10 August 2004, 06:59
AndyRe: MIke at North Fork is OK !
If we dont support small bullet makers like Mike Brady they will disapear!
All of you guys who have been sitting on the fence need to try these bullets regaurdless of caliber.
They are better than a Trophy Bonded because they are still made from pure copper rather than the gilding metal Speer is using.
And unlike a Rhino they have a tapered ogive so they expand at lower velocity.
Alfs experience with that american bison would not have happened with a North Fork. (Original 404 velocity).
They were the best of the premium 458's in my test of everything.
Andy
10 August 2004, 05:02
BFaucettFor those that may not have the web site address:
http://www.northforkbullets.com/-Bob F.
10 August 2004, 15:07
ReedI have to chime in here with kudos as well. I spoke with him just last week to order some 308 180's and some .423's as well. He was very nice and talkative and suggested that I ask my local store to carry his product. Perhaps if others would do the same some of these local shops would ensure his survival. I mention this as somebody earlier specifically mentioned small companies going out of business about the time you develop a load.
I found the comparison to Speer's particularly interesting as I've been running a test out of my 308 Norma and the Speer's so far are impressive along with the Barnes. I'm anxious to see how these compare.
My 2 cents...
Reed
Mike Brady is THE man! His products are excellant and he will inform you of the proper bullets for the job. When you talk to Mike you are talking to the designer and the manufacturer...he knows his stuff. In this day it is great to talk to someone who knows what he is talking about and gives you the straight scoop. Not to mention his bullets have been very accurate and they are available! Big kudos to Mike and North Fork Bullets.
John
ALF (and anybody else): What loading data do you use for North Forks? Does North Fork provide loading data? Thank you for the information.
11 August 2004, 03:12
RustyWith all these accolades, I guess I need to find out if they will make their bullets in a .408 caliber for my 450/400.
11 August 2004, 08:19
Michael RobinsonFlat nosed solids? I didn't see any solids on the NF website. Are they available at retail?
11 August 2004, 15:20
ReedAndy, thanks for the info. I'm very anxious to try these out and hopefully both the kudos expressed here AND some good target data will result in a long time Northfork customer.
All you others need to SHOOT MORE to keep him going!!! Especially you big bore guys!!!
Thanks much,
Reed
11 August 2004, 13:14
AndyReed,
I mentioned the gilding metal (which is 95% copper and 5% zinc) used by Speer in their new generation Trophy Bonded, because it adversely effected the performance of the bullet in my test of premium 458 bullets.
The 500 gr TB expanded to only .696 average diameter at 2,412 fps and retained 346 grains weight.
A 400 gr NF retains as much wegiht as a 500 gr Trophy bonded Speer!
The original 400 gr. (Federal/Jack Carter) TBBC retained 322 gr and .873 diameter at 2,677 fps!
The original TBBC has a pure copper jacket and was well annealed. the new bullets look pretty. They have that shiny gilding metal, but it is way too brittle for a hunting bullet and the expanded mushroom sheared off. Accurate yes, but they had to be seated to 3.5 inch overall ctg length in a 3.75 inch magazine box to clear 15/1000 off the rifling.
Speer just screwed it up.
I have been a long time user of Federal and Jack Carter bullets in .223, 257, .308, and bouight a few .458's, so it is sad to see them go go backwards with these bullets.
As for Mikes solids, he has a new one in the works which I will let him tell you about, based on some requests from those on this forumn.
His 2nd generation solids have the same point of impact as his soft points and a bit less pressure in my 450 Dakota. I get about 2550 fps with the 450 gr North Fork w 100 gr RL-15 and move up to 102 gr with the solids for the same velocity. Their two groups overlap at 100 yards!
I got them to "regulate" to the bonded bullets with not one but three powders; 4064, RL-15 and VV550.
They cycle reliably at any overall ctg length from 3.6 to 3.75 ocl. Which is amazing. The first generation, with sharp meplat, was very sensative to ocl. The new ones with a small radius to the meplat, cycle as well as a FMJRN. They are made from the same H4 copper alloy as he uses in his bonded bullets. They are about 60 on the Rockwell B-scale for hardness. It has six narrow driving bands and a 458 diam heel. The driving bands keep the bullet centered as it engages the rifling while the heel is still in the case neck. The diameter between bands is .445.
I dont think he will ever be paid back for his time and effort on the solids. Just not enough demand unless you all order some. Maybe thats why he does not advertise them.
Just for laughs, the GSFN has eight full diameter driving bands and a .449 body with mild boat tail. The Barnes RN is a dual diameter solid that mics .447 ahead of the cannelure and .457 across bearing surface.
NF is a one stop shopping place.
Andy
11 August 2004, 11:18
D HunterYep you guys have him pegged. He spent a lot of time helping me with a non-standard barrel problem that he had no potential to make any money selling me bullets. He spent the time and e-mailed me many times trying to help me with my problem anyway. Another time I called and his voice mail picked up. I hung up as I really hate to talk to the machines. I planned to call him later in the day. In less than a minute he had checked his callerID and returned my call. I am planning on using some of his 416 bullets on my next trip over the pond. Good on Mike. "D"
12 August 2004, 05:29
HunterJimFolks,
Mike asked me to post this for him...jim
---------------------------------------------------------
Would you post this for me on AR?
Guys, I'm beyond humbled and I am very appreciative of your comments. I just try to deal with people the same way that I would like to be dealt with. I'm no different than anyone else, sometimes I have a bad day and can be pretty grumpy but one thing is certain; I have never had a job where I have met so many people that it is an honor to call friends. If it wasn't for all of you, this would be just another boring machine shop job. You all make it more than that. Thanks again for the kind words. Hope to be talking to you soon.
Mike
PS Russ, you butthead, see if you get anything for Christmas this year.
12 August 2004, 12:52
cr500If only Northfork would export to Australia. I wanted to try some of their lighter .458 spitzer bullets on lighter game ,but they wont export to Australia.
10 August 2004, 01:59
MacD37 I don't know Steve, but
NE 450 No2 ,
Rusty, and I talked to Mike Brady at the Dallas Safari show last Feb, and he had a guy in his booth with him, maybe that was Steve! If so, he was just as nice as Mike, and that is saying something!
We talked to them for about an hour about his bullets, and they are amazeing. These things seem to work flawlessly, over a wide range of velocities. I have been tempted to try them in my double rifles, but I keep chickening out. Solid base bullets spook me in doubles, but I believe he has the right idea here, with the driveing bands releaving some of the resistance to engraveing by the rifleing! Good looking bullets! Let us know how they turn out for you!
