I have a 9.3x62 bolt rifle and a 9.3x74R double. I have been very happy with the North Fork softs in the 9.3x62 and so far have only used Norma factory loads in the 9.3x74R.

Back when HV Concepts was selling the GS Custom bullets I bought a box each of the 270 grain FN and the 260 grain HV in 9.3 (plus some .277 and .284 HVs).

Now the question: Is there any reason to hang onto these and use them over the North Fork softs, cup points and flat point solids, or given the (at least in the past) easier distribtuon of North Forks should I chuck the GS Customs and stay with the North Fork lineup?

500grains, are you out there?

This is not a criticism of GS Custom as I have never ordered directly from them. I did like the fact that HV Concepts had the bullets in country before I ordered and paid for them. As I do not reload (the press I bought is still in its box) I can get the North Forks loaded by Superior Ammo, but I am not sure they do the GS Customs.

I would be willing to trade something (even possibly some, gasp!, money) for the 270 grain FN bullets.

LD

quote:

Originally posted by lawndart:
I would be willing to trade something (even possibly some, gasp!, money) for the 270 grain FN bullets.

LD

I will keep that in mind.

Does that mean that your vote is for me to ditch them?

They are very good bullets. You could work up a load, and then have enough loaded up to last the rest of your life. I would load five as dummy rounds and see how they feed in your rifle: Fill the magazine and start running them through. If they feed well, then go for it. If you think you are going to go through more than one box in your life, then order some up from Mike at NF. I am starting to use his bullets and will likely be using them exclusively on expensive hunting trips when I resume those in a couple years.

If I get my hands on them I will load some up in a 9.3x64 if I'm hunting in Buff country. I imagine they would be good to shoot through the engine block of anyone who makes fun of that same 9.3x64 at the range.

LD

Yes, Ditch them right now.

For my use the North Forks loaded by Superior would be impossible to beat, if they shot well in my rifle. The North Fork bullets are the best I have ever used, and I should state I have never used the GS which I understand are also first class. If Superior loaded the GS I would certainly give them a try and compare. The cost factor may be of concern in the long run. Good luck and good shooting.

Thanks for the replies. I am still hoping to hear from somone who has used both, but realize that I may not.

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:

Now the question: Is there any reason to hang onto these and use them over the North Fork softs, cup points and flat point solids, or given the (at least in the past) easier distribtuon of North Forks should I chuck the GS Customs and stay with the North Fork lineup?

500grains, are you out there?

I will trade you NF bullets for the GS if you are interested.

The choice between the GS and NF expanding bullets is a matter of personal prefernce. The GS has a higher ballistic coefficient and had no lead core. At higher velocity, the GS will tend to blow its nose off and penetrate as a cylinder. There are pics on GS website illustrating this. The NF has a bonded lead core and solid copper shank, so after it expands about 1/3 og the way, expansion stops and the mushroom plows on through.

The GS FN and NF FN solids are a very similar design. Bother are pure copper as I understand it.

I have a 9.3 x 64 reamer you can borrow in exchange for half a box . Surely you have a Winnie Model 70 CRF gathering dust in a corner somewhere?

lawndart

It sounds like both are good choices but there is no compelling reason to pick the GS over the NF in either the FN or HV.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
I will trade you NF bullets for the GS if you are interested.

Lawndart wants a shot at the FNs, but if either of you seriously wants the FNs or the HVs let me know. It is not looking like I will be reloading this year so I will probably be relying on Superior Ammo again, which is not a bad thing by any measure other than cost.

quote:

Originally posted by lawndart:
I have a 9.3 x 64 reamer you can borrow in exchange for half a box Smiler. Surely you have a Winnie Model 70 CRF gathering dust in a corner somewhere?

I'm guessing you addressed that to 500grains, but my 9.3x62 is a pre pre-64 (Model 54 action) and is going to stay an x62. My pre-64 featherweight .243 was my dad's so it has to stay that was as well. No other Model 70s in the house at the moment.

Thanks for all of the contributions. I guess it comes down to a Ford vs. Chevy thing on the FNs, and expansion versus penetration (to a degree only) on the HVs. I have had excellent penetration with the NF softs so far, so I am not overly concerned there. Then there is always the cup point which I am tempted to try.

500 Grains gets first crack. He is more likely to use them sooner. If he passes I'll jump in.

lawndart

LD,

Let's be fair about this.

I will arm wrestle you for the bullets.

______

Charles, if you want rid of the GS bullets, I will take whatever Lawndart does not want. That's a serious offer. Or you may want to hold onto them to load up yourself in the future.

I'll take half, 500 gets half. We'll both trade you straight across for 9.3 North forks.



LD

I want to see the arm wrestling match -- we could webcast it and then archive the video here.

Are you just interested in the FNs or also the HVs? And you do know that GS Customs carry almost a 50% price premium over North Forks?

Seriously, let me know if you want just the solids or the softs as well. I have been advised that the softs need a 1:12 twist to work properly, although Mr. Atkinson says they worked in the rifle I bought from him at 1:14. I'd rather trade for some decent African hunting DVDs if you have any spares (no luck getting someone to trade my Superior Ammo sample packs for Boddington on Buffalo down in the classifieds). I figure that it will save on postage to me and to Superior.

We can take this to PM or email if you want.

Charles,

I had not made note of the price difference. If you like, we can cash you out on the bullets rather than work out a trade which is always cumbersome. LD gets first choice. Whatever he does not want I will be happy to take (whether softs or solids).

Separate and apart fromt the bullet deal, I have some African hunting videos that you are welcome to borrow and return after you are finished with them.

I was joking about the price differential, although it is an interesting debate whether the GS Customs are worth 50% more than the North Forks. Of course, I have not checked the current delivered price of the GS bullets so I may be wrong.

I have sent you gentleman a PM.

Currently the price of GS Custom bullets is as follows:

9.3 mm 260 gr. HV shipped to USA via airmail: US$93.43/box

9.3 mm 270 gr. FN shipped to USA via airmail: $77.16/box

I think that both boxes of bullets will fit into a USPS flat small flat rate box for $3.85 (need to tape the box to reinforce it), and if not they will fit into a USPS large flat rate box for $7.70, but be sure to add lots of wadded up newspaper as padding (and extra tape is needed on the box).

That would yield a total of $178.29. I will be happy to make the payment and serve as clearinghouse. Lawndart, please let me know what you want of these bullets.

Charles, please let me know your address so that I can send money. Also, please let me know what kind of African hunting tapes you would like to borrow. I have the whole Mark Sullivan series, plus some leopard hunting, plains game hunting and elephant hunting films.

Many thanks!

Daniel McCarthy
159 Young Oak Road
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
(801) 583 8998



http://www.gscustom.co.za

It looks like another arm wrestling match -- you guys decide who I should send these to and I will do it.

Don't get in too big a rush to send me a check -- it looks to me like those numbers exceed what I have in them.

Those two bullets have different purposes...The Northforks will expand more but penetrate less than the GS Customs..I use both, depending on what and where I am hunting...Both are excellent bullets..and don't overlook the Northfork Cup point..thats my all time buffalo bullet.