 050" off the lands, and go farther from there. Closer and you will be disappointed.
Also note, in the Barnes manual you will need a factory crimp die for the 130 gr due to the short bearing surface.
Shoot any 165gr lead based bullet into a deer and you will be lucky to recover 60% of its weight. Even if 70% is recovered, the bullet only weighs about 116gr. The 130gr TTSX will retain 90-98% (when used properly) and still weigh more. THAT is why you CAN use a lighter bullet. You can use the 150 with the same results and no crimp die is needed.
Folks like to claim they dont expand and thats why they penetrate, but it opens to about. 6" diameter and blows right through. Both times I used mine they never took a step.
Get the Barnes manual and follow their directions on seating depth.
From a fellow Kalifornian.
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