I asked a question the other day had anyone tried lost river ballistics bullets. (thanks for the rsponses). I was wondering, does any one think the performance they provide is worth the expense? I am relatively new to reloading so feel free to talk "down" to me. Please feel free to recommend alternative bullets that might have similar performance characteristics. I am working on an elk load for my 700 BDl .280 right now
Thanks...this is a cool site

IMHO, these bullets are for the folks that want every last iota of performance from their guns, and plan on taking long range shots at game.

So, if you have a tricked out bughole shooter, use a laser to figure out range, and dial in your scope with a target nob, you may find these bullets just the ticket.

Personally, if I were elk hunting with a 280 I'd use a swift a-frame, barnes X or nosler partition. I would think you'd need a 7 STW to take advantage of the LRB bullet. As the price goes up on bullets, you'll find less and less folks trying them.

One trick that has worked well for many folks using the a-frame is to work up with a same weight hornady, and once you have a good load, swap the a-fram bullet. This worked like a charm w/ my 35 whelen ackley, though on the first itteration, I was at a max load w/ the hornady, and the extra resistance from the partition in the a-frame caused high pressures. I swapped powders with the hornady, found a less then max load that grouped, and as before, the same exact charge resulted in groups of the same size, though velocity was 100 fps faster. I dialed in the a-frame and still had 30 of them left for hunting ammo.

One other tip, I seated both the hornady and a-frame the same distance off the rifling, .020", but this required different settings of the seater die. I made up dummy rounds with each bullet, to allow me to re-adjust the seater.

And yes, Bwana Saeed has done a superb job on this website!

Are they too expensive? It depends on what it is worth to you I guess. For me, I look at the total cost of the hunt (guide, transportation, gear, time, ect) and bullet cost seems small to me. Do I use them? Not yet. If I anticipate or there is a chance of a longer than normal shot, will I use them? Yes. I used Swift Scirroco bullets in my .300 Win for elk & deer three years ago and the deer I hit dropped like a ton of bricks from 225yds (I didn't get a chance at an elk). Even though the deer wasn't very far away, I knew that the bullet would go where I wanted it to because I worked up a good load for it and I had practiced out to 600yds at the range under varying conditions. On the trip I had my gear which included a rangefinder, but...
The thing that actually get's the animal is nothing to skimp on in my opinion. Have a good one.

Gigem - I'm an Aggie class of '74, err.. '78, no...'83 ! What year(s) for you?

Don

'91...... Dutch.

Class of '97 here! Whoop!

We'll have to get together some time. I vote it's at Dutch's place in the fall!

Don

O.k. you flatlanders! I'll provide the beer and a place to hunt Chuckars. That'll separate the men from the boys! LOL! Dutch.

Dutch,

Bring it on...... We could have some fun. I will get the dog ready to go.

cj

CJ, where you at? I badly need someone to chase birds around with. Chuckars are looking good this year. Plus, saw 12 male blue grouse on a hike last Sunday!

There is this small matter of getting my moose in first this fall...... Dutch.

Dutch,

Is a .416 big enough for chukars? Should I bring premium bullets or are 600 grain depleted uranium Swift A-Frames good enough? Solids or HEAT? Do you get many moving shots out past 400 yards?

Maybe I should bring a laser range finder, some two way radios and a satellite phone so we could all call back to the office and check our email!

Seriously, I have never hunted chukars, are they best hunted with a 12 ga full choke or 20 ga modified? Those are my only two choices.

I have a Labrador retriever, but she is allergic to grass! Spends all her time sleeping on the carpet in the airconditioning. I should have it so good!

Don

Don

For Chuckars, the 416 is marginal. See, the only way I know of to hunt Chuckars successfully is to shoot a gun that is big enough to kill them by blast concussion.

Seriously, I usually take my 12 with Improved Modified, if we are hunting without a dog. The 20 / modified is great over dogs, but Chuckars tend to run and flush pretty far out without a dog. The ideal Chuckar gun, in my mind, is a light 12 (6 lbs or so), shooting the short, 1 oz shells, but with a fairly tight choke. I used to shoot 8's, but I'm switching to 6's this year for the second shot.

I was supposed to bring in a pointing retriever pup from Holland this year, but the bitch didn't whelp, so I'll have to wait till winter for my pup -- chuckars without a dog must be the toughest bird to hunt! Dutch.

I am in the Kuna, south west of Boise area. I typically hunt Oregon just over the border. The distinct lack of people is great. I have work in my antelope hunt and deer hunt in CA but then I will be ready to go. We have a NAVDA test on opening weekend if you are interested.

cj

[This message has been edited by csj (edited 07-27-2001).]

Gig 'em!! Class of '61.

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Larry

Have found the 175 Nosler to be one great elk bullwet, in both a plain ol' 7X57mm, and in the 7mm Rem. Mag!!

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Larry

I'm class of 95'. Sorry it took so long. been out of town. The great aggie network is a powerful thing. Thanks for the comments.