My 'new' African Light Rifle, a '59 Coltsman in 300H&H, has a marked preference for 220 gr RN bullets. Is there a difference in field performance between the Woodleighs and the Hornadys? I usually use A-Frames, but this rifle likes the 220's. Would appreciate any experiences on African game...

I believe the woodleighs are bonded and the Hornadys are not.

Seems to make no difference as the bullet is so long that the non bonded bullets don't separate anyway.

If you rifle likes them then use them. In the .300 H&H you'll have sufficient range that the lack of a spitzer bullet won't be noticed at all.

RN Woodleighs are a bit stronger than Hornady SPs and the Protected points are stronger again.

Mate this is my pet cal. just love it.i also agree with ozhunter. I shoot 180grn woodliegh protected points in mine and have used it in africa. it was great on plains game,never had the need to use the 220grn. If you try the 180grn woodleighs use the 308 pp's rather than the 300 pp's for some reason i find them better. Hope this helps

My 721 shoots the 180-grain protected points well enough. 220-grainer Partitions work fine also. The Woodleighs don't group as well or travel as far as TSX's or SPEERs at the same loading.

Thanks guys. For some reason, this rifle didnt like any of the 180s I tried (Scirocco, Sierra, Hornady, Nosler), but did like Rem 220 & Hornady 220. I figured 220 in the H&H wouldnt handicap me, as far as range goes, as the traj would be similar to the 375 or 416. Hornadys will probably get the nod...

I shot the 220 gr Hornady RN in Zim in 2005. It was an incredibly accurate bullet in my .300 WM. I was driving it right at 2,800 fps. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on anything you should be shooting with a 300.

Here's a picture of one out of a Sable taken at about 100 yds.



And here's a 10 shot group at 100 yds. 10 consecutive shots that is.

Sold on the Hornady. Gun shoots them well @ +-2550fps, classic African load. Thanks guys for the confidence in the bullet. Punda better look out...

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Nderobo:
Sold on the Hornady. Gun shoots them well @ +-2550fps, classic African load. Thanks guys for the confidence in the bullet. Punda better look out...

I use the 300gr in my 375 @ 2390 feet/sec and 180gr in my 308 @ 2350f/sec kills everytime. That is the interlocks

In my opinion its all about the speed they don't like to travel fast then they break up.

I used Barnes on a kudu at 50yds en then at +/- 100 yds on Eland, on both excellent performance.
Used a hornady on a warthog at 50yds, disintegrated completely and left a big mess.
All bullets I load to +/- 3000fps.

At that speed Im not surprised. I'm also assuming it was not a 220 you used. I agree with 375 Fanatic, keep things at or under 2500fps, and bullets perform a whole lot different. My safari experiences have shown that you can make long shots with 375's and 416's, and most shots are under 200yds, so that speed isnt necessary. If 300+yds is on the menu, Id switch to my 300WinMag. But at this velocity, Im sure the 220 gr Hornady will do the job in a classic fashion.

You are right, I prefer 180gr in my .300 win mag for flatter trajectory, distances can vary greately, I shot an Oryx at 300yds and kudu at 50 in 2009 to name a few.
I'm keen to try the new GMX from hornady for plains game once my current batch of barnes are finished.
For 300H&H in Africa I would pick an alrounder premium bullet flat trajectory. Woodleigh protected point 180gr @2800-3000fps would be my choice if limited to Hornady SP and Woodleigh.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Nderobo:
At that speed Im not surprised. I'm also assuming it was not a 220 you used. I agree with 375 Fanatic, keep things at or under 2500fps, and bullets perform a whole lot different. My safari experiences have shown that you can make long shots with 375's and 416's, and most shots are under 200yds, so that speed isnt necessary. If 300+yds is on the menu, Id switch to my 300WinMag. But at this velocity, Im sure the 220 gr Hornady will do the job in a classic fashion.

Just realised you have a win mag too. Then use what you are comfortable with, what are you planning to shoot ?

General run of plains game. Ive become addicted to Buffalo, so most of the PG I'll hunt will probably be in conjuction with them (or Leopard or Ele, finances allowing). I was thinking Kudu, Zebra, Wildebeest, etc. I used a 300WM on my first safari to RSA, and with 200 gr A-Frames, it worked fine. I bought the 300H&H because it was an African classic, no other reason, and the heavy bullets are where I found the accuracy. I own two 300WM, and use them here in North America. I liked the idea of having a 300H&H, 375H&H and 416Rem for Africa. Having made two of my longest shots with the 375 & 416, I learned that hold over is hold over, and if you know the gun, it really doesnt matter. Having said that, I'll probably see the kudu of a lifetime at 400m...

quote:

Originally posted by accit:
You are right, I prefer 180gr in my .300 win mag for flatter trajectory, distances can vary greately, I shot an Oryx at 300yds and kudu at 50 in 2009 to name a few.
I'm keen to try the new GMX from hornady for plains game once my current batch of barnes are finished.
For 300H&H in Africa I would pick an alrounder premium bullet flat trajectory. Woodleigh protected point 180gr @2800-3000fps would be my choice if limited to Hornady SP and Woodleigh.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Nderobo:
At that speed Im not surprised. I'm also assuming it was not a 220 you used. I agree with 375 Fanatic, keep things at or under 2500fps, and bullets perform a whole lot different. My safari experiences have shown that you can make long shots with 375's and 416's, and most shots are under 200yds, so that speed isnt necessary. If 300+yds is on the menu, Id switch to my 300WinMag. But at this velocity, Im sure the 220 gr Hornady will do the job in a classic fashion.

Accit if speed is your thing get the GS Customs you wont look back i get 3300f/sec with the 200gr 375 and 2850 f/sec with the 265gr and the accuracy is great if you want to now more pm me

180 Gr North Forks perform well, retain their weight and expand very consistantly.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bwana Nderobo:
General run of plains game. Ive become addicted to Buffalo, so most of the PG I'll hunt will probably be in conjuction with them (or Leopard or Ele, finances allowing). I was thinking Kudu, Zebra, Wildebeest, etc. [QUOTE]

Very nice, keep us posted on when and where.
Interesting collection, I have 300wm & 458wm, concidering 338wm/lapua. 375H&H also in with a chance.

quote:

Originally posted by 375 fanatic:

quote:

Originally posted by accit:
You are right, I prefer 180gr in my .300 win mag for flatter trajectory, distances can vary greately, I shot an Oryx at 300yds and kudu at 50 in 2009 to name a few.
I'm keen to try the new GMX from hornady for plains game once my current batch of barnes are finished.
For 300H&H in Africa I would pick an alrounder premium bullet flat trajectory. Woodleigh protected point 180gr @2800-3000fps would be my choice if limited to Hornady SP and Woodleigh.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Nderobo:
At that speed Im not surprised. I'm also assuming it was not a 220 you used. I agree with 375 Fanatic, keep things at or under 2500fps, and bullets perform a whole lot different. My safari experiences have shown that you can make long shots with 375's and 416's, and most shots are under 200yds, so that speed isnt necessary. If 300+yds is on the menu, Id switch to my 300WinMag. But at this velocity, Im sure the 220 gr Hornady will do the job in a classic fashion.

Accit if speed is your thing get the GS Customs you wont look back i get 3300f/sec with the 200gr 375 and 2850 f/sec with the 265gr and the accuracy is great if you want to now more pm me

Not really into speed, I have GS customs but prefer TTSX 180gr for .3cal.
Also have 400gr HV GS for the .458wm.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Nderobo:
My 'new' African Light Rifle, a '59 Coltsman in 300H&H, has a marked preference for 220 gr RN bullets. Is there a difference in field performance between the Woodleighs and the Hornadys? I usually use A-Frames, but this rifle likes the 220's. Would appreciate any experiences on African game...

Get a different rifle?

Several months ago I was on a 21 day safari in southern Ethiopia. I was shooting a .300 H&H built by Joe Smithson on a GMA action. The ammunition was loaded by Safari Arms with 180 grain Barnes TSX bullets.

I shot seven animals with this rifle, and two of the shots would rank in the top five of my (luckiest) best shots ever. The extreme hunting conditions coupled with unique trophies added a lot of difficulty mentally and physically to the shots.

The triple shock bullets all preformed well, there might be a better bullet, but I would never change, at least until I miss!

Mr. Stewart: Thats not an option!

And, Mr. Stewart, FYI, my elephant hide wallet is holding up wonderfully!