Federal Sledgehammer

[Beefeater]

I live in South Africa and have been looking for quality solids to reload for my .416 with no success. I came across Federal Sledgehammer ammunition and read mixed reviews about it. There was some talk of a redesign that happened which improved the bullet. Has anyone got information on this ammo and its suitability for elephant ? I used swift breakaway solids on a tuskless previously but now my only other option seems to be Hornady Solids. Cheers

 

[PeteG]

Sledgehammer solids are good.
I carry them in my 458lott
If I don’t have those then I have woodleigh hydro solids.
My 416rigby I use peregrine brass solids. They are very good too

 

[Hunter-Habib]

There were some problems between 2008-2012. They were prone to breaking apart when striking Cape buffalo shoulder bones, elephant femur bones or the frontal portions of elephant skulls. But the currently produced Federal Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer Solid factory loads are excellent. I use them in my .375 Holland & Holland Magnum.

 

[BeeMaa]

Peregrine Brass Backup bullets are available in RSA and I would trust them for full straight line penetration.

Anither that may be available to you is the Woodleigh Hydro. That’s my preferred choice.

If you happen to come to the US, CEB makes a Safari solid that is top notch. Maybe you can find an AH member to bring some over to you.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

There’s another excellent African bullet- The DZOMBO MK. 6 brass flat nosed monolithic solid.

 

[Beefeater]

Peregrine Brass Backup bullets are available in RSA and I would trust them for full straight line penetration.

Anither that may be available to you is the Woodleigh Hydro. That’s my preferred choice.

If you happen to come to the US, CEB makes a Safari solid that is top notch. Maybe you can find an AH member to bring some over to you.

Hi BeeMaa
My .416 is a remmag.and I load the barnes tsx bullets @ 2400 fps using Varget. I did experience cracking the plastic cap on the Hydros when seating them while working up to 2400 fps. Is there a solution to this problem other than dropping the powder charge ?

 

[BeeMaa]

Hi BeeMaa
My .416 is a remmag.and I load the barnes tsx bullets @ 2400 fps using Varget. I did experience cracking the plastic cap on the Hydros when seating them while working up to 2400 fps. Is there a solution to this problem other than dropping the powder charge ?

The plastic cap on the hydros comes off and you can put it back on when you are done seating. I think your velocity is spot on for the TSX.

My 375H&H shoots the Barnes TSX 300 grain and Woodleigh Hydro 300 grain to the same POI at 100 yards. The Barnes are factory loaded, but the Hydros were worked up by a friend. Both are close to 2450 fps at the muzzle.

 

[coreydb]

I use Peregrine solids I had shipped from RSA; I also used Woodleigh solids. Both have great and deep penetration. I'll try something else only when I use up the last of the bullets. You can't go wrong with these.

 

[Nhoro]

I am in Zim and use Peregrine copper solids in my 458 lott. I would use the brass solids as well but they are slightly longer and take up powder capacity. My brother uses Hornady DGS factory in his 416 rigby,16 + elephants so far. So both will work, it just depends on reload or factory. I have also heard good things about Dzombo solids.