I have read a few posts where hunters have reported glowing results with GS custom bullets. It has been stated that they are extremely accurate and their performance on game is quite good. I have not used GS bullets (yet), but have experience with X bullets. I've found that certain X bullets just won't shoot well from particular guns (despite changing powders, seating depth,etc..). They also tend to foul barrels a lot. On the other hand, their performance on game has been excellent. Tremendous penetration and weight retention.

I would be interested to hear comparisons of the two bullets by people who have used BOTH X bullets and GS's. Are the GS's worth the extra difficulty in getting them?

JohnDL, In a word yes.

I have found Barnes X are very finicky. They shoot is some guns and don't in others. They copper up some barrels and don't others. You also have to watch preasure and OAL very carefully.

With the GS Custom HV bullets I just wstarted at the best loading for the rifle and started stepping it up a grain at a time until I reached max velocity. Then I worked from their for accuracy. With the two loads, 338, 225 grain and 375, 265 grain, both cut cloverleafs or near cloverleafs at the max load. With the 375 I found that the solid (FN) was .5 inch lower than the HV. I have had no copper build up with either of the bullets. I get about 100 fps higher velocity with the GS Custom bullets over the other bullets of equal weight.

I also have found them no more difficult to get than an order from Midway. They just take longer to get here. After all Africa is Africa.

Good Hunting
Steve

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Every man dies, but not every man really lives!!

[This message has been edited by Santala (edited 08-27-2001).]

The Barnes seem to be picky about the barrel - not just the load. I have been generally unable to find a good load for Barnes in several calibers in factory rifles. They seem to do well in custom barrels, but don't like factory barrels.

I have only used the GS Custom bullets in my factory 416, but they shot very well. Going by (I think now) six reported examples of GS bullets in factory barrels, they all shot well. I have not seen a single report of poor groups with the GS Custom HVs or FNs. (The HP is similar to a Barnes.)

Santa reports slow delivery from GS right now. This has happened before and will happen again. You need to order them months ahead of your hunt - although 2/4 weeks is normal for air/surface.

You can order them on your credit card as if it was Midway, but it does take longer.

Don

Honestly, I have not found much difference between the XLC's and the G.S. as far as shooting in my (factory) rifles. Both show acceptable accuracy, which is to say under 1.5 m.o.a. The G.S. HV's have so far beat that standard handily, while the XLC's have just met it. I haven't shot the H.V.'s on game yet, but the XLC's are the closest thing I have seen to a death ray. This season will tell.

The delivery thing is something that needs work, though. This is the age of instant gratification, after all...... ;-). Or do good things come to those who wait? Dutch.

I have only tried the GS Flat nose solids and they are the absolute best including in my double rifle...My PH has used them extensively for several years on elephant and Buffalo in Botswana and will use nothing else....

I have some HP's being brought back by my last RSA hunter and will be shooting some of them soon...

We just have a cornocopia of great bullets comming out lately, GS, Northfork, the new heavy Woodleighs, and the Rhino bullets.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Ray,
I hope you mean HV's instead of HP's. The HP is the one that is basically like a moly-coated Barnes X. The HV and FN have the driving band "technology" while the HP does not.

From my limited experience (growing by leaps and bounds) the HV and FN bullets will foul less and be easier on the rifling of antique Rigby's and double rifles. They are more accurate in general than Barnes X bullets, and just as tough in the HV expanding bullet.

The FN, as you say, and I paraphrase, is the cat's meow of solid bullets.

With the FN and HV you may also get lower pressures or higher velocities, whichever you prefer.

Best quality bullets for sure.

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Good huntin' and shootin',
RAB