375 H&H solid Swift ammo vs Norma sold ammo

[dersark]

Hello all, I need some help in Ammo Balestics. In couple of months I am heading to Africa for Cap buffalo and Elephant hunt. I have Swift soft A fram 300 gr and Swift solid 300 gr. for backup , mean while I have Norma 300 ammo left over from 2007 in my safe loaded with BARNES solid bullets. (I don't think the new Norma uses Barnes solid bulets any more.) Base on information printed on the box It appears to me ( I might be wrong ) Norma ammo producess more knoking power that Swift.
Any professional help appriciated./
Lazik

 

[375Fox]

You’d really need to chronograph it to know. The velocities printed on box don’t mean much. They are likely both very similar. If hunting elephant I’d look at the performance of the solid. Barnes had a proven track record of not deforming. The swift solid may be great but I don’t know of many used or their results. The swift appears designed to deform slightly and flatten on impact which I wouldn’t think ideal for Elephant brain shots. Talk to your PH about which solid he’d like to see you use on elephant. The difference in energy or knock down between the two is likely very little difference. The bullet performance means more.
Swift solids and A frames should have the same point of impacts. The Norma ammo will likely be slightly different something else to consider.

 

[wesheltonj]

It looks like your Norma is 300g and not the 350g, it’s the 350 grain that kicks more. If that is your question.

 

[Ruraldoc]

I have current 375 Barnes Banded Solid ammo as well as current Norma Solids. They are different bullets for sure.

My PH said they are both awesome solids.

They are both monolythic solids. The Normas have a flatter nose.

Both are accurate in my rifles. I’ve used solids as backup ammo in Africa, but never shot them at game, Buffalo being the biggest animal I’ve hunted.

 

[dersark]

It looks like your Norma is 300g and not the 350g, it’s the 350 grain that kicks more. If that is your question.

Hello, I don't think Norma has 350 grain for 375 caliber in US.

 

[dersark]

You’d really need to chronograph it to know. The velocities printed on box don’t mean much. They are likely both very similar. If hunting elephant I’d look at the performance of the solid. Barnes had a proven track record of not deforming. The swift solid may be great but I don’t know of many used or their results. The swift appears designed to deform slightly and flatten on impact which I wouldn’t think ideal for Elephant brain shots. Talk to your PH about which solid he’d like to see you use on elephant. The difference in energy or knock down between the two is likely very little difference. The bullet performance means more.
Swift solids and A frames should have the same point of impacts. The Norma ammo will likely be slightly different something else to consider.

I have not fired yet to compare the trajectery of either one

 

[dersark]

I have current 375 Barnes Banded Solid ammo as well as current Norma Solids. They are different bullets for sure.

My PH said they are both awesome solids.

They are both monolythic solids. The Normas have a flatter nose.

Both are accurate in my rifles. I’ve used solids as backup ammo in Africa, but never shot them at game, Buffalo being the biggest animal I’ve hunted.

I will try targetting and compare before I take them over.

 

[wesheltonj]

Hello, I don't think Norma has 350 grain for 375 caliber in US.

Yes they do, but it sells out as soon as the retailers get it. I have two ammo cans full of the 350g thankfully.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Hello all, I need some help in Ammo Balestics. In couple of months I am heading to Africa for Cap buffalo and Elephant hunt. I have Swift soft A fram 300 gr and Swift solid 300 gr. for backup , mean while I have Norma 300 ammo left over from 2007 in my safe loaded with BARNES solid bullets. (I don't think the new Norma uses Barnes solid bulets any more.) Base on information printed on the box It appears to me ( I might be wrong ) Norma ammo producess more knoking power that Swift.
Any professional help appriciated./
Lazik

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Hi, @dersark

Both will provide you with satisfactory results. Depending upon what rifle you use, the Swift Break Away Solid (due to being a conventional lead cored design) will go softer for older rifle barrels than the Norma loaded Barnes Banded Solid (which is of monometal construction).

I believe that in recent years (post 2022), Norma has once again stopped loading their big bore cartridges with their proprietary flat nosed monometal solids and turned to employing Barnes Banded Solids once more (which are now all round nosed barring the .410, .474, .510, .585 & .620 calibers).

Round nose vs Flat nose isn’t really as big of a deal as you think. Conventional wisdom teaches us that the flat nosed solid will outpenetrate the round nosed solid… but this only applies if all other factors are equal (which is seldom the case in the field). The issue I’ve observed with round nosed solids, is that they have a relatively larger chance of deviating from a straight course than a flat nosed solid (but only just). I’ve had a chance to study this extensively upon taking shoulder shots on hippopotamus bulls during two different Safaris (once with the older flat nosed 300Gr Barnes Banded Solids and once with the current production round nosed 300Gr Barnes Banded Solids). But both dropped the game cleanly.

P.S: I know that I’m probably preaching to the choir, but never initiate a Cape buffalo hunt with a solid (esp. when they are herds). Load your full magazine with 300Gr Swift A Frames.

 

[Philip Glass]

If you use TSX you will only need solids for an ele brain shot. I hope you have a great safari!

 

[dersark]

Hi, @dersark

Both will provide you with satisfactory results. Depending upon what rifle you use, the Swift Break Away Solid (due to being a conventional lead cored design) will go softer for older rifle barrels than the Norma loaded Barnes Banded Solid (which is of monometal construction).

I believe that in recent years (post 2022), Norma has once again stopped loading their big bore cartridges with their proprietary flat nosed monometal solids and turned to employing Barnes Banded Solids once more (which are now all round nosed barring the .410, .474, .510, .585 & .620 calibers).

Round nose vs Flat nose isn’t really as big of a deal as you think. Conventional wisdom teaches us that the flat nosed solid will outpenetrate the round nosed solid… but this only applies if all other factors are equal (which is seldom the case in the field). The issue I’ve observed with round nosed solids, is that they have a relatively larger chance of deviating from a straight course than a flat nosed solid (but only just). I’ve had a chance to study this extensively upon taking shoulder shots on hippopotamus bulls during two different Safaris (once with the older flat nosed 300Gr Barnes Banded Solids and once with the current production round nosed 300Gr Barnes Banded Solids). But both dropped the game cleanly.

P.S: I know that I’m probably preaching to the choir, but never initiate a Cape buffalo hunt with a solid (esp. when they are herds). Load your full magazine with 300Gr Swift A Frames.

Hello Habib,
Thanks for detail explanation. My rifle is 100 year old Jeffery ( you scared the hell out of me ). I have heard good things about Swift A frames but have not heard any conversations for Swift solid nose. Meanwhile I am taking A - frames for Buffalo.
Sark

 

[dersark]

If you use TSX you will only need solids for an ele brain shot. I hope you have a great safari!

Hi Philip,
Previously I hunted plaines games with Barnes 270 grain TSX , it is a solid and soft combination, a great bullet, I don’t have 300 TSX NORMA and here in California ordering ammo from out of state is a big headache .

 

[dersark]

You’d really need to chronograph it to know. The velocities printed on box don’t mean much. They are likely both very similar. If hunting elephant I’d look at the performance of the solid. Barnes had a proven track record of not deforming. The swift solid may be great but I don’t know of many used or their results. The swift appears designed to deform slightly and flatten on impact which I wouldn’t think ideal for Elephant brain shots. Talk to your PH about which solid he’d like to see you use on elephant. The difference in energy or knock down between the two is likely very little difference. The bullet performance means more.
Swift solids and A frames should have the same point of impacts. The Norma ammo will likely be slightly different something else to consider.

You’d really need to chronograph it to know. The velocities printed on box don’t mean much. They are likely both very similar. If hunting elephant I’d look at the performance of the solid. Barnes had a proven track record of not deforming. The swift solid may be great but I don’t know of many used or their results. The swift appears designed to deform slightly and flatten on impact which I wouldn’t think ideal for Elephant brain shots. Talk to your PH about which solid he’d like to see you use on elephant. The difference in energy or knock down between the two is likely very little difference. The bullet performance means more.
Swift solids and A frames should have the same point of impacts. The Norma ammo will likely be slightly different something else to consider.

 

[dersark]

You’d really need to chronograph it to know. The velocities printed on box don’t mean much. They are likely both very similar. If hunting elephant I’d look at the performance of the solid. Barnes had a proven track record of not deforming. The swift solid may be great but I don’t know of many used or their results. The swift appears designed to deform slightly and flatten on impact which I wouldn’t think ideal for Elephant brain shots. Talk to your PH about which solid he’d like to see you use on elephant. The difference in energy or knock down between the two is likely very little difference. The bullet performance means more.
Swift solids and A frames should have the same point of impacts. The Norma ammo will likely be slightly different something else to consider.

Thanks for explanations, I believe Barnes TAX ammo in 375 is available here in California at Bass pro shop.