Sadly have just heard the Woodleigh bullet Co burnt down Geoff will not be rebuilding

Damn that is really sad news !

Well that just flat-out SUCKS!

So sorry to hear. I only conversed with Geoff a few times but what a great guy he is. Maybe someone will pay him to license his bullet designs.

Thats truly unfortunate. I hope everyone is physically alright.

King is dead, long live the king
Someone else will fill the void

That’s a shame!

I use a number of woodleighs for certain rifles.

Hope someone takes over the brand.

I hope everyone is all right.

It will be a major loss to shooters of the old British calibers if Woodleigh does not return.

Glad I saw this. I’m shooting an old Mauser Type B (manufactured in 1904) chambered in 8x57J and Woodleigh is one of the only manufacturers of .318 bullets that I know of. Just ordered some more.

Unbelievable.

Sadly, I have learned that Shirley, Geoff's wife is hospitalized with smoke inhalation. I have not contacted Geoff directly yet, I have contacted his close friend and colleague Graeme Wright, by email, to send condolences and learn if Geoff is OK.
Let's hope there may be a longer term silver lining in this catastrophe??
My thoughts and prayers are with Geoff and Shirley and the whole Woodleigh team.

Terrible loss, I've shot a few elephants, buff, lion, plains game with

Woodleigh bullets & they've always performed well. Even shot a nice

whitetail today with a 400/350 NE Rigby with a Woodleigh bullet.

Sad to hear of this.

I'm am crushed I have used and developed hundreds of loads for clientele and shot thousands of these.

What a loss to the industry but more importantly the loss for Geoff and his family. It is a real tragedy

Sorry to hear of this loss. If you are looking for odd diameters, Hawk Custom bullets makes .318 as well as other unusual calibers. I used their .358 bullets with good success years ago out of a 358JDJ T/C Contender.

I've used his bullets on a half dozen of my most memorable animals.

I hope and pray for his wife's speedy recovery.

I have just learned from Graeme Wright that Geoff's wife Shirley was only hospitalized overnight for observation and released the following day.She is doing well.
Shirley is a key player in the office and an important part of their successful business.

Yes, someone with the capital needs to save this brand.

First North Fork, and now Woodleigh.
Been a bad year for our bullet making friends.☹️

quote:

Originally posted by surefire7:
First North Fork, and now Woodleigh.
Been a bad year for our bullet making friends.☹️

North fork is not out of business. They were bought by some Swedes and are making bullets. Reloading international is the US distributor and have some in stock.

Just an idea, but what if he licensed Woodleigh Bullets to Hornady and we could get Hornady ammunition with Woodleigh bullets. Kind of like buying Federal Premium ammo with Swift A Frames. They could call it Hornady Premium, while still selling their new Hornady bullets. Maybe throw some North Fork's in there as well.

quote:

Originally posted by rolank:
Yes, someone with the capital needs to save this brand.

The current negativity being aired by the anti-hunting crowd not to mention the varying degrees of bans by authorities on the importing of trophies, this famous brand will very likely be abandoned by the owners.

I honestly do not see any other competing manufacturer buying their blueprints either simply because the construction/brand is still that of Woodleigh, no matter how it gets packaged.

If anything, this tragic event will probably herald a design upgrade and marketing of A-Frames and TSX bullets for the large calibers.

I am surprised that Alliant Techsystems, the parent company of Federal Ammunition, hasn't expressed some interest in picking up Woodleigh. But, then I am also surprised that someone hasn't jumped on board to purchase and save Goex black powder either.

If Woodleigh’s desire is to get up and running again, the easiest way across the line is crowdfunding. If BLM protesters can get a fund for their bail money, I would thing there are 1000 hunting enthusiasts who might be willing to give $500 to rebuild a business like Woodleigh. After all, if your $50,000 vintage double is regulated with Woodleighs, seem a small investment to keep the bullets coming.

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:

quote:

Originally posted by rolank:
Yes, someone with the capital needs to save this brand.

The current negativity being aired by the anti-hunting crowd not to mention the varying degrees of bans by authorities on the importing of trophies, this famous brand will very likely be abandoned by the owners.

I honestly do not see any other competing manufacturer buying their blueprints either simply because the construction/brand is still that of Woodleigh, no matter how it gets packaged.

If anything, this tragic event will probably herald a design upgrade and marketing of A-Frames and TSX bullets for the large calibers.

I emailed with Barnes this week and am told they will not be producing .411 tsx bullets til 2023.

I bought WAY more .411 400gr softs and 570Gr .510's than I needed back a couple years ago. Good thing!!!

Too bad, I really like their bullets. Very traditional in keeping with the spirit of DR hunting in Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:

quote:

Originally posted by surefire7:
First North Fork, and now Woodleigh.
Been a bad year for our bullet making friends.☹️

North fork is not out of business. They were bought by some Swedes and are making bullets. Reloading international is the US distributor and have some in stock.

Oh, WOW! Thanks for the info BaxterB!

I’ll be looking them up immediately. I love their bullets, and especially the 430 gr. 404 Jeffery softs for my Dakota.

Thanks again!

quote:

I bought WAY more .411 400gr softs and 570Gr .510's than I needed back a couple years ago

Steve: You know that you cannot have enough! Yes, your purchase was wise! Hope all is well with you and your family.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:

quote:

I bought WAY more .411 400gr softs and 570Gr .510's than I needed back a couple years ago

Steve: You know that you cannot have enough! Yes, your purchase was wise! Hope all is well with you and your family.

Thanks! We're all good.

I just don't shoot the Doubles much anymore. I can't get excited about the travel goat rope. I do hope somebody picks up the slack and starts back manufacturing. I will eventually need more.

I've only used Woodleigh for my .375H&H. Tragic news.

I used Woodleigh for .510, .458 and .375 calibers. I will certainly miss them.

The statement on their website.


Factory Fire

We regret to inform our loyal customers that we had a nasty factory fire on Saturday 27th November. Thankfully no one was injured.

Most of the working production machinery was damaged and all the packed stock was burnt. We do have some unwashed & unpolished stock stored in bulk drums, but we have no way of dealing with it at the moment. It will be available at a later date.

Regarding our Woodleigh Load Manuals, they are on a very slow boat and will not arrive until February.

It will take some time to assess the machinery damage and make a plan for the future.

Thank you for all your texts & emails with your messages of support.

We have no landline, but you can communicate via email at zedfield@iinet.net.au
Regards,
Geoff & Shirley McDonald.

I am truly hoping there is a Silver Lining and a bright light at the end of the tunnel for Geoff and Shirley??!!

Maybe a new beginning, better positioned to their major markets?? The buildings and machinery can be replaced, and hopefully was well insured?? The designs and proprietary processes, and customer lists is where the real value lies!!

We need to give them the support and confidence, and contacts that will make this happen!!

Remember, BARNES, TROPHY BONDED and SWIFT A-FRAME have all thrived under new ownership after maturing from their origins!!

WOODLEIGH can too!!

From here, I have enough loaded ammo and bullets to last a couple of years and by then the Woodleigh bullets should be back on the market.

Also, a big + 1 to the sentiments expressed by 470EDDY

Sad to read but atleast no one got really hurt. But bad enough as it is.

I was a user of their .333cal bullets. A friend of mine here in DK use their 440grain .500 express bullets. There is hopefully still a demand for such bulletmaker in future. The world will hopefully still shoot the oddball calibers.

+2 Agree with 470EDDY as well.

Well, to add insult to injury, I got the last .308 and .338 Woodleigh solids from Midway, Dec. 1, And to date, USPS has lost them

What a tragedy.

They did a great service to the Double Rifle resurgence from the 70s.

Someone else should take over the niche in the market.

Were unable to insure their business I’m told by a source close to the owners.

quote:

Were unable to insure their business I’m told by a source close to the owners.

That's even more tragic!