Hello,
I'm familiar with the Woodleigh .577" 650grn FMJ bullets (steel/guilding metal jacket), but does anyone make about the same weight FMJ's with just a copper alloy jacket?

Woodleigh.

Mickey,
I recently asked a Woodleigh agent if they did a copper FMJ as well as the steel/guilding metal FMJ - I was told they didn't.

Have you found otherwise?

Regards
Webley

Webley

Yes, Woodleigh makes 650gr. round nose, softs. Contact them directly and get their lists. I don't have the web site but you should be able to do a search.

I have a .577, 650 grain Alex Henry.

Mickey1, I think he is looking for a Copper jacketed "SOLID" rather than a gilding mettel coated steel jacketed solid like the Woodliegh. I don't know why anyone would consider a copper jacket over steel for a solid, but he must have a reason.

Contact Randy and Connie Brooks at Barnes Bullets. They no longer catalog them but bet they could be talked into making you some. Do not know how big a lot you would have to order. Otherwise got to RCE's web and order the stuff to swage your own. Start up costs are a little high but possibilities endless.

Mac,
Yes there is a reason for wanting a relatively 'soft' FMJ.

It's related to the law.

In the UK bullets "designed to expand" (that term is a quote from the law) are prohibited unless special authorisation is given to buy & use them.

As I'll not be shooting game - just targets (in the UK at least) I don't need any expansion & unless I was to use soft points on game I'd not be authorised to possess or use them!

I can & will cast bullets but I'd like to use jacketed ones some of the time.

I've got some Woodleigh 650 steel FMJ's but bearing in mind the comments in Graeme Wrights book regarding the possible (just possible) expansion effects on barrels when steel/guilding metal jackets are used a lot I'd prefer to play safe & save the 'hard' ones untill something really nasty is heading towards me.

Now we all know that relative to a solid lead non jacketed bullet - a copper jacketed soft nose one gives less expansion (& more controlled as well). However the law makers never quite saw it that way & viewed thing's relative to the effects of a FMJ. We stopped hoping for 'logic' to prevail years ago!

I do swage lead bullets but I'd prefer not to get into buying dies (core swage die & final form die) for a relatively limited number of bullets.
Unless I want to compete with Woodleigh that is!

Regards
Webley

Webley, do you mean you can no longer use softpoint bullets for hunting in the U.K.??

Eldeguello,
No not quite.
I said:

"In the UK bullets "designed to expand" (that term is a quote from the law) are prohibited unless special authorisation is given to buy & use them. As I'll not be shooting game - just targets (in the UK at least) I don't need any expansion & unless I was to use soft points on game I'd not be authorised to possess or use them!"

In a nutshell: If you shoot vermin or game then you can (and must) use 'expanding bullets' but you have to jump through the hoops & get the authorisation to use them. This permission will not be given if the intended use is only shooting at paper targets.

I could argue a case that I'd use softpoint bullets in Australia (or where ever) but frankly it's more trouble than it's worth just at the moment for the use I have in mind for the rifle.

Webley
Mac was right, I did misread your post about wanting FMJ in copper.

However, I do have some 650 grain solids that I got in Aus and they are on the Woodleigh bullet board I have.

you have a pm

Mickey,
I think the Woodleigh 650grns you have may well be like the ones I mentioned in my original post.
i.e. steel with a guilding metal (copper alloy) coating.

It was ones with just a copper jacket I was after.

Regards
Webley

You could give Degol in Belgium a try.
He makes 577 Bullets with copper Jacket only.
I have used them on elefant and can recomend them to you.
Can send you a bullet if you give me your address.

pantanal

Pantanal,
Thanks for the name. I've found their address & phone/fax number which I'll try but do you have an e-mail address for them?

I appreciate the offer to send a bullet but rarther than trouble you to send it to the UK I'll consider the mention of 'Degol' to be of help enough.

Regards
Webley

No, unfortunately I don't have an email address from Degol. The easiest way to contact them is by fax. Fax and phone are the same numbers.

No problem to send you a sample. Will you be at the Beltring show?
Have you tried turned brass bullets?

Pantanal

Pantanal,
Thanks for the offer to send a sample. I'll send you a private message with my address.

No I won't be going to the 'War & Peace' show at Beltring - I'm told it's a good event. There's a military vehicle display at a local show each year but it's nothing compared to Beltring.

Thanks also to everyone who gave advice.
FYI - I contacted Barnes but it seems they won't do the copper jacket FMJ's even to special order any more.

Regards
Webley