Both of these bullets are .400" 155-grain hollow points. The all-coper XPB (l.) is obviously longer because copper weighs less than lead and requires unique loading data.

Not content to sit on their laurels with successful rifle bullets, Barnes also introduced the all-copper technology into such unique products as the XPB pistol bullet and the Expander MZ muzzleloader bullet.

Both the XPB and earlier Barnes Reloading Manual Number 3 were introduced back in 2001, but loading data for handgun bullets didn't make it into that manual. Instead, Taurus marketed 20-round boxes of "Advanced Handgun Cartridges" loaded by PMC using Hodgdon powder and XPBs, which the company called the "Hex Bullet." Clearly, the idea of an all-copper handgun bullet that expanded reliably and predictably and that retained most if not all of its original weight was a success, as Barnes expanded the XPB line, and by 2006 it included bullets for calibers ranging from .380 Auto to .500 S&W Magnum.

As with the rifle data, you won't find watered-down loads in the handgun section, either. For example, data for the 275-grain .500 S&W Magnum indicates maximum loads with velocities significantly higher than Federal factory loads using the same bullet.

Manual Number 4 includes data for all of Barnes' currently produced muzzleloading bullets including the Spit-Fire TMZ.

Data in the muzzleloader section of Manual Number 4 covers .45, .50, and .54 calibers. All of Barnes' currently offered bullets--MZ; the pointed, boattail Spit-Fire MZ; and the tipped, boattail Spit-Fire TMZ--are included with loads using Pyrodex powder or pellets, Triple Se7en powder or pellets, and Goex blackpowder.

Beyond the handloading data, Barnes Reloading Manual Number 4 has the basic handloading instructions as you would expect. It also has interesting chapters on shooting and maintenance from writers such as Craig Boddington and Sam Fadala and concludes with extensive ballistic tables that shooters are so fond of pouring over. Lastly, one thing I really like about this manual is the personal touch afforded by customer photos that heavily illustrates not only the manual with great shots customers have made, but also the degree of success Barnes has had in bringing what was honestly a really strange product to the market so many years ago.