Federal BOR Lock MZ bullets

[Lotus]

Any help is greatly appreciated. Ive been attempting to locate the Federal BOR Lock MZ 350 grain .50 cal. bullets for black powder season. I have successfully used Barnes MZ Expanders for years and believe they are the best bullet out there. My question is this, has anyone successfully used the Federal BOR Lock bullets and how do they compare to Barnes MZ Expanders? Also, if your a Federal BOR LOCK fan, where can you find them to purchase?

 

[ElDiablo]

The 350 gr BOR Locks have been impossible to find for some time. You see the 270 copper versions for sale but not the lead. A bunch of us stocked up on the 350s (seconds) from Grice Gun Shop last year. So if you got in a pinch someone could send you a few I’m sure.

Lots of info on this forum about them. @txhunter58 killed a bull last year with the 350.

Here’s one thread

https://www.modernmuzzleloader.com/threads/350-b-o-r-lock.42124/#post-393211
Tough to beat a Barnes though.

 

[SparkPlug]

My only BOR lock experience Is the 270 grain. It's all I use for hunting in my in-line.
The one in the pic was recovered from a doe I shot last season. Dropped where she stood. Traditions Buckstalker 50 cal/2 50gr 777 pellets/BOR Lock 270gr at 150yds. Found it on the back side when I skinned her.

 

[txhunter58]

350 gr BOR lock recovered from an elk under the hide on the far side.

 

[SparkPlug]

View attachment 33457
350 gr BOR lock recovered from an elk under the hide on the far side.

I love seeing recovered rounds. What gun/load/range?

 

[biggamehunter78]

What’s you reason for wanting to switch from Barnes? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?

 

[Lotus]

Excellent advice, except I like the fact the Federal BOR Lock has a built in sabot to it. It's part of the bullet and it cleans the barrel when you ram the bullet down!

 

[biggamehunter78]

I can’t say too much. I’ve used Barnes for almost 2 decades - the gold standard. Out of myself and 4 others in my team that use them, we’ve never lost an animal as long as we did our part. That’s saying something. Deer pass thru. Elk, not so much. Always fatal but more than 50% of the time the slug is under the offside hide and sometimes isn’t as quick lethality as I wanted. But maybe that’s just because some of those suckers are tougher than nails! I really want two holes thru for security and tracking. So this last season I went with Hornady SST and that’s what I got. Thru and thru and quick down. Had success with SST in the past but I decided our success with Barnes shouldn’t be messed with. Obviously this is only in states that are sabot legal. Still working on the magic pill for the full bore states. Long winded way to say don’t mess with success even though I did, but have removed my head and got back on track.

 

[txhunter58]

I love seeing recovered rounds. What gun/load/range?

Knight 50 cal LRH. 90 gr V of BH 209 and the 350 gr Federal BOR lead bullet. 35ish yards

Has a skirt, not really a sabot, so it is legal in Colorado. Wouldn't hesitate to use it again. That said, if sabots were legal, I would prob use Barnes.

 

[txhunter58]

View attachment IMG_6668.MOV

 

[ElDiablo]

That video gets my heart going ever time I watch it, Tex!

 

[txhunter58]

See the bullet’s resting place in this pic?

 

[txhunter58]

Mine too!

 

[ElDiablo]

The other option I’d consider are the Thors (made by Barnes) - a full bore option like the Bore Drivers with the Barnes performance. No “Crud-cutting base” but that’s a little over-rated IMO anyway.

 

[txhunter58]

BTW Diablo, I am in your state at the moment! Watched grandson get a silver metal in 4x100 relay in Carson City and granddaughter dance in a Competition! And that was all yesterday!

 

[txhunter58]

What’s you reason for wanting to switch from Barnes? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?

I can think of 2 reasons:

Legality in the state you are hunting

Availability.

BTW. I killed that bull with a factory “second”

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Any word on the new 340 gr Bore Drivers?

 

[ElDiablo]

Any word on the new 340 gr Bore Drivers?

I’ve read “spring 2023” and “second quarter 2023” availability.

 

[bronko220002]

See my thread "took the 700 out". I shot the 350 Borelock and 290 TEZs side by side.
I picked up 7 packs of the Federals this past winter for $12 a pack. They were seconds - loose tips. But shot great. I did find that my spinjag loading tip wasn't the best for them as it cut into the tip and pulled one bullet out of the plastic sleeve.