North Fork PP

[Crishuntbrasil]

The North Fork PP (percussion point) as a variation of the excellent SS expanding projectile designed by master Dr. Kevin Robertson and made by NF for use exclusively on big cats! The projectile is a feat of engineering and has a rapid-expanding ring at the top that allows it to expand to its maximum within the first 3 inches of penetration! Ideal for cats that are "thin" compared to other African animals! I spent this week testing these projectiles on various animals such as waterbuck, zebra, kudu, oryx, wildebeest, and nyala! We killed 12 animals using the PP in .375 caliber with an average velocity of 2,556 fps! And I can assure you with absolute certainty that they are not only useful for cats, but also for large antelopes! Because the projectile opens so quickly, the permanent cavity is enormous, weight retention is 98%... and all the side shots passed through, leaving a huge hole at the exit! Of the 12 animals shot, I only recovered 3 bullets! All from frontal shots! I was amazed at the internal damage they cause, as the gun travels 97% of its path at full size. Next year, I have plans for 6 lions and 2 leopards; let's see how it fares on the cats it was bred for!

 

[TOBY458]

I think the next buffalo I hunt with a 375, will be with the 350gr SS. But it looks like those 300gr PP are deadly on PG!

 

[Crishuntbrasil]

I think the next buffalo I hunt with a 375, will be with the 350gr SS. But it looks like those 300gr PP are deadly on PG!

I know that the SS is more recommended for buffaloes and I don't say I recommend it, but I swear to you that after these practical tests, and speaking only between the two of us... I wouldn't be afraid at all to shoot behind the shoulder (avoiding the shoulder blade) of a big buffalo using a 300 grain PP! It opens quickly and as I said, it travels 97% of its trajectory with its full diameter, the hole is big from beginning to end.

 

[Brian]

Yes, the North Fork PP and SS are excellent bullets, Not just "very good" but excellent bullets. Testing the PP on plains game is very informative. Good news to me.

I didn't know that it was designed by "master" Dr. Kevin Robertson. Interesting.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

The North Fork PP (percussion point) as a variation of the excellent SS expanding projectile designed by master Dr. Kevin Robertson and made by NF for use exclusively on big cats! The projectile is a feat of engineering and has a rapid-expanding ring at the top that allows it to expand to its maximum within the first 3 inches of penetration! Ideal for cats that are "thin" compared to other African animals! I spent this week testing these projectiles on various animals such as waterbuck, zebra, kudu, oryx, wildebeest, and nyala! We killed 12 animals using the PP in .375 caliber with an average velocity of 2,556 fps! And I can assure you with absolute certainty that they are not only useful for cats, but also for large antelopes! Because the projectile opens so quickly, the permanent cavity is enormous, weight retention is 98%... and all the side shots passed through, leaving a huge hole at the exit! Of the 12 animals shot, I only recovered 3 bullets! All from frontal shots! I was amazed at the internal damage they cause, as the gun travels 97% of its path at full size. Next year, I have plans for 6 lions and 2 leopards; let's see how it fares on the cats it was bred for!View attachment 705170View attachment 705171View attachment 705173View attachment 705174View attachment 705175View attachment 705176

I am most interested in how the 300gr PP will perform on a leopard. It is the bullet of choice for me at the moment for a leopard hunt next year. I am a big fan of the North Fork offerings. Not sure how many animals now that myself and family members have taken using primarily the SS soft points.

I'm surprised you only recovered 3 out of 12. I would my rate of recovery matches your rate of not recovered. I usually find the bullets in the offside under the skin on the larger antelope. It's only on the smaller, like impala size or less that I get pass throughs.

 

[TOBY458]

I know that the SS is more recommended for buffaloes and I don't say I recommend it, but I swear to you that after these practical tests, and speaking only between the two of us... I wouldn't be afraid at all to shoot behind the shoulder (avoiding the shoulder blade) of a big buffalo using a 300 grain PP! It opens quickly and as I said, it travels 97% of its trajectory with its full diameter, the hole is big from beginning to end.

I’m sure that will make for some nice blood trails and easy recovery.

 

[Crishuntbrasil]

Yes, the North Fork PP and SS are excellent bullets, Not just "very good" but excellent bullets. Testing the PP on plains game is very informative. Good news to me.

I didn't know that it was designed by "master" Dr. Kevin Robertson. Interesting.

In fact, Dr. Robertson approached Mike Brady, former owner and founder of North Fork Bullets, with this specific demand: a reliable tip that would expand quickly in the narrow bodies of large African cats... and they developed the PP, adding to the SS a nasty "ring" that accelerates full expansion in the first three inches of penetration!!! This ring can be seen at the tip of the bullet (can be seen in the photo)

 

[Crishuntbrasil]

I am most interested in how the 300gr PP will perform on a leopard. It is the bullet of choice for me at the moment for a leopard hunt next year. I am a big fan of the North Fork offerings. Not sure how many animals now that myself and family members have taken using primarily the SS soft points.

I'm surprised you only recovered 3 out of 12. I would my rate of recovery matches your rate of not recovered. I usually find the bullets in the offside under the skin on the larger antelope. It's only on the smaller, like impala size or less that I get pass throughs.

The shooting distances in Limpopo are short, that closed savannah rarely allows shots at more than 100 meters, and the vast majority of the shots were lateral, I thought I would recover them all, sadly mistaken. And that was what impressed me the most, particularly with the zebras, which are thick and tough-skinned animals! Maybe I should lower my .375 to 2,500... who knows, I might recover more!

 

[Brian]

In fact, Dr. Robertson approached Mike Brady, former owner and founder of North Fork Bullets, with this specific demand: a reliable tip that would expand quickly in the narrow bodies of large African cats... and they developed the PP, adding to the SS a nasty "ring" that accelerates full expansion in the first three inches of penetration!!! This ring can be seen at the tip of the bullet (can be seen in the photo)

Yes it was something like that, This is my version of the story.

When the founder of NF, Mike Brady, owned the company the excellent SS bullet was designed/invented.

Later when john owned NF, John designed the PP bullet in response to a request from Robertson for a "feline specific bullet."

Robertson said this about John and the PP bullet on a live podcast interview at a 2024 SCI show.

You are right, they both are awesome bullets. Brian

 

[SaintPanzer]

This is very interesting, but I have a couple of silly questions.

Will it ever be available in 270 grain?

How would it expand at say, 1900 to 2000 or so FPS?


Use case would be an M1910 Mannlicher Schönauer.

 

[cajunchefray]

The North Fork PP (percussion point) as a variation of the excellent SS expanding projectile designed by master Dr. Kevin Robertson and made by NF for use exclusively on big cats! The projectile is a feat of engineering and has a rapid-expanding ring at the top that allows it to expand to its maximum within the first 3 inches of penetration! Ideal for cats that are "thin" compared to other African animals! I spent this week testing these projectiles on various animals such as waterbuck, zebra, kudu, oryx, wildebeest, and nyala! We killed 12 animals using the PP in .375 caliber with an average velocity of 2,556 fps! And I can assure you with absolute certainty that they are not only useful for cats, but also for large antelopes! Because the projectile opens so quickly, the permanent cavity is enormous, weight retention is 98%... and all the side shots passed through, leaving a huge hole at the exit! Of the 12 animals shot, I only recovered 3 bullets! All from frontal shots! I was amazed at the internal damage they cause, as the gun travels 97% of its path at full size. Next year, I have plans for 6 lions and 2 leopards; let's see how it fares on the cats it was bred for!View attachment 705170View attachment 705171View attachment 705173View attachment 705174View attachment 705175View attachment 705176

Thank you for your information on NF bullets. They are impressive.

The question comes to mind “At what point did the bullet fail after the animal died?”

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

This is very interesting, but I have a couple of silly questions.

Will it ever be available in 270 grain?

How would it expand at say, 1900 to 2000 or so FPS?


Use case would be an M1910 Mannlicher Schönauer.

North Fork doesn't make a 270gr version of its soft point bullet in .375. It does make a 250gr version that in a .375HH can be loaded to 2800fps or so. At that speed and with lighter construction, there really isn't a need for the PP version of the bullet.

EDIT: I must correct myself. NF does now make a 270gr version of the .375, but yes only in the SS version. I think the idea is the same in that a lighter/quicker version of the bullet does not need the PP design.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

The question comes to mind “At what point did the bullet fail after the animal died?”

When it failed to perform as designed and expected. In the case of the TSX bullets on the other thread that were shown to have not opened up properly, the bullet then behaved more like a solid, a poor performing solid. The fact that the bullet went through either the lungs, heart or both and thus inflicting a mortal wound is fortunate. One can view that as a successful kill, but it does not change the fact that the bullet failed to perform as it was intended to.

But this thread is about North Fork bullets, my personal favorite. I keep reading how all bullets at some point fail and I suppose that's true. However I know I've never seen a NF soft fail to open and not retain at least 85% of its weight and usually more on the order of 95%. But I'm just one hunter, I would not be surprised if someone else has, however I've never read about or have seen a picture of a recovered NF bonded core or for that matter Swift A-Frame that failed to perform as designed to. If anyone has direct experience with either of these bullets failing, I'd be very interested to hear it.

 

[Wahoo]

I’ve a limited set of data however I enjoyed tremendous performance of the .375 Northfork PP loaded to about 2465 fps with good shot placement on warthog (2), impala (5), kudu (2), zebra (3), eland (1). Ranges varied from 75 yds to 260 yds.

Of course I developed the load in a double for a leopard… note that is not included.

 

[SaintPanzer]

North Fork doesn't make a 270gr version of its soft point bullet in .375. It does make a 250gr version that in a .375HH can be loaded to 2800fps or so. At that speed and with lighter construction, there really isn't a need for the PP version of the bullet.

EDIT: I must correct myself. NF does now make a 270gr version of the .375, but yes only in the SS version. I think the idea is the same in that a lighter/quicker version of the bullet does not need the PP design.

Thanks. "Quicker" is the issue. In the .375 H&H (9.5X73), muzzle velocity is not at all a problem. In the Mannlicher (9.5X57), case capacity is very much an issue. I think "best expected" muzzle velocity with a 270 grain bullet is only about 2150 fps or so. After about 150 meters or so, it's really slowing down, especially with a low BC, round nose bullet. I'm mainly using it for thin skinned stuff, so I'm not extremely worried about it, but it's nice to have options...

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Thanks. "Quicker" is the issue. In the .375 H&H (9.5X73), muzzle velocity is not at all a problem. In the Mannlicher (9.5X57), case capacity is very much an issue. I think "best expected" muzzle velocity with a 270 grain bullet is only about 2150 fps or so. After about 150 meters or so, it's really slowing down, especially with a low BC, round nose bullet. I'm mainly using it for thin skinned stuff, so I'm not extremely worried about it, but it's nice to have options...

I think I'd go with the 250gr version in that case,

 

[Crishuntbrasil]

This is very interesting, but I have a couple of silly questions.

Will it ever be available in 270 grain?

How would it expand at say, 1900 to 2000 or so FPS?


Use case would be an M1910 Mannlicher Schönauer.

As it is a bullet made for a specific function, hunting lions and leopards, I doubt it will appear in calibers lower than 375 HH

 

[Crishuntbrasil]

Thank you for your information on NF bullets. They are impressive.

The question comes to mind “At what point did the bullet fail after the animal died?”

It failed to do what it was designed to do. In the case of expanding bullets, they fail when they don't expand or lose more than half their weight in the process. In the case of solid bullets, they fail when they break, bend, or deform, failing to penetrate what they were intended to penetrate. Consider the fact that often the animal we recover from the failed bullet wasn't killed by the bullet itself, but by a bullet from another rifle, usually the backup rifle, the PH's weapon, some time (or days) after the first shot.

 

[Crishuntbrasil]

I think I'd go with the 250gr version in that case,

Remember, the heavier the bullet, the greater the momentum, and the greater the wound diameter and damage after expansion. As a guide, I've hunted thousands of animals with the .375 HH caliber, and I'm passionate about 300-grain bullets. I would never sacrifice that weight for a little more velocity. A 300-grain bullet leaving the muzzle at 2,550 FPS works magic! Think about it carefully!

 

[cajunchefray]

Ye

It failed to do what it was designed to do. In the case of expanding bullets, they fail when they don't expand or lose more than half their weight in the process. In the case of solid bullets, they fail when they break, bend, or deform, failing to penetrate what they were intended to penetrate. Consider the fact that often the animal we recover from the failed bullet wasn't killed by the bullet itself, but by a bullet from another rifle, usually the backup rifle, the PH's weapon, some time (or days) after the first shot.

Yes sir, I stand corrected. I was thinking about another thread on bullet performance. I appreciate your input on real world experience.