Ammo Reports Team
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Long-range precision rifle · Competition · Target shooting |
| Bullet Type | Match Burner OTM BT — Open Tip Match Boat Tail, lead-core |
| Bullet Weight | 140 gr |
| Case Material | Brass (premium, reloadable) |
| Primer Type | Boxer, centerfire |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box · 10 boxes per case (200 rounds) |
| Typical Price | $53.99/box · $2.70/round |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady Match 260 Rem 140 gr ELD-M · Federal Gold Medal 260 Rem 140 gr Sierra MatchKing · Black Hills Gold 260 Rem 140 gr Berger Hybrid OTM |
Official Specs
Data verified against multiple established retailers (OpticsPlanet, BattleHawk Armory, BigDaddy Unlimited) and cross-referenced with Barnes product page.
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 2,735 fps | Multiple retailers confirmed (blackbasin.com, steerior.com) |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | ~2,325 ft-lbs | Calculated: 140 gr × 2,735² ÷ 450,400 |
| Bullet Weight | 140 gr | Barnes |
| Bullet Type | Match Burner OTM BT — Open Tip Match Boat Tail, long boat-tail, lead-core | Barnes |
| BC G1 | 0.586 | Multiple retailers confirmed (two independent sources) |
| BC G7 | — | Not published |
| Manufacturer SKU | 30742 | Barnes / multiple retailers |
| UPC | 716876022489 | OpticsPlanet / BigDaddy Unlimited |
| Reloadable | Yes | Premium brass |
ME note: Barnes does not publish muzzle energy for this load. The ~2,325 ft-lbs figure is calculated from the published 2,735 fps muzzle velocity. Doppler radar generated drop tables are available by scanning the QR code on each box — Barnes includes this for every Precision Match load, providing load-specific exterior ballistics from their own testing.
Ballistics Table
Calculated from published MV (2,735 fps) and BC G1 (0.586). Zero: 100 yards. Sight height: 1.5″. Scan the QR code on the box for Barnes’ own Doppler radar generated drop tables.
Calculated estimate based on published MV and BC. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature, altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzle velocity for comparison.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~2,735 | ~2,325 | +1.5 |
| 100 | ~2,591 | ~2,087 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 200 | ~2,454 | ~1,872 | -7.0 |
| 300 | ~2,324 | ~1,679 | -20.3 |
| 400 | ~2,201 | ~1,506 | -41.0 |
| 500 | ~2,085 | ~1,351 | -70.3 |
Key takeaway: the BC of 0.586 places this load in the upper tier of 260 Remington match loads — above the Sierra MatchKing (~0.535) and competitive with the Hornady ELD-M (~0.610). At 300 yards ~1,679 ft-lbs retained with 20.3 inches of drop from a 100-yard zero. At 500 yards the load carries ~1,351 ft-lbs. For competition at 300–600 yards, the trajectory is flat and manageable. Barnes’ own Doppler radar data printed in QR form on each box is a genuine differentiator — few factory match loads provide this level of load-specific ballistic documentation.
The Match Burner OTM BT and Precision Match Line
Barnes is primarily known for its all-copper expanding hunting bullets (TTSX, LRX families), making the Precision Match line a deliberate departure into the match/target segment. The Match Burner OTM BT is Barnes’ proprietary match bullet — not to be confused with their hunting projectiles. Key design elements:
Open tip match design: the open tip is a manufacturing precision artifact of the jacket-drawing process, not an expansion mechanism. It allows tighter jacket-to-core concentricity than a closed-tip design — the same principle as the Sierra MatchKing. Long boat-tail: Barnes emphasizes the extended boat-tail as a key BC contributor, reducing base drag and turbulence. Form-fitted lead core: the core is fitted to the jacket contours to prevent internal voids that would affect rotational stability.
Barnes states this line uses temperature-stable propellant specifically selected for low extreme spread (ES) and standard deviation (SD) across varying conditions. Barnes also notes this ammunition “produces a level of consistency that’s difficult to match even when handloading” — a strong claim that community chronograph submissions will allow users to verify.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Long-range precision rifle competition (PRS-style, NRL, F-Class) at 300–600 yards
- Shooters who want Doppler radar verified drop tables specific to their load from the factory — scan the QR code on the box
- Bolt-action rifles chambered in 260 Remington requiring match-grade ammunition with documented low ES/SD
- Reloaders who want quality premium Barnes brass from initial firing for subsequent handloads
- Temperature-sensitive shooting environments — cold-weather matches or significant altitude variation where propellant consistency matters
Not the right tool for:
- Hunting — OTM BT is not designed for terminal expansion on game; use Barnes TTSX or LRX for hunting
- Budget practice — at $2.70/round, high-volume range sessions are expensive; alternatives like Hornady Match ELD-M run $1.90–2.20/round
- 6.5 Creedmoor or other 6.5mm rifles — this load is chambered in 260 Remington; the two cartridges are not interchangeable despite the same bullet diameter
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Barnes states the Precision Match line uses temperature-stable propellant selected for minimum ES and SD, with premium brass providing dimensional consistency. Barnes also supplies precision ammunition to military units and applies the same manufacturing standards commercially. Open-source forum reports from the precision rifle community describe this load as producing tight groups from 1:8 twist bolt-action rifles. The QR code Doppler radar drop tables on each box provide load-specific exterior ballistics — a genuinely useful reference tool that Barnes publishes for every Precision Match load. All notes reflect manufacturer claims and open-source community observations, not structured data.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Match 260 Rem 140 gr ELD-M | 140 gr | ELD-M | ~0.610 | ~2,695 fps | ~$38–44 | Higher BC, lower velocity, $10–16/box less |
| Federal Gold Medal 260 Rem 140 gr Sierra MatchKing | 140 gr | Sierra MatchKing | ~0.535 | ~2,750 fps | ~$42–50 | Lower BC, established match standard |
| Black Hills Gold 260 Rem 140 gr Berger Hybrid OTM | 140 gr | Berger Hybrid OTM | ~0.630 | ~2,750 fps | ~$55–62 | Highest BC option in class, comparable price |
| Nosler Match Grade 260 Rem 140 gr CC HPBT | 140 gr | Custom Competition HPBT | ~0.490 | ~2,750 fps | ~$45–52 | Lower BC, Nosler brass |
Price Reality
- Typical retail: $53.99 per 20-round box (~$2.70/round); case (200 rounds / 10 boxes) available through some retailers
- Hornady Match ELD-M runs $1.90–2.20/round — the budget alternative with higher BC; the most direct value challenge
- Black Hills Gold Berger Hybrid OTM offers higher BC (~0.630) at a comparable price — the premium competition in this tier
- The Doppler radar QR code on each box and Barnes’ military-grade consistency standards partially justify the premium over Hornady Match ELD-M for competition shooters who want factory-verified drop data
- Under $56/box is competitive for premium match 260 Rem ammunition; above $62/box strains the case against Black Hills and Hornady alternatives
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Barnes Precision Match 260 Remington 140 Grain OTM BT (Box)
Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.
FAQ
Is the Barnes Precision Match 140 gr OTM BT suitable for deer hunting?
The OTM BT (Open Tip Match) bullet is engineered for precision accuracy, not controlled terminal expansion on game. The open tip is a manufacturing artifact for jacket concentricity, not an expansion mechanism. Most state wildlife agencies prohibit or discourage match-grade OTM projectiles for big game hunting. Hunters should look at the Barnes TTSX or LRX hunting lines instead.
How does this compare to Hornady Match ELD-M for 260 Rem competition?
The Hornady ELD-M has a higher BC (~0.610 vs 0.586) and costs $10–16/box less — making it the stronger value buy for most competition shooters. Barnes Precision Match differentiates with lower ES/SD claims from temperature-stable propellant and the unique Doppler radar QR code drop tables on each box. For shooters who specifically want factory-verified exterior ballistics data for competition planning, Barnes’ QR system is a genuine advantage over Hornady’s approach.
What barrel twist rate is needed for 140 gr in 260 Remington?
A 1:8 twist barrel is the standard recommendation for stabilizing 140 gr match projectiles in 260 Remington. Some 1:9 twist barrels stabilize 140 gr adequately depending on bullet length and atmospheric conditions, but 1:8 is more reliable for this weight class. Shooters with older 260 Rem rifles should verify their twist rate before purchasing — some early production rifles were barreled with slower twists suited to lighter bullets.
What is the Doppler radar QR code on each box?
Barnes generates exterior ballistics data for each Precision Match load using Doppler radar — the most accurate method for measuring bullet deceleration across full trajectory. The QR code on each box links to drop tables derived from this testing, specific to that load. This is a genuine performance differentiator: most factory match ammunition provides only muzzle velocity and a single BC value. Barnes provides load-specific trajectory data from real flight testing that can be plugged directly into a ballistic solver for competition use.
Does Barnes Precision Match 260 Rem have any known lot issues or recalls?
No active recalls or publicly documented lot-specific issues were identified at the time of publication. Barnes has not issued any formal safety notices for this load. As with any factory ammunition, inspect cases and projectiles before use and report anomalies to Barnes directly. This page will be updated if recall or safety information becomes available.
Submit Your Data · Real-World Results
Manufacturer velocity figures are measured under controlled lab conditions — barrel length, temperature, and lot number all affect real-world performance. The data below comes from community submissions tied to specific test conditions and reviewed before publishing.
Once this page reaches 3 approved submissions, aggregate velocity and confidence level will appear here automatically.
| UPC # | Firearm | Barrel (in) | Avg Velocity (fps) | Shots | Temp (°F) | Chronograph | Lot | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 716876022489 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet |
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