Source for 7mm Solids

cbvanb

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Anyone know of a source for 7mm solids? A friend and I want to load some for the 7x57, or .275 Rigby, as he insists on calling it!
 
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Barnes, Woodleigh, Rhino
 
Anyone know of a source for 7mm solids? A friend and I want to load some for the 7x57, or .275 Rigby, as he insists on calling it!

Do you mean manufacturers or retailers?
Woodleigh does a hydro solid I think.
 
I should have been more specific. What we want is a true solid, ideally in the 175 gr range. Of the brands mentioned Woodleigh is the only solid, the rest are essentially copper expanding. That Woodleigh is a great bullet, and it may be the only option, I just hoped we could find something closer to the old school round nose, non expanding solids. I thought one of the African makers might have one, but Rhino doesn’t make their monolithic solid in calibers that small.
 
I looked on the internet a while back for .284 solids and couldn't find anything useful. I think the only ones I found were spitzer fmj projectiles.
 
Have you checked with Cutting Edge bullets? They manufacture solids.
Is he aware that long for caliber solids may require a faster twist to stabilize and be accurate?

https://cuttingedgebullets.com/shop
 

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I should have been more specific. What we want is a true solid, ideally in the 175 gr range. Of the brands mentioned Woodleigh is the only solid, the rest are essentially copper expanding. That Woodleigh is a great bullet, and it may be the only option, I just hoped we could find something closer to the old school round nose, non expanding solids. I thought one of the African makers might have one, but Rhino doesn’t make their monolithic solid in calibers that small.
Barnes Banded Solid Bullets feature rings cut into the shank to reduce pressures and allow higher velocities. These bullets have a wider meplat and are designed to penetrate large, dangerous game without deflection, even when striking heavy bone. Constructed of homogenous metal throughout, they do not have a lead core or jacket to separate on impact. The boat tail banded solid bullets are also recommended by Barnes for target shooting as well as taking fur-bearing animals, as their pelts are less likely to get damaged because the bullet is non-expanding. These bullets are coated with Barnes XLC solid dry film lubricant. This is not loaded ammunition.

  • Caliber: 284, 7mm
  • Bullet Diameter: 0.284
  • Bullet Weight: 140 Grains
  • Bullet Style: Spitzer Boat Tail
  • Bullet Coating: Non-coated
Ballistics Information
  • Sectional Density: 0.248
  • Ballistic Coefficient:0.464
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Kobus at Rhino will make solids for you provided you order a minimum quantity.

Woodleigh has been producing bullets since the late 1970s. Producing primarily dangerous game rifle bullets composed of copper, zinc and a pure lead core, Woodleigh introduces a new line of bullets made 100% from brass. This revolutionary Hydrostatically Stabilized Bullet is now generally accepted as the 7th generation in consumer bullets, having taken bullet design to the next level. Combining the most desirable features of modern expanding bullets with the reliability of homogenous solids this environmentally sensitive projectile is unequalled for hunting heavy dangerous game in Africa as well as big game in North America. Also useful for hunting deer in thick cover, this bullet withstands deflection better than any other design, and delivers larger than bullet diameter wound channel.

Technical Information

  • Caliber 7mm
  • Bullet Diameter: 0.284
  • Bullet Weight: 140 Grains
  • Bullet Length: 1.170"
  • Bullet Style: Hydrostatically Stabilized Brass Solid
  • Bullet Coating: Non-coated
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As for more conventional not too sure where you will find those.
 

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You are probably not likely to find many. In the US, the BATF clamps down really hard on manufactuers who produce solid copper bullets that could potentially be used in a handgun. Several cartridges exist for the 7mm out of a T/C contender handgun, ergo.... no solid copper bullets available. Woodleigh is a good bet. However, You may try calling Cutting Edge Bullets as they produce solids in

6.5mm 155grain available here
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and a .308 diameter solid here.
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It might be worth a shot to see why they don't have a 7mm on their webpage because they probably make one similar to the ones on either side of that caliber.
 

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Hmm, cant think of any bulletdiameters below .500" not chambered in a Contender...
 
Hmm, cant think of any bulletdiameters below .500" not chambered in a Contender...
A one off custom job doesn't count. I mean... I could commission a .700 NE derringer but that doesn't mean that it is a production handgun. This is the reason Barnes no longer makes a .366 or a .375 banded solid but they are still allowed to make the .400+ caliber banded solids. They were told that they couldn't sell them in the US. I believe T/C used to made a contender in .376 steyr and they must've made a 9.3 at some point... perhaps the 9.3x74R but I've never seen one in 450/400.
 

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Peregrine, Google for the website, choose US and search the drop down for availability. They have two types, flat point and spitzer.
 
Unlike jacked bullets, Monolithic solids are very simple machined parts that can be produced by any person or shop with turning equipment (metal lathe). Any machine shops with CNC turning capabilities can easily replicate any of the above designs with absolute accuracy and precision. I spent 15 years programming and operating cnc lathes. Monolithic bullets are simple stuff, their is no magic here, just dimensions and a material, no different than any other part. Don't get me wrong, the dimensions, angles and radiuses can be critical, but easy to measure with tools any machine shop will have.

Find something your firearm shoots well and have them made. Just like any other manufactured item, the cost is in the setup. 10 parts might cost the same as 50, or 100...Material for these small diameters will be negligible. Any "Red Metal" supplier can come up with a few feet of rod for machining cheaply.
 
Unlike jacked bullets, Monolithic solids are very simple machined parts that can be produced by any person or shop with turning equipment (metal lathe). Any machine shops with CNC turning capabilities can easily replicate any of the above designs with absolute accuracy and precision. I spent 15 years programming and operating cnc lathes. Monolithic bullets are simple stuff, their is no magic here, just dimensions and a material, no different than any other part. Don't get me wrong, the dimensions, angles and radiuses can be critical, but easy to measure with tools any machine shop will have.

Find something your firearm shoots well and have them made. Just like any other manufactured item, the cost is in the setup. 10 parts might cost the same as 50, or 100...Material for these small diameters will be negligible. Any "Red Metal" supplier can come up with a few feet of rod for machining cheaply.
The only thing I might add if you go this route, is to find out what brass/bronze/copper the bullet manufacturers are using. They have gone through what is likely decades of R&D to perfect their alloy so that it is ductile but hard enough to refrain from deforming and leaves minimal fouling in the bore. IF you can use sketchup (which is free btw) you could potentially design your own solids and send the design to the manufacturer.
 
GS Customs make monos to their design or yours give them a call they may be able to help.
Shawn
 
Unlike jacked bullets, Monolithic solids are very simple machined parts that can be produced by any person or shop with turning equipment (metal lathe). Any machine shops with CNC turning capabilities can easily replicate any of the above designs with absolute accuracy and precision. I spent 15 years programming and operating cnc lathes. Monolithic bullets are simple stuff, their is no magic here, just dimensions and a material, no different than any other part. Don't get me wrong, the dimensions, angles and radiuses can be critical, but easy to measure with tools any machine shop will have.

Find something your firearm shoots well and have them made. Just like any other manufactured item, the cost is in the setup. 10 parts might cost the same as 50, or 100...Material for these small diameters will be negligible. Any "Red Metal" supplier can come up with a few feet of rod for machining cheaply.
Respect like your style ......Have done similar many times once with 303 solid bullets and with many other unavailable parts
 
I should have been more specific. What we want is a true solid, ideally in the 175 gr range. Of the brands mentioned Woodleigh is the only solid, the rest are essentially copper expanding. That Woodleigh is a great bullet, and it may be the only option, I just hoped we could find something closer to the old school round nose, non expanding solids. I thought one of the African makers might have one, but Rhino doesn’t make their monolithic solid in calibers that small.
Probably not what you are looking for, but quite affordable. 174 gr FMJBT
I bought a bunch of these for use on small stuff I just want to poke a hole in and not create too much hide damage. I have not developed a load yet, but a buddy of mine uses them and they seem to shoot well out of his gun. Sub-moa.
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/156

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The bullet material that is prohibited from being used in handguns is brass, all copper bullets are quite legal. If you have questions I'd suggest calling Lehigh Defense, they produce bullets and loaded ammo with all copper bullets in many popular handgun rounds. They also produce all brass bullets for long guns.
 

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