Hope my question isn't stupid . I know that there are premium bullets out there like the swift A-frame would be considered premium over say a hornady SP. But does it matter which brand bullet you use when using solids for dangerous game. Would the Hornady solid be a good choice for dangerous game ?
Posts: 869 | Location: Bellerose,NY USA | Registered: 27 July 2001
Assuming they're not being used in a double rifle, I personally much prefer a monolithic solid over an FMJ solid. Even with mono solids, some (IMO) are better than others. I've just switched to GS Custom flat nose solids and they seem to have considerably more penetration than the round nose mono solids I was using previously.
I think i have confused solid with FMJ i was looking at the Barnes website there solids seem to be just that but i guess a FMJ is a lead bullet wrapped with in copper is this correct.
Posts: 869 | Location: Bellerose,NY USA | Registered: 27 July 2001
So then its safe to say something like a mono solid from GS or A-square or maybe a barnes banded solid is what you would use on cape buffalo? And would you use this same bullet on lion or coastal brown bears or would you then go to something like a swift a-frame
Posts: 869 | Location: Bellerose,NY USA | Registered: 27 July 2001
I recommend a client use a slow expanding/deep penetrating soft such as a Barnes X or Woodleigh PSP for the 1st shot on Buff - then solids and preferably mono solids for any subsequent follow up.
For cats, I suggest a fast expanding soft such as a Woodleigh SP...... 'fraid I don't know anything about Bears at all, so couldn't advise.
If you have to stick to one kind of soft point for Buff and cats, then the A frame seems to be a pretty good compromise.
In all cases, correct bullet placement, esp for the 1st shot is vital.
Just to add a different bend to the topic, I think that the North Fork bullets beat out almost anything out there for accuracy and performance. The CPS is an expanding solid as is the GS custom. For first shot on buffalo there may be no better bullet made. It will penetrate like hell and not come apart. The FPS is a standard solid and is amazing. Strait line penetration low pressure. I love the North Fork soft points also as they, too, have driving bands for reduced pressure and are extremely accurate in all of my rifles.
square shooter
Posts: 2608 | Location: Moore, Oklahoma, USA | Registered: 28 December 2003
When one compares the high cost of everything else on a safari or any guided hunt, it is foolish not to spend the few dollars more that the best bullets cost! This will likely be the smallest expense of your hunt and potentially the greatest factor in it's success.
An old man sleeps with his conscience, a young man sleeps with his dreams.
Posts: 777 | Location: United States | Registered: 06 March 2006
I have shot 4 elephants with Woodleigh solids. They did a good job. I shot my last bull elephant with a North Fork FP solid, and a giraffe with a cup point solid and the flat point solid, out of my 450 No2. The flat point makes a better wound channel and seems to penetrate deeper than a round nose solid. I think the North Forks are the best solids out there. I also think they are safe in vintage British double rifles.
DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
Posts: 16134 | Location: Texas | Registered: 06 April 2002
I can't speak from personal experience with lions but a legitimate brown bear is quite a pile of flesh compared to a lion and they certainly can show "tenacity toward life". Nevertheless, even 1000lbs of bear doesn't need the penetrative capacity of a good solid like buff or ele. The increased damage afforded by a premium soft like an A-Frame, X-Bullet, or North Fork soft point would shorten a follow up in the often soft, wet, brushy, lumpy country they love.
Posts: 1143 | Location: Kodiak | Registered: 01 February 2005
Originally posted by Texas Hunter: What is the advantage of a true solid over a FMJ?
If the nose shape is the same and the FMJ is a high quaility steel jacketed solid such as the Woodleigh and your using them on elephants or buffalo, I see little if any advantage of the monumental over the FMJ. If you wan't to improve over the Woodleigh steel jacketed solid go to the flat nosed banded solid.
From my experience there's a world of difference between mono & FMJ solids. I've never seen a mono deform to any extent at all - but I've seen most of the FMJs deform to enough of an extent to affect the wound channel.
Mono solids may be more expensive but they're worth every penny of that additional expense.
In a way I'll back Shakari but...not all mono's are equal! I have seen too many (PMP's for a starter) chip pices off the back and then tumble to say that Mono's are automatically the way to go. In my 9,3 I use woodleigh solids. aT 2380FPS they work. Texas heart shot on buff or a raking through the shoulder shot into the brain on elephant - they work. In my .404 I use a mixture of Barnes and woodleigh. Both work. I have seen a barnes super solid mushroom like a premium soft on an elephants front leg bone. ( to be fair , barnes have got better!). Have never seen a North folk, have seen GS custom, Stuarts (my personal favourite soft), woodleigh, barnes and A square. Any of their (current) solids will do all that you need.
Posts: 3026 | Location: Zimbabwe | Registered: 23 July 2003
I didn't mean to imply that all mono metal bullets are perfect or even equal to each other - just that they're far less inclined to deform than FMJs. - I've just switched from Stewart MS to GS Custom FNMS. There wasn't anything wrong with the Stewart bullets - but there is no doubt that the GS Custom penetrate even better.
Regarding PMP ammo, I wouldn't touch any of it with a barge pole. Might be OK for fishing weights though.
Originally posted by shakari: Assuming they're not being used in a double rifle, I personally much prefer a monolithic solid over an FMJ solid. Even with mono solids, some (IMO) are better than others. I've just switched to GS Custom flat nose solids and they seem to have considerably more penetration than the round nose mono solids I was using previously.
Yes i would not use Hornady FMJ Encapsulated!
Damned crap, they tumble and loose their lead-core that results in bad penetration!
