Ammo Reports Team
| Official Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Barnes |
| Cartridge | 260 Remington |
| Product Line | Precision Match |
| Bullet Name / Bullet Type | Match Burner OTM BT – open-tip match boat tail |
| Bullet Weight | 140 gr |
| SKU / Part Number / Item Number | 30742 |
| UPC | 716876022489 |
| Rounds per Box | 20 |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,735 fps |
| Muzzle Energy | 2,326 ft-lbs |
| Ballistic Coefficient G1 | 0.586 |
| Ballistic Coefficient G7 | Not found |
| Case Material | Brass – retailer-listed |
| Primer | Boxer – retailer-listed |
| Reloadable | Yes – retailer-listed |
| Test Barrel Length | 24″ |
| Zero Distance | 100 yards |
| Sight Height | 2.0″ |
| Intended Use | Competition; precision target shooting |
| Product Status | Current |
| 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, Nosler Match Grade 260 Rem 140 gr CC HPBT |
Data is based on official manufacturer sources. Found an error? Send us the source link.
Official Ballistics
Official Barnes ballistics for SKU 30742. Zero: 100 yards. Sight height: 2.0 inches. Barnes does not publish wind drift for this table, so no wind column is included.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2,735 | 2,326 | -2.0 |
| 100 | 2,581 | 2,071 | 0 |
| 200 | 2,433 | 1,841 | -3.2 |
| 300 | 2,290 | 1,631 | -12.3 |
| 400 | 2,151 | 1,439 | -28.1 |
| 500 | 2,017 | 1,265 | -51.3 |
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
- 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
The full comparison set is preserved. Exact published AmmoReports reviews are linked where available; unverified competitor specifications are not presented as official data.
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Advertised Velocity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Match 260 Rem 140 gr ELD-M | 140 gr | ELD-M | Not verified | Not verified | Match and target alternative |
| Federal Gold Medal 260 Rem 140 gr Sierra MatchKing | 140 gr | Sierra MatchKing | Not verified | Not verified | Established match alternative |
| Black Hills Gold 260 Rem 140 gr Berger Hybrid OTM | 140 gr | Berger Hybrid OTM | Not verified | Not verified | Premium match alternative |
| Nosler Match Grade 260 Rem 140 gr CC HPBT | 140 gr | Custom Competition HPBT | Not verified | Not verified | Match alternative loaded with Nosler brass |
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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