180gr or 200 gr in 30cal Mag

[IvW]

IvW, you may or may not remember this, but it was because of your recommendation that my son Art Lambart II purchased and used this round for his Safari in 2018. BTW I believe that he made the adjustment suggested prior to departure.

I sure do remember, and I trust it worked out just fine.

 

[Art Lambart II]

I sure do remember, and I trust it worked out just fine.

It worked great provided I did my part. I learned the Black Wildebeests are wimps and Springbok are much tougher than they look.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

TBBC and Rhino(bonded front core that opens up into petals and a solid rear shank-the best of the best) are the two best expanding bullets available in my opinion and close behind them is the Swift A frame

IvW, do you have any experience with north fork bullets? They are a solid shank like the bear claw, and best of all they make a 350 grain .375 bullet. I plan to try some as soon as the new owner starts production.

 

[IvW]

Great bullet but I was under the impression they had closed down

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Great bullet but I was under the impression they had closed down

@Jorgen Bostrom from Sweden has bought out North Fork and is moving production to his country. I think we're due for an update from Jorgen on where things stand as far as production being started up again.

 

[IvW]

@Jorgen Bostrom from Sweden has bought out North Fork and is moving production to his country. I think we're due for an update from Jorgen on where things stand as far as production being started up again.

That is good news

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

IvW, do you have any experience with north fork bullets? They are a solid shank like the bear claw, and best of all they make a 350 grain .375 bullet. I plan to try some as soon as the new owner starts production.

I've loaded NorthFork bonded cores for 7x57, .308W, .30-06, .300WM and .375HH. All plains game loads, but largest was the 300gr for the .375HH. I've been nothing but impressed with that bullet. And between myself and my family, there's now a lot of African game on the ground using those bonded cores.

I think the 350gr version would be great on buffalo. But with the high weight retention of the bonded cores, it may only be more recoil you get than any noticeable terminal performance over the 300gr version. But certainly it won't underperform in comparison either.

 

[Jorgen Bostrom]

@Jorgen Bostrom from Sweden has bought out North Fork and is moving production to his country. I think we're due for an update from Jorgen on where things stand as far as production being started up again.

We got all big machines but still waiting for software and some small machines. Hopefully they arrive next week. Corona Virus spreading and closing borders make transportation a little more challenging.

 

[AES]

Great info here. I am planning to shoot 300WM with 200gr H. Precision Hunter during my nest RSA PG safari. Switching to the Precision Hunter (my fav all around NA bullet) from the Swift High Grade Scirocco ii in 180 gr. Thoughts on that combo (I will also have a 416 with softs along for shooting at some of the larger PG, just to get some action under the gun's belt)?

 

[BeeMaa]

Great info here. I am planning to shoot 300WM with 200gr H. Precision Hunter during my nest RSA PG safari. Switching to the Precision Hunter (my fav all around NA bullet) from the Swift High Grade Scirocco ii in 180 gr. Thoughts on that combo (I will also have a 416 with softs along for shooting at some of the larger PG, just to get some action under the gun's belt)?

Dance with the one you came with.
If your rifle shoots the Swift Scirocco 2 into a ragged hole at 100 yards, use it.
If the 200 grain bullets give better results, stick with them.
I doubt any PG (save Eland) will notice the difference.
Don't be switching at the last minute.

And with proper shot placement, even Eland will drop.
Although I'd certainly recommend a little more punch than a .30 caliber.
The 416 sounds like good medicine to me.

 

[The Engineer]

I agree on construction and accuracy being the main criteria. While I handload I prefer factory ammunition for overseas hunting. When I got my 300 Win I tried several premium 180 and 200gr factory loads. I really like the 200gr TBBC and the Federal ammo was 1.0 or less for three shots at 100yd. Therefore, I settled on that loading and I have taken 20+ species of plains game from Clippies to Eland with no problems. I was going to take my 416 Rigby to Mozambique for Crocks but the PH said the 300 Win with 180gr Barns TSSXs would be fine. Broke the Crocks spine with the first shot and he did not even wiggle. The recovered TSSX lost almost no weight and was significant peened over. If the TBBC loading is deleted I will go to the TSSX.

 

[enysse]

I have used Copper Tips 180 grain and 190 grains bonded bullets for a long time. I would never use less than 180 grain bullets. There are a lot of great premium bullets available for the 30 caliber.

 

[Dr Ray]

I was thinking the same type of bullet. The ones I am playing with here are woodleigh.

Of course!

180 grain should be fine - Deep penetration plus holding together !

Personally I like a complete exit to produce a big blood trail.
Others undoubtedly will have different opinions.

 

[Major Khan]

The golden rule that every operator should follow is that heavier for calibre bullets are always better than lighter for calibre bullets , unless case capacity is getting overtly compromised. I will give 1 example . During our time ... it would have been unthinkable to ever use any bullet weight in your .30-06 Springfield calibre rifle that was lighter than 220 grains . I cannot help , but notice a trend in modern times. Hunters take shots at longer ranges than they originally used to ... in the 1960s and 1970s . These days , many operators prefer the 180 grain bullet over the 220 grain bullet ... because the 180 grain bullet is more accurate out to an extra 100 meters than the 220 grain bullet . I personally prefer the heavier weight bullets which have a slightly shorter range , but hit with more authority at that range .