Anybody been loading the Barnes Banded solids in 375? I'm talking bolt guns here as I'm WELL aware of the double rifle issues and only use the NF's or Woodleighs. I think they might feed a bit better than other bullets that aren't as "rounded" on the nose, yet still have a pretty flat meplat.
Thanks.

Gary

You can also use GS Customs safely in doubles.

What I find interesting about the Barnes banded solid is that it is nearly an exact copy of the flat nose bullet which Rhino Bullets introduced 3 years earlier.

I use Barns Banded solid on 375 HH with great accuracy (less 1" group @ 100 meters) and NO feed problems.

Here's data:
ROUNDs
375 HH, RWS case, cannelured crimp with Lee factory crimp die, Fed 215 Mag primers, 300 grs Barnes Banded solid on top of 70,5 grs Viht N140.

RIFLE
Sako 75 hunter, Swaro 1,5-6x42 optic, fixed mount.


Have a great day, ciao

Gary,

I had an interesting and troubling experience with the barnes banded solid on my recent hunt in Zimbabwe.

I was using a .416 Rem and had a load of the 400 gr. barnes solids worked up by Superior Ammo. Th first shot at my buffalo was with a 400 gr. TSX bullet through the heart. He went down within 30 yds. When we walked up to him my PH asked me to put another shot into his spine. I shot him from 10 yds with a solid and thought nothing of it until the trackers brought the solid to me at dinner. They found it in the lung. It was still in perfect condition. It penetrated 18" - 24" at the most. It seems to me that the solid should have zipped through even after hitting the spine. Any thoughts?

Doug

Thanks for the info gents. Doug....that is strange. I would have thought you would have left that one in Zim. Even a spine shot shouldn't have stopped that bullet...unless Superior had it loaded to 800 FPS!! I was curious about the bullet because the slightly rounded nose vs the abrupt "squareness" of the North Fork...and any possible feeding issues. I'm only speculating here as I have not tried either...although the Federal Trophy Sledgehammers feed perfectly. I e-mailed Mike at NF and asked about the availability of the FP solids...so if I get some I'll try them out.
Back to the Barnes, if your shot only penetrated 24" or so, and wasn't deformed in any way, I wouldn't have a clue....it just doesn't make sense. My PH's shot on my buff with his 416 Remington 400 gr Sledgehammer was found right next to my (3) 500 gr NF Cups....about 4' from where they went in...and his Sledgehammer rivited a bit...as you can tell from the picture I posted. Your Barnes should have gone thru the buff....but at least the TSX did its part!
Hope all is well....I'm having AWS....African Withdrawal Syndrome...bad....I want to go back.
Hope it goes away soon.

Take care.

Gary

There is an interesting theory floating around out in the real hunting world, and witnessed by quite a few PH's in Africa and in Alaska. The following story is the one I will share because I got the news via first hand. An AR hunter I know went to Alaska this year and was guided by one of the most notable guides in alaska (50 years experience guiding after brown bears) and this guy happens to be a ballistics freak also which is rare. Well, he asked the client what kind of bullets he was using in his 375 H&H, the reply was barnes tsx 300 grain bullets. Here is what the guide said straight out, he said that he really liked that bullet up to 30 caliber it seemed to due a great job. He then proceeded to say that when the client shot a brown bear that it would not penetate through the bear. He said he honestly doesn't know why the penetration factor goes down after 30 caliber but his experience with the bullet is the evidence. He thought that the bullet was too long per weight and that the bullet length (after 30 caliber size) in the bigger calibers must cause more yawing (fish tailing), and that the friction coeficient increases thus penetration suffers. He did say that the bullet will get the job done, BUT that they would find the bullet still in the bear. Well, he and his son shot bear one at 60 yards and the other I believe he told me under 150 yards both bear were taken through the lungs (not the guts,etc.), and the guide was right, the bullets were still in the bears. Anyway, it's objective evidence to consider.

Gary,

The only known cure to AWS is a return trip.

Doug

Doug...I'm afraid you're right. I may end up in Reno this year...any chance you may go? I am actually looking into a return in 2008...most likely with one if not both of my boys. If you do go to Reno, we can hook up...I've never been and would just like to see it.
I read drklawyer's post...he may have something there....but you were talking about the Banded solid. I just wonder, however, if it too isn't long for caliber. Something to look into.

Take care.

Gary

Gary,

I am still trying to decide if I am going to Reno. I have never been and would like to, but Dallas sure is easy for me and I am not sure that I need to go to both. I'll PM you if I decide to go.

Doug

Doug: If you go to Dallas, we;llsee each other there and I owe you a big drink! jorge

Jorge,

I will be in Dallas and look forward to seeing you there. The first round is on you.

Doug

Doug, I may just end up in Dallas myself....been hearing a lot of good things about that show from folks here in Central Fl. If you do decide to head to Reno, let me know. If I come to Dallas, I'll do the same. Take care.

Gary

This may be off the subject, however, it seems to fit so I'll ask: I have been using Barnes solids made up for me by superior, but, would like to try the gs solids in my 375 & 458 for next year. has anyone had any experience with them?

Bryan, the GS are excellent and are at least tied for the deepest penetrating bullet I have used. They also leave a better wound channel than a round nose solid.

Mike is sending me a couple of boxes of the 300 gr flat points. I imagine they should be similar performance to your GS bullets. I'll let you know.

Gary