The Accurate Reloading Forums
Woodleigh Bullets
02 December 2021, 02:18
BuglemintodayWoodleigh Bullets
Just saw that the Woodleigh plant in Australia had a devastating fire that destroyed everything. Geoff and Shirley Mcdonald were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
Just a heads up if there is a box of Woodleighs on the shelf you were thinking about buying, may want to. No word if they will continue with the business after this.
"Let me start off with two words: Made in America"
05 December 2021, 21:18
bpesteveOh crap! I hope the McDonalds recover well and that they can get back in the business. What would all of us who like odd diameters do without them?
Best of wishes for Geoff and Shirley!
06 December 2021, 11:14
Colin MastersThey are not going to rebuild.
08 December 2021, 07:29
dgr416That's terrible hate that for them . Tons of prayers for them . Those are really good bullets !
08 December 2021, 11:09
cal pappasThe only bullets I shoot in my doubles outside of those I cast myself for my bore rifles. Sad news, indeed. But, I have a lifetime supply for all of my rifles so I am set. Hope they rebuild or an investor buys the equipment and begins again.
_______________________________
Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska
www.CalPappas.comwww.CalPappas.blogspot.com1994 Zimbabwe
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2006 Tanzania
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2008 Zimbabwe
2012 Australia
2013 South Africa
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2013 Australia
2016 Zimbabwe
2017 Zimbabwe
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2019 South Africa
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2021 South Africa
2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later)
______________________________
08 December 2021, 12:01
huskyWill check with Norma what they are going to do about it. The whole African PH line of ammunition is loaded with Woodleigh bullets as you know.
09 December 2021, 02:58
rolankMaybe Norma can buy the rights to the brand and continue the product.
10 December 2021, 02:33
JiriI wish them to recover and continue.
BTW no more .577 Woodleigh bullets at Midway, because...
10 December 2021, 08:53
eagle27quote:
Originally posted by husky:
Will check with Norma what they are going to do about it. The whole African PH line of ammunition is loaded with Woodleigh bullets as you know.
RWS use Woodleigh bullets in their large calibre cartridges too.
10 December 2021, 09:49
BaxterBquote:
Originally posted by eagle27:
quote:
Originally posted by husky:
Will check with Norma what they are going to do about it. The whole African PH line of ammunition is loaded with Woodleigh bullets as you know.
RWS use Woodleigh bullets in their large calibre cartridges too.
And Wolfgang Romey...
And Kynoch...
12 December 2021, 07:59
medvedquote:
Originally posted by Colin Masters:
They are not going to rebuild.
Geoff wrote me they are working on something. wait and see.
13 December 2021, 21:58
AtkinsonAlways been one of my my favorite bullets in any caliber, and for my double rifles it had no equal.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
14 December 2021, 06:12
dgr416Now I am glad I got 5000 .416 woodleigh 410 grain bonded soft points . They expand to .92 caliber and penetrate like crazy .I shoot them in my 416 rem mags .
19 December 2021, 11:48
Mark Rquote:
Originally posted by dgr416:
Now I am glad I got 5000 .416 woodleigh 410 grain bonded soft points . They expand to .92 caliber and penetrate like crazy .I shoot them in my 416 rem mags .
Those 410gr .416" bullets are designed for the 416 Rigby. The 400gr bullets in .416" are made for the 416RM with the cannular in a better position. That's what I use at least.
Cheers,
Mark.
04 January 2022, 21:13
AtkinsonThey work fine in both calibers, many have been to Africa when I checked their guns and most of the hunters knew no difference!!

but you are correct of course..Those that did said a cannalue isn't necessary, and that too can be correct in some chambers..
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
07 January 2022, 20:17
Jgrabow6493A post on Nitroexpress.com
http://forums.nitroexpress.com...58612&page=0&fpart=2'Gentlemen, I have an update regarding Woodleigh bullets. Apparently Geoff is going to re-start operations. A new shed or sheds is going to be built and the machines are being re-wired. Nothing will happen for a couple of months as trying to get tradesmen at this time of year is hard and it's very hot at the moment where he lives.
Initially production will be based around volume calibers such as 0.308", 9.3, 0.375" and 0.458".
It seems as if there was some help (In what form I don't know) from both Norma and Federal.
Geoff is exhibiting or at least showing the flag at the current SCI convention in Dallas.
I will keep you posted.
Matt.'
Jim
07 January 2022, 21:21
BaxterBquote:
Originally posted by Jgrabow6493:
A post on Nitroexpress.com
http://forums.nitroexpress.com...58612&page=0&fpart=2'Gentlemen, I have an update regarding Woodleigh bullets. Apparently Geoff is going to re-start operations. A new shed or sheds is going to be built and the machines are being re-wired. Nothing will happen for a couple of months as trying to get tradesmen at this time of year is hard and it's very hot at the moment where he lives.
Initially production will be based around volume calibers such as 0.308", 9.3, 0.375" and 0.458".
It seems as if there was some help (In what form I don't know) from both Norma and Federal.
Geoff is exhibiting or at least showing the flag at the current SCI convention in Dallas.
I will keep you posted.
Matt.'
Best news of 2022 so far. Great to hear.
08 January 2022, 00:23
Brandon.GleasonFantastic news! I just got hydro's and PP's to regulate to same POA/POI on my first load attempt out of my .375 H&H! I was afraid I was going to have to squirrel them away for careful use.
08 January 2022, 01:14
RockdocWhat rifle and cartridge Brandon? I.e. single or double barrel, Flanged or Belted Mag?
What load did you use, can PM if you like.
Cheers, Chris
DRSS
08 January 2022, 02:29
Brandon.Gleasonquote:
Originally posted by Rockdoc:
What rifle and cartridge Brandon? I.e. single or double barrel, Flanged or Belted Mag?
What load did you use, can PM if you like.
Cheers, Chris
AHR worked-over CZ-550 .375 H&H. Load was norma brass, Fed 215, 75.0gr IMR-4350.
08 January 2022, 04:44
Michael RobinsonThat is great news.
I understand that most of the manufacturing machinery was salvageable.
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
08 January 2022, 06:50
LHeym500Very good news. Does this mean his wife is well?
08 January 2022, 10:47
Rockdocquote:
Originally posted by Brandon.Gleason:
quote:
Originally posted by Rockdoc:
What rifle and cartridge Brandon? I.e. single or double barrel, Flanged or Belted Mag?
What load did you use, can PM if you like.
Cheers, Chris
AHR worked-over CZ-550 .375 H&H. Load was norma brass, Fed 215, 75.0gr IMR-4350.
Thanks Brandon. Haven’t seen IMR powder in Aus for many years.
Cheers Chris
DRSS
16 January 2022, 01:01
EterryI am glad they are going to rebuild and eventually go back in production. I shoot black powder and the GOEX plant burned, Again, in Louisiana. Word is they ARE NOT going to rebuild. Probably an Insurance liability issue. I believe they had 7 fires in 15 years, or some such.
BTW, I have some 333 Jeffery 250 and 300gr bullets, if anyone is interested PM me.
Good luck and good shooting.
In Memory of Officer Nik Green, #198, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troop G...Murdered in the line of duty 12-26-03...A Good Man, A Good Officer, and A Good Friend gone too soon
17 January 2022, 00:41
Rockdocquote:
Originally posted by LHeym500:
Very good news. Does this mean his wife is well?
Yes apparently Shirley is well. Smoke inhalation IIRC.
Due to limited shops stocking Woodleigh here in Aus I usually purchase direct and Woodleigh have always been great to deal with. Same goes for Bertram.
DRSS
19 January 2022, 21:14
AtkinsonWhew, scared me to death!! Life without woodleighs was more than my old heart could take!!

Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
29 June 2022, 14:26
Jgrabow6493An update.
Jim
Fantastic news for us double gunners!!!!!
03 July 2022, 04:14
medvedvery great news.
04 July 2022, 09:35
surefire7And we bolt action shooters are delighted as well. Hurrah!!
quote:
Originally posted by Jgrabow6493:
An update.
YES!!!
04 August 2022, 13:13
KarlGreat to hear. I remember when Geoff still took custom bullet orders and made me a bunch of 585 cal 900 grain protected point bullets. Was always interested in personal stories about his bullets performance too. Great guy and company.
10 August 2022, 01:25
Jiriquote:
Originally posted by Karl:
Great to hear. I remember when Geoff still took custom bullet orders and made me a bunch of 585 cal 900 grain protected point bullets. Was always interested in personal stories about his bullets performance too. Great guy and company.
This is exactly what I need for my .585 Hubel Express!
Do you think it is still possible?
Jiri
14 August 2022, 22:50
KarlHi Jiri, you could maybe ask once they are set up again, but I would doubt it personally. I made that order in 2001 when Geoff was still doing occasional custom orders. Shortly after that woodleigh stopped doing custom orders so its been decades since they entertained work like that( as far as I am aware).
I did get some other custom bullets from him in . 530 calibre (750 grains) in about 2012 but this is because the 530 woodleigh was an early wildcat of his and he still did occasional bullet runs for fellas with his calibre.
15 August 2022, 12:40
eagle27quote:
Originally posted by Karl:
Hi Jiri, you could maybe ask once they are set up again, but I would doubt it personally. I made that order in 2001 when Geoff was still doing occasional custom orders. Shortly after that woodleigh stopped doing custom orders so its been decades since they entertained work like that( as far as I am aware).
I did get some other custom bullets from him in . 530 calibre (750 grains) in about 2012 but this is because the 530 woodleigh was an early wildcat of his and he still did occasional bullet runs for fellas with his calibre.
Maybe with the concern and support shown to Geoff and Shirley from the hunting fraternity after their devastating fire, they may consider offering a limited custom bullet service.
15 August 2022, 15:01
JiriBTW I am curious why .585 900 gr PP are NOT on the standard bullet list.
Jiri
15 August 2022, 15:13
KarlI think his wife had a lot to do with standardising the stock lines, Geoff struck me as a fella who would have happily kept experimenting and customising.
From memory I ordered 500 pcs off him, got them for about $2 each. He reduced the cost a bit at the last minute as there was a minor error during part of the process. Bullets came out the right size but had tiny nicks and marks on them. Didnt effect accuracy, they outshot any loads anyone was using in 585's at the time.
I sent some to Dan Maccarthy in the US who used to post here as '500grains' and some to Mitch carter now deceased for use in his 577 trex. He was the guy who shot the best groups with them. I only have 3-4 left or I would send you some too

Hopefully attached is a pic next to a 45acp cartridge.
15 August 2022, 20:30
JiriKarl:
Could you, please, measure seating depth of the bullet please? I would like to run some theoretical QL simulations for .585 HE. Maybe I will find I really don't want to shoot it ;-)
Jiri
17 August 2022, 00:56
KarlNo probs, give me a day or two to dig one out.
Wish I still had load data for them but I sold that gun 10+ years ago and everything with it. My wildcat the 585 gehringer was a few years earlier than Ed's but I think less capacity. Mine was essentially a 3.06" nyati, around 200 grains capacity water.
28 August 2022, 04:08
Eddie SouthgateI'm hoping when they get cranked back up that the 250 grain .348 is on the shelves fairly quickly. I need a couple of boxes.
Grumpy old man with a gun,,,,Do not touch.