North Fork PP

[Crishuntbrasil]

My only concern is that I don't want to shoot something where "avoiding the shoulder blade" is part of the equation....too many thing can go wrong, and I want something that will get the job done even if everything else is not perfectly right! Right tool for right job.

I agree with you, for large and resistant bodies, this is the SS...but without an emergency, the PP won't do badly!

 

[Crishuntbrasil]

View attachment 705599

NF 375 300 gr PP from recent lion.
375 HH. MV 2590. 70 yards.

That's what a friend said in the posts, any bullets we manage to recover from them can be used in an official company advertisement. That's what I call consistency and great results.

 

[Crishuntbrasil]

I did recover a few of the .375 300 grain Northfork PP. they all looked exactly like this one recovered from under the hide on the offside shoulder of a mature eland bull. View attachment 705521View attachment 705522

This "child" ate a few bones along the way, but he's still as beautiful as a well-nourished mushroom!

 

[Brian]

I agree with you, for large and resistant bodies, this is the SS...but without an emergency, the PP won't do badly!

Do you mean cape buffalo when you say "large and resistant bodies" or large plains game?

 

[Crishuntbrasil]

Do you mean cape buffalo when you say "large and resistant bodies" or large plains game?

I'm specifically referring to African buffalo, water buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest... these are the three hardest-hitting animals in the world! Eland is a large animal but can't handle bullets; once wounded, it gives up quickly. I've lost count of the elands I've hunted with 30.06. This year, in one day, we hunted three huge eland bulls with a Saeur 101 at 30.06 using 180-grain accubond, one shot each, the second at 240 meters.

 

[Brian]

I'm specifically referring to African buffalo, water buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest... these are the three hardest-hitting animals in the world! Eland is a large animal but can't handle bullets; once wounded, it gives up quickly. I've lost count of the elands I've hunted with 30.06. This year, in one day, we hunted three huge eland bulls with a Saeur 101 at 30.06 using 180-grain accubond, one shot each, the second at 240 meters.

Thanks, makes sense. Brian

 

[Brian]

i have used north fork bullets for a while now and have been impressed with their consistent performance.

i use 300 gr ss out of my 375 ruger at 2450 fps (tried to duplicate factory load) 20" barrel. have shot 4 or 5 brown bears (backup shooting) any bullet recovered could be used in an ad for them. the same for the 2 moose shot with it.

i have also used the 400 gr ss (on my one and only buffalo, 450/400 at 2100 fps) 2 moose at 200 and 325 yards, a blue wildebeest (200 yards) the buff was 30 yards away, both recovered, perfect performance. the wildebeest was broadside (shot with 400 gr pp) and that bullet was NOT recovered.

i loaded up some cup point solids and solids, have yet to shoot anything with them. (for the 450/400)

i believe that the NF softs are maybe the best softs made (no experience with the SA rhino bullets but they seem to be great performers as well). AND you can actually find them available and order them!

1 dirthawker,
I appreciate your reports on NF Bullet terminal performance.

I value your opinion the following.
Do you think that the 300 gr. NF PP in .375 would perform well on Moose? ( Not many Northerner seem to have your experience with NF SS bullets on big bears and moose. )

I am guessing that the NF 300 gr. PP would hold together and penetrate deep/straight in a moose.
I have a pal who hunts moose successfully in the Yukon with a .375 HH who appreciates premium bullets. I am asking on his behalf.

Yes, I have been told that NF SS often goes right through small and medium size African PG. It still kills PG like a "hammer" of course.

I have used Rhino bullets on PG with success. I don't know if they are double rifle friendly. ( ? )

I agree with you about the NF soft possibly being the "best".
I use the CEB Raptors. .510 in 50-110 Winchester on cape buffalo and really like them. DRT.

Thanks again for your proven comments.

 

[1dirthawker]

Do you think that the 300 gr. NF PP in .375 would perform well on Moose? ( Not many Northerner seem to have your experience with NF SS bullets on big bears and moose. )

i have no doubt that they would do a fantastic job. on both bears and moose.

 

[Brian]

i have no doubt that they would do a fantastic job. on both bears and moose.

Thanks, Good to know.

 

[375Ruger416]

Thanks, Good to know.

Reading the north fork website they specifically recommend the PP for all North American thin-skinned game including bears. It is still a deep penetrating bullet, just has rapid initial expansion. Sounds like it functions much like a partition.

On the other hand, the semi-spitzer is intended for thick-skinned game or ultra-fast cartridges such as the weatherby or nosler cartridges.

I’d love to load up some for my 375 H&H. May have to take up reloading after all.

https://www.northforkbullets.com/bullet-construction/percussion-point-pp/

 

[Brian]

Reading the north fork website they specifically recommend the PP for all North American thin-skinned game including bears. It is still a deep penetrating bullet, just has rapid initial expansion. Sounds like it functions much like a partition.

On the other hand, the semi-spitzer is intended for thick-skinned game or ultra-fast cartridges such as the weatherby or nosler cartridges.

I’d love to load up some for my 375 H&H. May have to take up reloading after all.

https://www.northforkbullets.com/bullet-construction/percussion-point-pp/

375Ruger416,
Thanks for the info. I should have read their website better. I am one of those guys who doesn't read the instructions!
Appreciate it, Brian

 

[375Ruger416]

375Ruger416,
Thanks for the info. I should have read their website better. I am one of those guys who doesn't read the instructions!
Appreciate it, Brian

Ha ha - me too! I was reading it last night and pondering buying a 416 rem mag barrel for my R8 or another rifle, loading 350 gr softs for a buffalo hunt next year or sticking with 300 gr in 375 I’ve got. Using and shooting the 375 I’ve got is obviously the practical answer, but that doesn’t seem to settle anything!

 

[Brian]

You inspired me to read the NF bullet description thoroughly, thanks.

Between 375 and 416 for buffalo?
You have probably heard my personal opinion before, I don't think that the 375 is a good cape buffalo cartridge even with NF or CEB bullets. I doesn't kill them fast enough for me.
I like big bores for cape buffalo. " Cape buffalo cartridges begin at .416" as far as I am concerned.
JMO, Brian

 

[375Ruger416]

Well, this will be my first buffalo hunt. Unsure if I will do anymore. I love hunting kudu and other plains game and not sure how many Cape buffalo hunts I’ll do. Elephant are non-importable to Canada. Hippo on land appeal to me, but crocs don’t.

It also remains to be seen if I can shoot a 416 or bigger well, I am just getting familiar with my 375. However, a 22” barrel for my R8 with a 1-6 sounds like great buffalo medicine. We shall see.

 

[Razorback]

Ha ha - me too! I was reading it last night and pondering buying a 416 rem mag barrel for my R8 or another rifle, loading 350 gr softs for a buffalo hunt next year or sticking with 300 gr in 375 I’ve got. Using and shooting the 375 I’ve got is obviously the practical answer, but that doesn’t seem to settle anything!

375 HH with 300 gr Northfork SS is absolutely perfect medicine for Cape buffalo. Used this combination a couple weeks ago with great success. Have used 404, 450 Rigby and 500 NE on buffalo and can’t tell a bit of difference in how they react to the initial shot. You can’t overpower a Buffalo. 375 HH was good enough 100 years ago and it’s awesome now with today’s bonded bullets.

 

[Brian]

375 HH with 300 gr Northfork SS is absolutely perfect medicine for Cape buffalo. Used this combination a couple weeks ago with great success. Have used 404, 450 Rigby and 500 NE on buffalo and can’t tell a bit of difference in how they react to the initial shot. You can’t overpower a Buffalo. 375 HH was good enough 100 years ago and it’s awesome now with today’s bonded bullets.

Well, this will be my first buffalo hunt. Unsure if I will do anymore. I love hunting kudu and other plains game and not sure how many Cape buffalo hunts I’ll do. Elephant are non-importable to Canada. Hippo on land appeal to me, but crocs don’t.

It also remains to be seen if I can shoot a 416 or bigger well, I am just getting familiar with my 375. However, a 22” barrel for my R8 with a 1-6 sounds like great buffalo medicine. We shall see.

Kudu are awesome to hunt, but I thing that you'll really get into the intensity of cape buffalo hunting. You will be wound tight. It really focuses the mind, not that Kudu are a walk in the park either.
Your NF SS bullets are your friend! ( I am very picky about my buffalo bullets.)
That's my take on buffalo hunting.

Your 416 in a R8 is an excellent tool for buffalo. ( I sure would like to hunt with an R8. )
Most hunters who have lots of cape buffalo experience with the .416 know that it kills much quicker than the .375.

You will practice with cheap ammo loaded moderately, off the sticks at 50 yds. When the time comes you won't notice the recoil of your full load 416. A good hit in the shoulder with a NF .416 bullet kills decisively. Your PH and tracker will have an easy day.

Good hunting and get some pictures.