Gents,

Just thought I'd post this picture of a 370gr, .416" North Fork bullet, which I recovered from the black bear I shot last month.

It weighed 354grs on my scale, even though it looks like it lost more weight than that. The shot was 190 yards (lasered) so the bullet was only going around 2000-2100fps at impact. It did break through the near side shoulder mass, and ended up in the middle of the far side shoulder.

This from my 416 Taylor.

The bear dropped in it's tracks, so performance was excellent, even if it didn't completely pass through.

------------------
Brian

Thanks for the pic and report. It looks like a fine bullet. I wish they would make .458, .474, .510 and .585, and come out with a solid too.

Looks like another take-off of the Barnes X bullets, eh?

From a 416 Taylor? That bullet should have zinged through the bear and a couple trees beyond.

I am a convert to the North Fork bullet. I shoot it in .30 cal, .340 Wby, .358 STA, .416. It is the most accurate and toughest premium bullet I have ever shot. It is equal to Barnes X on toughness, but far from a Barnes clone. It has a bonded core lead front, and a solid rear shank. The rear shank is also grooved, which prevents excess barrel fouling and eases seating. They are also making a cup point solid, which Mr. Atkinson speaks of. If you ever shoot it you will like it. I have several barrels that liked only particular bullets previously, they all like the North Fork. Good shooting.

------------------

500grains,

Mike mentioned in an e-mail, that he already has .458 bullets...

quote:

---

458-350 $52
458-400 $53
458-450 $54

---

...and plans on adding a couple flat point .458's also. Seem to recall, that he didn't have many on hand, you probably should call him.

Mike also mentioned .474gr bullets in the solid configuration, but not at the time I received the e-mail.

------------------
Brian

Will,

I thought it would go clean through too. But it was a largish black bear, at 450lbs (est.), 6'10"-7'0" squared, and 20 10/16th inch skull (green.) Here's a picture, which also shows the entrance wound...

Mike Brady (owner/builder of NF bullets) answered my question about penetration, saying that basically the velocity at 200 yards, from my Taylor, was at the bottom end of the optimum velocity range for these bullets. They are designed to expand (as it did) and still hold together when shots are at close range (high speed.)

I'm no Barnes X "expert". Their 325gr version shoots fairly well in my Taylor. They have not done well in any of my other rifles though. The NF bullets seem to enjoy a reputation for being accurate with little load development. The grooves are an excellent design, which prevents the solid copper rear half from causing excessive pressures, without resorting to soft copper compounds (early Barnes X.)

Mike Brady, much to his credit, even suggested I try the Barnes bullets, if I continue to shoot bears at that range/velocity. It's my understanding they are designed to open around 1800fps? Some people here have related experiences with Barnes X bullets, where the bullet failed to open, and either "pencil holed" through, or bent like a banana and made strange wound channels. I don't recall if those experiences happened from excess speed (fast cartridge at close range) or when bullets were traveling at relatively low speeds. Could be a combo of both?

Okay, if I keep this up, I'll hit double digit post numbers again!

------------------
Brian

Brian:

It is difficult to see the rifling grooves on the bullet in the photo.

Does the rifling groove bottom out on the bottom of the grooves in the bullet?

I suppose the grooves would generate less friction and maybe less pressure at a given muzzle velocity, but is that a proven fact, advertising, or hearsay? I would also like to hear why these bullets are more accurate than any other (not your job!). There is no apparent reason why they should.

I am just wondering whether this is good stuff or just marketing.

Will

I'm having some success with Northforks. My .308 loves the 165's, shooting well under an MOA. I have been unable to get any of his 375's (270g/300g) to group in my 375 H&H, but I have not given up. The 284 140g bullets shooting well in my 7-08AI.

Why is one bullet more accurate that another? Tolerances. The tighter the tolerances, the better a bullet will generally shoot. Consistent jackets, cores, and swagging procedures are the name of the game in custom bullets.

Michael

Will,

Looking at a North Fork brochure, it appears I may have been wrong about 2000fps being the lowest velocity for reliable expanding with these bullets.

I'd hate to screw up, and give the wrong information.

Check out this link, it's a sectioned NF bullet, and it indicates that the grooves do not "bottom out" after being engraved by the rifleing.

I'll take some more pictures of the bullet above, and some others I've recovered at the range, and try to zoom in on the grooves. Right now, I'm busy packing, and getting our boat ready for a camping trip over the weekend with the family. If a nice one shows up along the way, I'll give these same bullets the test on a brown bear.

I've also recovered some 300gr Barnes X bullets from the same backstop. I'll include pictures of those too.

Just to let everyone know, I'm not associated with North Fork bullets in any form. I will admit, that Mike sent me one free 370gr bullet, to see if I thought it would take up too much case room. That's one bullet, not one box of bullets.

Mike does some sort of pressure testing. I recall him talking about it. The best way to find out about it, is simply to call him. Here's his number...

(307) 436-2726

Very nice guy! Better have your credit card handy when ya call...

------------------
Brian

Thanks for all the info BW, and once again nice bear!!

I may try some of NF's bullets in my .338

Mike

------------------
Victory Through Superior Firepower!

What did the head score on that sucker? It looks square, kind of like an English Bulldog, or maybe he just hit the dirt so hard, it smashed in his nose. What a trophy!!!!!

Does North fork have a web site?

North Fork Technologies, Inc. has no Web site at present, though I understand they are working on one. The Phone number is 307-436-2726. Good shooting.