I called Barnes to compare my results with the company's data. Customer support rep Dave Card assured me my charge weights actually fell in the middle of Barnes' tested loads. However, he stated, "That rifle obviously has a 'fast' barrel because your velocities exceed our max loads' results. How does it group?"

I replied, "Three shots, 2 inches high and well under an inch at 100 yards. And dead on at 200." We agreed my rifle and ammo were ready for the trip to Wyoming, and a few days and a couple thousand miles later, we were on the prairies scouting our prey.

Surprise would be the order of the day, as a small group of antelope coming around a hill spooked my guide and me as much as we spooked them. We maneuvered so I had a good shot at the leader at maybe 100 yards. Realizing that my shot window was quickly closing, I hurriedly aligned the crosshairs just behind the shoulder. Just as I started to squeeze the trigger, he bolted, and I attempted to follow as the shot broke.

It surely wasn't buck fever, I simply took a shot I wasn't prepared for. The antelope dropped, but it immediately jumped back up and bolted away from us with a noticeable hobble. My guide Ty drove ahead and stopped so I could set up for another shot, which I hurried and missed!

While consciously condemning myself, I grimly resolved to finish the task. It's true, you have to put the bullet in the right place to achieve a sure kill, and when I calmed down enough to take that last shot, the buck dropped like a rock. Upon examination, my first round struck about a foot too far back, but the third bullet punched through both lungs.

Before the hunt, I had asked Brooks whether my rifle or the new bullet should get credit for a successful hunt. When it was over, it was obvious both had performed superbly--much better than I had!