Asking For Advice From The Elephant Hunters Here.

06 September 2010, 19:49

quote:
Whether the Woodleigh solids work as well as more modern flat nosed solids is another can of worms which has been opened rather extensively on another recent thread.

If you are talking about Ivan's thread about the bullet falling from the ele's trunk...I think it is obvious there that it was lack of velocity probably from an under charged cartridge. There was NO sign of bullet failure on that Woodleigh bullet.

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06 September 2010, 21:11

465H&H

ledvm,

quote:
If you look at writings on bullet failures from folks who have removed a lot of bullets from ele...you will see Woodleighs are over-represented.

I'm not saying your wrong on this but last year I posted a thread asking any one to relate an experience with failure of a Woodleigh solid. I had one response and that bullet only veered a couple of inches off course on a head shot elephant. There was also a report of a GS Custom FN solid veering off course on the same thread. Now consider that there are many more Woodleighs used in Africa than GS or NF flat nosed solids. Woodleighs have been used in several brands of factory loads. None for the GS or NF. Between JPK and my self we have used over 150 RN steel Jacketed solids on dangerous game without ant failures. If they do fail it must be exceedingly rare.

I am always open to changing my mind if evidence comes forth. I thought I was pretty up to date on reported bullet failures but maybe I have missed some. Please list some of these reported failures.

465H&H

06 September 2010, 22:02

ledvm

quote:
Please list some of these reported failures.

Ok...I am talking off the top of my head with out checking. And I agree lots of ele shot with Woodleighs so if they are over-represented in failure...maybe cause lots are shot.

But...Ganyana wrote an article a few years ago published in African Hunter with a lot of pictures of bullets dissected out of ele. If...I remember correctly...many of the deformed bullets were Woodleigh. In Kevin's book...a lot of the deformed bullet pics are Woodleighs.

Just about every deformed solid picture I have ever seen was a Woodleigh or a few older Barnes.

Thus far...I have not heard of a deformed off course NF FNS and since you are quoting JPK...He is the one who got me started on NF's and shoots them hisself...albeit...I have never heard him bad-mouth Woodleighs. As I have said...I have NO experience with Woodleighs either. Just seems that every time I read a bout a deformed and/or veered off course solid...it is a Woodleigh.

Correct me where wrong.

07 September 2010, 02:59

465H&H

I also have shot NF solids into elephant. I don't bad mouth them either. But that doesn't mean Woodleighs deform or veer.

Here are some FN solids that some woiuuld consider failures.

465H-H

07 September 2010, 09:09

465H&H

quote:
Originally posted by 465H&H:
I also have shot NF solids into elephant. I don't bad mouth them either. But that doesn't mean Woodleighs deform or veer.

Here are some FN solids that some would consider failures.

465H-H

07 September 2010, 18:23

ledvm

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 465H&H:

/QUOTE]

I recognize the Barnes which I mentioned as well. In my book...not sure they classify as a true FNS...more of a modified RNS.

07 September 2010, 18:31

ledvm

http://forums.accuratereloadin...=643101959&f=1411043

http://forums.accuratereloadin...041077931#4041077931

A quote from a fellow shooter/hunter:

"Sometimes I think the Woodleigh FMJ is a cult of sorts. I don't understand it myself. I used to do a lot of handgun shooting in my youth. Guys would spend a couple of $1000 dollars on expensive 45 acp 1911s. Myself included. Some would malfunction on a regular basis, but ask the guy if his handgun is reliable and he will tell you it's 100% reliable, never once jammed ever. But just last weeks match you watched while that same gun could not get a magazine thru it without a malfunction. Same thing here I think."

07 September 2010, 19:34

465H&H

quote:
Originally posted by ledvm:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=643101959&f=1411043

http://forums.accuratereloadin...041077931#4041077931

A quote from a fellow shooter/hunter:

"Sometimes I think the Woodleigh FMJ is a cult of sorts. I don't understand it myself. I used to do a lot of handgun shooting in my youth. Guys would spend a couple of $1000 dollars on expensive 45 acp 1911s. Myself included. Some would malfunction on a regular basis, but ask the guy if his handgun is reliable and he will tell you it's 100% reliable, never once jammed ever. But just last weeks match you watched while that same gun could not get a magazine thru it without a malfunction. Same thing here I think."

It isn't a cult. It is just that a lot of elephant hunters have used Woodleigh solids with complete satisfaction on a heck of a lot of elephant. You use what you know works.

levdm,

I believe the bullets are Trophy Bonded Sledghammer, Nosler solid and GS ccustom in that order. I may be wrong on the GS Custom though.

465H&H

07 September 2010, 20:06

mouse93

quote:
Originally posted by 465H&H:

465H-H

465 those are not GS's but 9,3mm 300gr Bridgers - too loooong for 14" twist at close range...if they'd be 286gr or even better 265gr they'd still be flying around.

07 September 2010, 22:37

Michael Robinson

I have only killed two bulls, but my handloads with Woodleigh steel jacketed solids (600 grains) on the first, and Barnes banded solids (570 grains) on the second, did the job very well in both cases.

I'd be willing to use either of them again, and would do so with great confidence.

07 September 2010, 23:34

ledvm

quote:
I believe the bullets are Trophy Bonded Sledghammer, Nosler solid and GS ccustom in that order. I may be wrong on the GS Custom though

Yes after looking again...you are absolutely correct. I stand corrected.

08 September 2010, 00:03

larryshores

http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7331060131

You may want to read this.

08 September 2010, 02:03

ledvm

Yes when one's only option was a model T flatbed truck to conduct a safari from...well...drive the model T!

But if I had the option of a model T flatbed truck or a 2010 Toyota Land Cruizer to hunt ele from...well...

08 September 2010, 17:00

wombat

Suggest you read
http://forums.accuratereloadin...1411043/m/643101959?
and
http://forums.accuratereloadin...411043/m/2411024931?
Have just done some target work today with the new Woodies-at 25 mts they all went basically through the same hole right on the sights.
Will tell you how they perform on elephant.

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09 September 2010, 02:54

ledvm

quote:
Originally posted by tc458:
North Fork,

Thanks again for the discount on your bullets. I would never have dreamed that three .458-500 solids would group .407 at 50 yards--but they just did. Amazing!

Check your computer, I need two more boxes!

Tom

From another thread.

09 September 2010, 02:58

ledvm

quote:
Originally posted by ledvm:
quote:
Originally posted by tc458:
North Fork,

Thanks again for the discount on your bullets. I would never have dreamed that three .458-500 solids would group .407 at 50 yards--but they just did. Amazing!

Check your computer, I need two more boxes!

Tom

From another thread.

I have shot 3-hole touching clover leafs at 100 yards several times with my old M-70 Win .458 WM and 450 gr NF FNS's.

They'll shoot, and punch a deep straight hole!

09 September 2010, 19:26

Muletrain

Buzz Charlton's elephant hunting video has arrived. Very informative. Thanks Biebs, and the others who recommended it.

What a treat to see some of the folks who post hunting reports here shooting elephants in the video!