I didn't use a Barnes X until 1998 - a 165 gr. on a mule deer buck from a 308 Win at under 50 yards. It worked good enough - a bullet through the lungs, and the buck ran 50 yards and piled up. Only reason I used it on the deer was because it's what I had loaded for elk. I tend to think a more frangible bullet would have put that deer down faster.
Aside, I got the Barnes No.1 Handloading Manual in 1992. Still have it. If you want a good laugh, it's hard to beat the Barnes No. 1 manual. Talk about "going where angels fear to tread" loads!
