Bullet Performance Database

It was Zimbabwe near Lake Kariba. We were actually hunting on peninsula that was surrounded by the lake.
 
To me it the NF bonded cores represent the best of the old and new. Like Velo Dog, I like lead up front. It's time tested and proven that lead tips will expand. But the lead is bonded. And while it makes for a somewhat longer bullet in comparison to a Partition (a bullet I still have affection for), it's pretty difficult with the all copper back to not have near perfect mushrooms. Furthermore the driving band design typically results in my loads to require less powder for the same velocity in comparison to bullet that don't have this design.

There are two drawbacks to the North Forks, price being the first. But develop your load and only use them for hunting. This is not a practice bullet.

The second is that with that driving band design, the bullets are just a bit larger in diameter than other bullets of the same caliber. This makes accuracy susceptible to variation in neck thickness of your brass. Either turn your necks or use better brass. I chose the latter and use Normal and/or Lapua brass depending on the caliber. This again adds cost to your rounds, but again use them for hunting not practice.

One way to reduce that cost a little bit is to use more standard brass such as Remington during load development. You'll find about every 3 to 4 shots is a flyer. No problem, just eliminate that shot and use the others to let you know when you're close to a good load. This will tell you what powder and approximately the weight you need when you switch to better brass. When you switch back off a couple of grains of powder and work back to that load you believe will work.

It's a great hunting bullet and I don't think you'll ever be disappointed.

Do you know that there has been difference between volumes of Usa made and Nordic made (Norma, Lapua, Sako)cases in 300 Win Mag cal. I dont remember which way it goes. but my advice is to check all the cases that they have same volume.
 
Do you know that there has been difference between volumes of Usa made and Nordic made (Norma, Lapua, Sako)cases in 300 Win Mag cal. I dont remember which way it goes. but my advice is to check all the cases that they have same volume.

that is very good advice as it could spell disaster if you are close to max
 
Shot a buffalo cow this past Saturday.

400gr Northfork SS @ 2250fps from my 404 Jeffery

Distance 30m

Weight retention: 356gr & 344gr

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Making @Velo Dog and @PHOENIX PHIL proud. Lead up front.
Been wanting to try A-Frames for years. Kind of used my Kudu bullet and this thread as a reason to pull the trigger. Pun intended.
I used some Norma Oryx in my 243 and really liked them, but just can’t seem to get any bullets to try in my 300wsm. Hopefully these will shoot well and go to Namibia on my next trip.
 
Great shot placement DWB :A Way To Go:
 
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Making @Velo Dog and @PHOENIX PHIL proud. Lead up front.
Been wanting to try A-Frames for years. Kind of used my Kudu bullet and this thread as a reason to pull the trigger. Pun intended.
I used some Norma Oryx in my 243 and really liked them, but just can’t seem to get any bullets to try in my 300wsm. Hopefully these will shoot well and go to Namibia on my next trip.

What caliber?
 

Should serve you well. You'll get plenty of velocity to get them opened up. Look forward to hearing your experience with them.
 
7mm 175gr A-Frame
Pronghorn Antelope - Frontal chest shot, facing square on
Range - 84 yards
Muzzle Velocity 3100 fps
Impact Velocity - 2950 fps
Retained Weight - 154 gr
Expanded Diameter - .700”
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7mm 175 gr A-Frame
Pronghorn Antelope - Frontal chest shot - angling on
Range - 293 yards
Muzzle Velocity -3100 fps
Impact Velocity - 2540 fps
Retained Weight - 173.3 gr
Expanded Diameter - .610”
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7mm 175 gr A-Frame
Pronghorn Antelope - Frontal chest shot - angling on
Range - 293 yards
Muzzle Velocity -3100 fps
Impact Velocity - 2540 fps
Retained Weight - 173.3 gr
Expanded Diameter - .610”
View attachment 217272
IdaRam , is that from a 7mm Remington Magnum? If so, 3,100fps for a 175gr bullet is really cranking!
Also, I’ve never been able to stalk within 84 yards of an antelope! Excellent job!
 
IdaRam , is that from a 7mm Remington Magnum? If so, 3,100fps for a 175gr bullet is really cranking!
Also, I’ve never been able to stalk within 84 yards of an antelope! Excellent job!
Hi Ridgewalker. Yes, that would really be a high pressure load from a 7mm Rem! :eek:
I forgot to include in the original posts, cartridge is a 7mm STW.
And thank you for the compliment :D It was a long stalk, close to a mile, but I had some nice contours in the land to sneak in and the wind cooperated. But if I am being completely honest, the antelope did some of the work. I belly crawled up on top of a ridge at about 250 yards and the antelope saw me and came running :eek::) There was about 50 of them with a dozen or so bucks in the herd. I guess they couldn’t figure out what I was. They actually ran around me in a circle and I was afraid I wasn’t even going to get a shot before they disappeared in a cloud of dust. Quite a circus it was! :D
 
Thought you guys might like to see this.
The bullet on the left is a .416 caliber 400 grain Barnes TSX recovered from a Cape Buffalo. Cartridge .416 Remington Magnum. Retained weight 398.9 grains.
The bullet in the middle is a .375 caliber 300 grain Swift A-Frame recovered from a Kudu. Cartridge .375 H & H Magnum. Retained weight 258.0 grains. FYI this bullet hit facing on and penetrated over 6 feet-was found in the rear end against the skin.
The bullet on the right is a .366 caliber 250 grain Barnes TSX recovered from a Gemsbok. Cartridge 9.3 x 62 Mauser. Retained weight 250.0 grains.
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Two great hunting bullets you have chosen Quaticman. I'm working with a new to me rifle/caliber for our planes game hunt this summer. It's a 338 win mag that started life as an old M70 Laredo 7 mag. Had it re-barreled with a Benchmark barrel with the intent of using Barnes 225gr TTSX. Really like the results so far. A man can never have too many M70s!!

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I wish I had a bullet to show and measure the weight retention but it was a complete pass through.
GS Customs 200gr HV
375 Ruger
3213fps at muzzle
427 yards
Approximately 2000fps at impact
Whitetail deer
Quartering away
Entering center of right front shoulder exiting just left of center of brisket.
Exit hole 4”-6” breaking at least 5 ribs and 1/2-2/3 of right lung was laying on ground at point of impact.
Shawn
 
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Should serve you well. You'll get plenty of velocity to get them opened up. Look forward to hearing your experience with them.
My Kimber liked the A-Frame.
180 A-Frame
IMR4350 62.5 gr
WLRM primer
Hornady brass
COAL 2.815

This was the second load tested.
 
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Impact shots from the last hunt

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.

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