Woodleigh Hydro's

Mark R

AH enthusiast
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Messages
412
Reaction score
1,263
Location
Australia
Media
157
Hunting reports
Africa
2
Australia/NZ
2
Hunted
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa
Just loading up some of the hydro's in for my 450NE (480gr) and 416RM (400gr). The .416's have done the job before and I'm sure the .450's will also...

Cheers,
Mark.
60267811_483021475776053_1606499286906830848_n.jpg
 
I've never used their hydros, but quite a few of their 50gr RNSN and FMJs. Mainly because the uniform conical shape of the projectile aids in feeding the cartridge from the magazine, onto the ramp, and into the chamber. Thus the projectile reduces the potential for jamming the action.

As you can infer, I value my hide and limbs too much to risk having a jam where DG are concerned! In your experience have you had misfeeds etc, when checking your ammo BEFORE you venture out? And if so, what did you do to rectify the issue to make the rifle feed reliably?

I know hydros have been proven to have superb terminal ballistics as scientific studies mention the Aussie and NZ Govt Veterinarians use them to dispatch beached whales.
 
They look nice, Mark!

Timbo, so far I’ve seen them used in a CZ550 .416 Rigby, M98 .300H&H, Sako .375H&H, and Sako .500 Jeffery - all with no jams EXCEPT that the two Sakos required the green nose caps. That’s bolt actions - have used them in single-shots and lever-actions, too.
 
Thanks Ben. Yes I heard that caps can be used to facilitate that all too crucial hiccough up from the mag and onto the ramp. But are they secure and reliable enough to risk your appendages and/or life on?

Yes, bolt actions is the killer, as single shots and doubles you just plunk them in - no problem. But it's precisely with bolt actions - which are arguably the most common action type DG are hunted with today - that I'm concerned about.

It may be too late for my forthcoming DG hunt. But next year I'm hoping for an ele, which I MIGHT use hydros on.
 
IMG_0749.JPG
I have used hydro's in my 338WM Ruger, a Remington 798 in 458WM, my 416RM and my 9.3x62, all without the caps. The only one not to feed them smooth has been the 9.3x62. Of course I don't expect feed issues with my double :giggle:

The 416RM and the 450NE are being prepared for elephant next year.....

Cheers,
Mark.
 
You need pliers to remove the green caps, they’re very secure. Feeding so far has been slick and dependable, and in my .500 Jeffery it’s better than the 600 grain PPSNs, which feed good.

The other thing, I believe a gunsmith can get the projectiles you want to use feeding perfectly if there are problems initially.
 
Mark do you remove the caps? Or have some uncapped left?
 
You need pliers to remove the green caps, they’re very secure.

I will second this. I cannot imagine these caps coming off inadvertently!
 
Mark do you remove the caps? Or have some uncapped left?

Both Tim. Still have some .416 cal and .338 and some 9.3's without caps.

Mark.
 
Go the Aussie product!!!:A No1:
Its all good news, I'm planning on using Woodleigh hydros In my .375H&H that I collect next week. I just need to burn up some PPU factory loads for brass and I will try these on an unsuspecting pigs.
I'm hoping to Bust Buff one day and I think I will take hydros, I have some in the cupboard already. :D
Not cheap range time but I want to be competent with this setup when I need it for real.
I didn't know they used Woodleigh on whales, makes sense straight line penetration etc. I hadn't found that info in my reading
 
I've never used their hydros, but quite a few of their 50gr RNSN and FMJs. Mainly because the uniform conical shape of the projectile aids in feeding the cartridge from the magazine, onto the ramp, and into the chamber. Thus the projectile reduces the potential for jamming the action.

As you can infer, I value my hide and limbs too much to risk having a jam where DG are concerned! In your experience have you had misfeeds etc, when checking your ammo BEFORE you venture out? And if so, what did you do to rectify the issue to make the rifle feed reliably?

I know hydros have been proven to have superb terminal ballistics as scientific studies mention the Aussie and NZ Govt Veterinarians use them to dispatch beached whales.
 
This is Kimbo. I am a relatively new member and am loving it. MY question- I am hoping you can steer me: I am hunting Tanzania in late Aug. for Cape Buff and in need of
Factory Federal Premium .416 Rigby Woodleigh Wellcore 410 gr. soft points, P416A. I have one box left and need two - three more boxes. I can drill shots on top of each other with my CZ 550 Safari Classic with that particular cartridge. However, Federal stopped making it years ago, and I am hoping if I could post my need at the right forum or whereever you suggest at Africahunting.com, those with that ammo from years ago might respond to sell to me.

Thoughts?

(Also, I have already checked Ammoseek.com and Old West Scrounger, nada.)

Kimbo
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Fellas, i can't seem to find caps for the .505. I've had feeding issues wo the caps. Thanks in advance, MIke
 
This is Kimbo. I am a relatively new member and am loving it. MY question- I am hoping you can steer me: I am hunting Tanzania in late Aug. for Cape Buff and in need of
Factory Federal Premium .416 Rigby Woodleigh Wellcore 410 gr. soft points, P416A. I have one box left and need two - three more boxes. I can drill shots on top of each other with my CZ 550 Safari Classic with that particular cartridge. However, Federal stopped making it years ago, and I am hoping if I could post my need at the right forum or whereever you suggest at Africahunting.com, those with that ammo from years ago might respond to sell to me.

Thoughts?

(Also, I have already checked Ammoseek.com and Old West Scrounger, nada.)

Kimbo

These guys may be able to help you in re-creating those loads:

https://www.superiorammo.com/

https://hendershots.net/product/416-rigby-extreme-custom-ammo/
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2019-06-21 at 4.53.37 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2019-06-21 at 4.53.37 PM.png
    4.6 MB · Views: 219
  • Screen Shot 2019-06-21 at 4.53.39 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2019-06-21 at 4.53.39 PM.png
    5.4 MB · Views: 216
  • Screen Shot 2019-06-21 at 4.53.41 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2019-06-21 at 4.53.41 PM.png
    5.4 MB · Views: 204
  • Screen Shot 2019-06-21 at 4.53.54 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2019-06-21 at 4.53.54 PM.png
    6.5 MB · Views: 229
I have taken 1 Cape Buff and two elephants with the Hydros in 416 Rigby (CZ550) the buff and first ele with uncapped and no feeding issues. The green caps can betaken off easy enough, I just bite on then and pull the case downwards, then just pop them back on. I have heard of the CZ550's having trouble with the uncapped jobs. Always the ones feeding from the left side but a good smith can fix this without much trouble.

I have also used the uncapped ones in 303's, 35 Whelan, 358RUM, 300SAUM and 308. No feeding issues.

Kimbo if you were in Australia I could probably get some to you. The three big critter I hit with them were one shot kills, still put in a second shot.
 
Greg, have I missed an ele story? Did you go to Namibia twice?

Yes Ben, just back from there. I have not done any write ups yet as a mate is trying to convince me to do an article for one of the shooting magazines.

Got my Ele on day 2, did a lot of interesting sight seeing then went to a Game Ranch/Lodge to cull some plains game.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
53,636
Messages
1,131,690
Members
92,724
Latest member
JoelKalman
 

 

 

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Early morning Impala hunt, previous link was wrong video

Headshot on jackal this morning

Mature Eland Bull taken in Tanzania, at 100 yards, with 375 H&H, 300gr, Federal Premium Expanding bullet.

20231012_145809~2.jpg
 
Top