has anyone used these at 2900fps+?

Yes I have, not to much to say on that subject. The Kodiak's did not impress me for holding a good group. You'll notice I said "good" group. They shoot a 6 inch circle on a good day, from a rifle that shoots 5/8 inch, five shot group at a 100 meters with Nosler 168 gr. J4's...... So I know it's not the rifle fault. I later did some investigation on the shot gun pattern I was getting with these Kodiaks'. I broke out the ole' Model # 1 Redding scale (the type you have to change the oil every 3000 rounds...ha,ha) and start weighing these bullets......man, I was not impressed. These were .308 180 grainers. They were all the way from 3-4/10th of a grain under a 180 gr., to 4-7-9/10th over a 180 gr. Later, I also took a hack saw and cut one of these bullets length ways to just about to the base. I notice a small void (air pocket?) in the lead core.......? These bullets are truly bonded to the jacket, because I took each half of the bullet and gave them 180 degree twist and lead core hung to the jacket......Take that for what it's worth.
I have not taken any big game with the Kodiaks'- I think I'll stick to my brand that starts with a B----s X or the N----r P's - I've killed two bear, a moose and couple of deer with these guys, and one shot was all that was needed.

There's my two cent's on Kodiak's --- You might want to try Trophy Bonded bullets - I was able pull sub-inch groups with these guys.

CK

[This message has been edited by CK (edited 09-06-2001).]

CK,

Interesting post!

I was reading a post about the Alaska Bullet Works (that's the name, right?) Kodiak bullets on HuntAmerica the other day. Some of the folks there defended the bullets performance.

I, like you, had to share my experience about not being able to make them shoot in my rifles. I tried them in a 300 Win Mag, and a 7mm-08. They just wouldn't make a decent group with loads which were successfull in the past. I also measured the bullets from the base, to a point on the ogive, with a Stoney Point Comparator, and found that the bullet O.A.L. varied much more than Nosler Partitons. That makes it hard to seat the bullets consistantly the same distance from the lands each time.

It's possible, that with the new macines they bought about 3 years ago, that the bullets have improved. When did you do your tests?

They seem to really work well, when they actually hit game. I don't dispute their claims on performance. I really wanted to help the local company out. Perhaps I'll try some of their .416's out in the near future?

One funny thing...

When I lived in Kodiak, I didn't see these bullets on the shelves in Macks or Cy's sporting good stores. Perhaps they're in stock now though.

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Brian
The 416 Taylor WebPage!

I just loaded some 160 kodiaks for my buddys rem 7 stw. first 3 shots were covered by a quarter and the 4th 1/2" away. He stopped right there and is headed out on a caribou hunt!!! Just thought it would be fun to post a "positive"!!!

Thanks gents, I tried some 250 noslers today. They will do it, got 3050fps and .750 inch groups.

That's great news!

I really do like seeing a local company do good! Now I will have to try some of their .416 bullets.

Thanks!

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Brian
The 416 Taylor WebPage!

BW,

I did my testing (shooting,weighing and sawing, ha,ha) about two weeks ago. Yeah, I hear ya, I grew up in Kodiak (class of 80')and never did I see these bullets at Cy's, nor at Mack's - Maybe because these guys weren't in business when I left Kodiak (May 88').

Well, don't get me wrong about these bullets. I think they (Alaska Bullet Works, Juneau, AK - in the town I live in) need to get to the next step of quality control. Nosler spent alot of money and time to get where there at today, and maybe this will be the next step (some day?) they'll take to draw customers like you and I.

CK

[This message has been edited by CK (edited 09-08-2001).]