I was speaking with one of the guys at Barnes Bullets this afternoon about bullets, etc. He advised that in the last day or so Barnes has made a decision to move ahead with the production on a new style of Solid Bullets. The new Solid will be flat nose (not sure of size of metplate) and will have grooves similar to the Triple Shocks. He advised that their test results on these new Solids show accuracy to be enhanced. I only asked what would be available in 458 caliber, was advised 400 and 500 grain bullets. I was also advised that the new Solid Bullets should be available sometime after January 1, 2005...not sure of release date as of yet!

I know I will definately be giving them a try!!!!...JJS

Still monolithic, I assume? Only problem with those is the length sometimes creates problems.

Well, I guess I'll be shelving my little plan to start turning monolithic flat nosed solids this winter. Hmmm, guess I'll just have to go hunting instead.
JCN
Maybe I'll pick up a few extra bucks doing Botox treatments on the frown lines of hunters waiting for their flat nosed solids to arrive from overseas.

I found out more about the new bullet. It is designed to make a detour to empty your wallet on its way to the target.

AND, with every box you buy you are automatically put on USO's mailing list.

Ken:

He did not advise any other changes, so I would assume the same. I am assuming the "problem" you are referring to is that the bullet being longer takes up more case capacity??

One benefit of the Triple Shocks, at least that I saw first hand, was that the "groove bands" not only provided an enhancement to accuracy but also, in some instances, reduce pressure (or the signs of pressure were not evident). Barnes notes this in some advertisements with the Triple Shocks and that one may be able to achieve high velocity, as powder charges may be increase, above "regular" Barnes bullet loading data.

In the three calibers I have loaded the TSX, I have seen an increase in velocity over standard X's...actually very close to the Barnes coated bullet velocities...but not using the coated bullets loading data!!!!

I did use some Barnes Solids this past weekend, 458 caliber 500 grain, in my 458 win mag. with a "max" listed load I worked up to...No obvious signs of pressure were noted while achieving a nominal 2140 fps...not bad at all...

If the new design provides the same benefit as the TSX...it will be a noteable enhancement!

I hope I did not misunderstand the "problem" you noted! Thanks JJS

That is. Compare a 500 grain 458 Barnes mono solid to a sledgehammer or Speer AGS. There is a huge difference in length. Pressures isn't really what I was talking about as much as powder capacity. In big cases it isn't a too much of a problem, but it can be limiting in others.

Unfortunately the triple shock is a poor implementation of an excellent concept - driving bands on a copper bullet. GS Custom and North Fork have implemented the concept properly, reducing the pressure of engraving rifling to a minimum. This reduces the stress on the side of the bullet which can be greater than the material strength of the copper. That is why the Barnes X fouled bores so terribly, but GS Custom and North Fork do not. It is true that the Barnes triple shock is a better design than the Barnes X, but it is a cheapo implementation compared to what other manufacturers are doing (no offense Barnes). For the price Barnes charges, they should do a better job.



I will take a box of GS Custom solids, a box of North Fork softs, and 2 Botox injections please.







As for the flat nose, I am glad Barnes is finally getting on the bandwagon, as some research shows that a hemispherical roundnose is the shallowest penetrating of all bullet designs.



Driving band patterns of GS Custom:





Driving bands of North Fork:





Minimal grooves of Barnes Triple Shock. Note that the majority of the length of the Barnes has to be engraved the old fashioned way. Correcting this problem is just a matter of programming the lathe to cut driving bands instead of just a few grooves, unless the bullets are not made on a lathe.