I have used North Forks a lot on game from Mule Deer to Cape Bufflo and plainsgame..The work.....I seated my bullets to fit in the magazine and like in most rifles the shot fine...Most factory guns limit you to magazine length not throat length....

Although I'm a true blue Barnes lover I am going to work North Fork 140gr up for my Kimber 7mm WSM. When I'm working up something from Barnes I always start At .050 off the lands.

My question is: WHere do North Fork fans start there loads off the lands, and if there anybody out there who have loaded this combination what did you find to be successful.

Thanks
SImdow

I have shot Mike's great bullets on ly in my .404, but I may convert all of my big game calibers to NFs. I loaded mine to magazine length which was about .02 off the lands. I have shot many sub 1moa groups w/ this boomer. That, plus the tremendous terminal perf. has me leaning to NFs in my .338 & 7mmDakota.

Thanks for the input, slim as it may be. I thought there might be more North Fork users around.

I've got plenty of room in the magazine so I think I'll start at .020 off and work out from there. I was also thinking Reloder 19, and then going to IMR 4831 if the 19 dosn't work.


Simdow

Since we have taken up Northfork bullets for Europe we have had them out for test hunting this year. So far we have reached 50 heads of game not including one guy who himself account for more than 100 big game a year.



The one that reloads all of this ammo have been me so I guess I can help you out.



I have loaded NF bullets for more than 15 guns now in calibers ranging from 308-416 and have done nothing fancy whatsoever. Have seated the bullets on average 1mm of the lands in most rifles. Same as everything else.



IN all guns except one Sako in 338 the precision has been really good or better, with many rifles grouping under 1/2moa with variuos loads.



We have only recovered 7 bullets and that were 2 180grs.308" bullets, one 240grs .338" bullet, 1 250/.366" bullet, one 250/.375" bullet and 2 300/375"(from buff)



All bullets regardless of caliber have expanded to 2-2,2x original diameter, with retained weight of 93% or better even though some really heavy bones have been encoutered on several of them. All recovered bullets except the one from the buff have been recovered in the rear of animals shot from the front. Broadside shots have never stopped anything so far.



From testing in different media I have come to this:



Bullets expand to double diameter at all vel over 2200f/s



Bullets retain a minimum of 95% weigth when impact velocities do not exceed 2700f/s.



Bullets penetrates in a straight angle even though heavy bones are hit, due to their lenght after full expansion.



Bullets out penetrate all lead filled bullets out there including Swift A Frame, Rhino, Woodleigh, Swiss CDP, Kodiak, Norma Oryx, all plastic tip bondeds. The only ones that out penetrates them are massive bullets like TSX and CSC. But these ones have much less diameter and a generates a smaller wound channel...



Bullets have consistantly been the best shooter of all premium bullets I have ever tried.



Unfortunately a 7 WSM is not a common caliber over here so I cannot help you out with data.



I have worked with a Kimber in 300WSM and got a bit put of since the gun had plenty of magasine lenght but no throat to follow. A b**** when you have the possibility to seat bullets 3-4mm further out and increase powder capasity

Dear Simdow,

I am using a 7mmm as well, but a 7x64.
I never tried any North Fork, but right now time has come.
I am just ordering the nice chape known as Sauer150 North Fork to feed my 375 and my cousin's 416with North Fork.
From everywhere, only outstanding reports has been funneled to the backyard of nowhere, right in France.