Just received an email that my order for 370g .416 softs and solids are on their way. When they arrive, I will post a photo of the solid. The prototypes Mike sent me have a sharp-edged, slightly cupped nose about .30" in diameter on the .416 bullet.
Stay well,
Paul

What is the physics behind a cupped nose that would produce different performance than a flat nose?

I don't have the answer for that, sorry, but I am sure Mike does. I'll see what the production bulets look and shoot like. If they are cupped as well, I'll ask.

Stay well,

Paul

Dan, I believe the intent was to have a cookie cutter effect, but the prototypes showed a small amount of expansion. Didn't seem to have much effect on penetration thou.

The new ones were going to be a flat nose last I heard. They are a very good looking solid.

I just got a box of the 370 gr 416 solids. They are flat-nosed with a 30 caliber meplat.

They look like a work of art, with driving bands further apart than the lead-nosed copper softs.

If I had my druthers I'd go for a larger meplat, but some rifles might have trouble with feeding in that case.

It'll be a while before I can test them.

I've used the 'softs' on two bears, and neither one exited the far side. I found the bullets lodged under the hide.

Not complaining, as both bears took instant dirt naps.

Do you folks think there's a reason to use solids on a brown bear? I'm getting ready to call Mike with an order, and am wondering about adding a box of solids.

Thanks...

You shot two bears with a 416 and neither bullet exited?



What were the angles on those shots? I would have expected a through and through with a 338 or larger.



I'd never use a solid on a bear.

Don,

First one was a black bear at 170 yards, from my 416 Taylor. Straight from one shoulder to the next. Here's the bear, and then the bullet...



Then an 'assist' on a buddies brown bear, angled a bit from the front left shouulder area, to the middle of the right side. Again, bear and bullet...




Thanks for the advice, I didn't really see the need for solids on bear.

A couple of good-looking bears. (So who am I to be telling you about solids and bears? I have yet to shoot ONE!)

What do you think the impact velocity was on those bears? Did the bullet hit a lot of bone on the way through? What is the MV from your Taylor?


I'm only looking at the solids for second shots on Cape Buffalo someday.

Good to hear from you again, Brian!

Don,

My Taylor is a bit slow. MV was about 2300fps. So by the time it traveled 170yds (lasered), that North Fork wasn't moving too fast. The black bear bullet didn't seem to hit bone.

The brown bear was only about 80yrs and judging by the marking on the side of the bullet I suspect it did hit bone. We were racing the sun to get that bear skinned, as we were in an area with a few more bears hanging around.

I can only dream of Africa for a few more years. So you take care of the Buff, and I'll work on another brownie this Spring.

BTW, the lack of an exit wound hasn't dampened my fondness for North Forks one bit. Mike Brady has one heck of a bullet and he's a real good guy too...

Don ----- I just got my North Fork solids yesterday and plan to start shooting them tomorrow in preparation for a Buffalo hunt in September, I will let you know how they do, I hope. I have used the North Fork bonded core for sometime now and will always shoot them from now on, they are awesome in my rifles. I shoot 7mm, 30 cal, .338, .358, and .416 through a Remington and Rigby. Good luck and good shooting.

Is that a Cape Buffalo hunt in September?

I am interested in how the solids work.

Were you the SOB that bought the last 4 boxes of 416 solids?

Don

Brian,

Maybe I'll win the lottery and go for Brown bear some day. I think it's cheaper to go to Russia than Alaska!

It'll be 2006 for Cape Buffalo if I'm lucky.

Don

Don,

I just bought one box of the 370gr bullets today. But not four!

As always, I had a very informative discussion with Mike about his bullets. The bullets I used on those two bears are a generation or two behind the current lot. Mike tells me the newer ones should give me better penetration.

We talked about the .416 bullet, and how some cartridges can push them very fast (416 Rigby/Weatherby) while mine is obviously on the slow end of the scale. That makes designing the 'perfect' .416 bullet a bit more difficult than it might seem at first.

The simple fact that North Forks do work so well across the velocity spectrum is a testament of their quality. Add in the fact, that they've been reported as very accurate in every case that I've read, and it's a hard combo to beat.

I've committed myself to getting a brown bear of my own this Spring. Whether or not I recover a bullet isn't that important, as long as the bear follows in the footsteps (or lack thereof ) of the two previous bears, I'll be happy.

Brian,

Good luck on the Brown Bear!

I used Sierra Gamekings for years on whitetail, with uniformly deadly results. It wasn't until the internet got started that I found out they were "failing"!! (I almost always found the jacket separated in the [very dead] deer.)

Now I expect a lot from my bullets. It'll be a while before I get to try out these 416 NorthFork bullets, so you keep me posted!

I might get to try one on a black bear this fall, if I'm lucky!

Yes, that is a Cape Buffalo hunt in September, and maybe I was the one that got the last boxs. As usual Mike was very nice about helping out with solids after Bridger closed down. My attitude just seems to be on top limb when North Forks are going out the barrel. Good shooting.

Phurley,

Yep, Mike is definitely a keeper! You were the one I figured got the last boxes. I only got one box of solids -- I decided I wanted more but waited too late.

Mike says 50 is a lifetime supply of solids - that you should use the softs to develop loads, sight in and practice. Then just check the zero with the solids. He says you should get same POI at 50 yards with solids or softs. I'll find out someday!

Good luck on the buff hunt. Where are you going? Who's the PH? What all's on the agenda? Is this enough questions for one post? Wish I was going!

In 2000 when we were in Tanzania, I had some of the first solids from Mike to experiment with. They were the cupped tip .416 Rigby loaded at 2525fps.

After I had my second buff down and known to be dead, I did do some experimenting, all caught on video tape.

I shot through the left front shoulder to the right rear hip. The bullet exited through thefront shoulder bones and rear leg bone. Exiting out the rump. I shot through both front shoulders and both rear hips. Both exited through bone. You could see the grass and dirt movement on the video. The car crew really thought that I was nuts shooting an obviously dead Buff so many times!

As far as the softs go.....................................

The first Buff was shot at a slight quartering away angle. I shot through the right scapula, cervical spine and bullet recovered in the off side skin. That bullet is on his web site. It has less than 90% retained weight, but look what it went through!! I don't feel that many would have done so well.

The second Buff was facing, me straight on. When he raised his head to wind us, I shot him through the cervical spine. The skinner did not produce that bullet. I feel that the $10 bounty was not enough for them to go through the guts to find it. When we took the front carcass out to hang for bait, I examined the spine. I could put 3 fingers through the hole in the middle of the cervical spine. I wear a size 81/2 surgical glove. That ain't small fingers!

I cannot say enough about these bullets as far as terminal performance and accuracy goes. I constantly put 5 shots in a 1/2" group with the .416 and the targets that I sent Mike that I shot 10 softs and 10 solids at, showed only a 1/2" drop in the group at 100 yards. I can only guess that the flat solid was bleeding off the velocity and hit lower due to it. I am loading everything that I load for (except the .243 and 223)with North Fork bullets, period. I don't feel that you can do better unless it is by weapon preference for another premium bullet. As Mike has said, "Reloaders are experimenters." So give em' a try. You won't be disappointed.

Cheers,

Sam

BIGSAM,

Thanks for the anatomically correct information.

I take it you are a surgeon. You can cut my steaks anytime!

How is the copper fouling with these bullets? I know it can be barrel specific, but in general are they bad to foul?

Thanks,

500,
Actually the cup point solid expands quit a bit into a very nice small mushroom...I have a couple of recovered ones, I suppose I could take a picture and email it to you. I don't have the where to fore to post a picture on AR...or rather the know how or wanna!,

Don,

Due to the limited amount of copper that is in contact with the barrel, compared to a standard bullet, the fouling is VERY minimal.

You could look in my muzzle (not scientific) and not see any copper after ten rounds. Mike's .416 was copper colored after two to three rounds of Swift A-Frame's. He was stuck on the idea of the 400 grain bullet. Both he and Tye have changed their minds on that one.

No, I am not a physician. I am a Nurse Practitioner that specializes in orthopedic surgery. I retired from law enforcement in Baltimore and was too old to spend the amount of time it would require to be a doctor. So, the next best thing; I get to do surgery and NO CALL!

One of my partners (out of the 6 of us)was a Vet. Mike, who was also with usis an MD. He provided critical commentary. Between Bill and I, we had a pretty thorough autopsy session going. Mike at North Fork was amused at our glee in being able to do that for him. Just one more thing to make it a special trip.

Taking new bullets to Africa to do R&D on; that was "Priceless" for a bunch of reloading fanatics like us.

Cheers,

Sam

BIG SAM,

I have wanted to do some bullet testing on my carcases, but since I pretty much eat everything I shoot I've never done it. Since you were using the buffs for bait it makes perfect sense to me!

Don

Don G ----- I am going to Tanzania to hunt the Selous with Pierre Van Tonder, thanks to Ray. I leave Sept 27th and will be able to take two Buffalo and five plains game if I have time. I am taking my .416 Rem in a Model 70 Winchester Safari Express. The debate is whether to take a second rifle, my old Alaska standby in .358 STA, for the plains game or just use the .416 for all. It certainly is nice to have a problem like that. Good shooting.

Paul,

Could you post a photo of the NorthFork solids?

George

Don G ----- I hate to add fuel to the fire but I just today shot a one hole group with those North Fork 370 grain solids at 100 yards, with a witness I might add. My load was 80 grains of RL-15 with a Fed 215M primer and Remington Brass. Model 70 Winchester Safari Express with a Ziess 3 X 9 Conquest scope. Chronographed exactly 2500 fps. At least my rifle is ready for Daggo Boy. Good shooting.