Remington Core Lokt?

[Firebird]

Since I just recently finished reading a classic Jack O’Connor book I will summarize him on this issue-it took me a minute to find it tucked into the chapter on the .30-06. He writes that the -06 with 180 gr. cl roundnose has never gone to pieces nor has he seen one fail to expand. He claims he and his wife killed lions, tigers, zebras.deer, bear, sheep, grizzly, caribou and “what not.”
He did not have many of the powders we have nor the bullet selection-and yet way back when the cl was already the deadliest mushroom bla bla bla.
I don’t currently use them but would not hesitate to do so. I think when I started hand loading and that bullet and load information were hard to find so I started using other components.
I am confident that Remington upgraded the cl some years ago as well. . .

 

[Firebird]

Tipped and ultra bonded-have not shot them yet

 

[CoElkHunter]

I would like to read a hunting report here from one of you guys that hunt cape buffalo all the time when using a 270gr. Remington Core Lokt .375. I'm sure somebody has used it before the more premium bullets became available? I'm sure the report would include a lot of running and the climbing of trees. LOL

 

[Hunter-Habib]

The 180Gr & 220Gr Remington Core Lokt soft points in .30-06 Springfield has been my preferred plains game factory load, ever since my first African Safari in 1974 ( at the time, they were considered by us to be a “Premium” bullet). The 220Gr variant in particular, accounted for quite a few big bull elands , wildebeest and Kudus over the years. I’ve used the 180 Gr variant against all of my other plains game (like sable and waterbuck).

Not the most modern design, but they work well. Today, you have far better options, which utilize bonded bullets or even monolithic bullets. The 220 Gr Remington Core Lokt is still my favorite eland and kudu medicine, though.

 

[Traveler1]

I would like to read a hunting report here from one of you guys that hunt cape buffalo all the time when using a 270gr. Remington Core Lokt .375. I'm sure somebody has used it before the more premium bullets became available? I'm sure the report would include a lot of running and the climbing of trees. LOL

CoElkhunter- In the 80's I used 270gr RCL in my 375, but I don't recall using any on Cape. I pretty much switched to Winchester silvertip by 1985. I think the PHs preferred the silvertip, also I like having different color boxes for different calibers, as the Remington green was for the 7mm. Also it depended on the PH, if I was to use a solid or soft. I know for my first buff was a silvertip for sure and maybe the fourth, but time erases the little things. So I would like to right a report, but cannot confirm which and if any where shot with a RCL. In 1989, when I switch to the SSK Handcannon in 375 JDJ, all my soft points were 270 or 275gr pointed soft points, I don't know the bullet manufacture as they came straight from JD's factor. They worked great on buff on several continents. Lastly as Hunter-Habib stated back in the day there was not as many choices.
BTW: Not one report would be include running or climbing on Cape. On Water Buff if might including chasing as they are tough M...F.... when you have been following them half the day.

 

[CoElkHunter]

CoElkhunter- In the 80's I used 270gr RCL in my 375, but I don't recall using any on Cape. I pretty much switched to Winchester silvertip by 1985. I think the PHs preferred the silvertip, also I like having different color boxes for different calibers, as the Remington green was for the 7mm. Also it depended on the PH, if I was to use a solid or soft. I know for my first buff was a silvertip for sure and maybe the fourth, but time erases the little things. So I would like to right a report, but cannot confirm which and if any where shot with a RCL. In 1989, when I switch to the SSK Handcannon in 375 JDJ, all my soft points were 270 or 275gr pointed soft points, I don't know the bullet manufacture as they came straight from JD's factor. They worked great on buff on several continents. Lastly as Hunter-Habib stated back in the day there was not as many choices.
BTW: Not one report would be include running or climbing on Cape. On Water Buff if might including chasing as they are tough M...F.... when you have been following them half the day.

Well, that’s a starting point. Your personal account of taking at least one Cape Buffalo with a Winchester Silvertip. Now, we need personal accounts of those African buffalo hunters from the ‘60s forward that used Core Lokts, Winchester Power Points and maybe Federal Power Shocks or even Nosler Partitions? We’ll see how much running and climbing is included in their hunt reports? LOL

 

[C.W. Richter]

'My son used the 270s to drop a 42" buff (between the eyes-bridge of nose shot; if he had been presented w/ a body shot, he was advised to use his Federal FMJs-college kid on a budget at the time!), bagged countless deer and a couple black bear w/ em. They are fine (and I think given positive mention by Kevin Robertson in his books.) They shot well in my childhood 30-30, but didn't group well in my teen 300 WM (so I got away from 'em, got into handloading and found even better bullets for the jobs at hand, including many specialty wildcats, some of which are now SAAMI-approved/standardized, or at least mentioned in reloading manuals!) In my son's 7 SAUM (160 gr) and 375 HH (270 gr) they shoot and perform well. Same issue as me in the 300 Win Mag. I think the primary reason I selected other bullets for handloading, is that better, longer range options exist. Many of the fields I hunt are 1,000+ yds long (not shooting at 1,000 in the rain/snow/wind but <450 is common), some long shots down in TX too, so there's better medicine for that. I'd guess that Rem factory ammo has prob taken more deer/bear where i live than any other (in the woods at typical ranges.) The silver box featuring the red X likely comes in close! ($7/box once upon a time for both!) Two of our older-timers still use same in .35 Rem (Lever & Pump; both with open sights and shots <150 yds in the woods.) For typical African game and ranges, I'd say they'll perform just fine! Robertson would be a big fan of pointing out that the RN bullets typically impart more damage (create a larger wound channel.)

 

[C.W. Richter]

*older defined as being 5-25 yrs older than I. LOL

 

[Traveler1]

Well, that’s a starting point. Your personal account of taking at least one Cape Buffalo with a Winchester Silvertip. Now, we need personal accounts of those African buffalo hunters from the ‘60s forward that used Core Lokts, Winchester Power Points and maybe Federal Power Shocks or even Nosler Partitions? We’ll see how much running and climbing is included in their hunt reports? LOL

I might even have the bullet from first buff. I know I do from first my first lion, both being silvertips. When I found it I will post the pic. I believe I several recovered silvertips might even have a RCL in the group. I also have bunch of solids. However the best one is a bushmade shotgun slug recovered from a dwarf forest buffalo's kneck. Obviously not from gun, as I prefer not to climb after I shoot.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I might even have the bullet from first buff. I know I do from first my first lion, both being silvertips. When I found it I will post the pic. I believe I several recovered silvertips might even have a RCL in the group. I also have bunch of solids. However the best one is a bushmade shotgun slug recovered from a dwarf forest buffalo's kneck. Obviously not from gun, as I prefer not to climb after I shoot.

"a dwarf forest buffalo"? Couldn't you have found something bigger to shoot? LOL. That would be like Townsend @Bob Nelson 35Whelen shooting a dwarf prairie kangaroo with his .25 Souper? Ha! Ha! Ha!

 

[CBeck]

I for one would be glad to luck up on a few hundred CL .284 round nose.

 

[Woodcarver]

Fortunately, I had purchased bulk boxes of 1000 in .270 130gr and .308 180gr CL before they became unobtainable. Couldn't say how many antelope, deer, and elk I've taken with Rem CLs. Not to mention quite a few coyotes and 1 snowshoe hare. They have proven to be both accurate and effective in 270Win, 270WSM, 30-06, 300WM, and 300WSM. Hopefully I don't run out before Remington starts selling them again. When they become available again, I would like to try them in the 375 for sure.
Unfortunately, the next boxes will undoubtedly cost more than the current; 270 130gr were $77.95/1k and the 308 180gr were $88.95/1k. Midway used to have good sales on these bulk packs!

 

[Traveler1]

I still have several CKL 175gr 7mm that have the $14.99 price tag on them. Also have some 25/06 and 270 with the same price tag.

 

[C.W. Richter]

I'd love to get my hands on more A-Sq triads in .338 (have a bunch of the dead tough softs, SPs but no lion loads.) Those were what the Dr. (Col.?) Art Alphin ordered for us!

 

[Traveler1]

"a dwarf forest buffalo"? Couldn't you have found something bigger to shoot? LOL. That would be like Townsend @Bob Nelson 35Whelen shooting a dwarf prairie kangaroo with his .25 Souper? Ha! Ha! Ha!

Here is the infamous dwarf forest buffalo. This was 30 yrs ago this coming July and was my first sole trip to Africa without my old man. That was the summer that the Congo opened back to hunting after beening closed for like 30 or 40 years. We are the actual first hunters in.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Here is the infamous dwarf forest buffalo. This was 30 yrs ago this coming July and was my first sole trip to Africa without my old man. That was the summer that the Congo opened back to hunting after beening closed for like 30 or 40 years. We are the actual first hunters in. View attachment 452156

That’s awesome and a great photo!

 

[Traveler1]

Well, that’s a starting point. Your personal account of taking at least one Cape Buffalo with a Winchester Silvertip. Now, we need personal accounts of those African buffalo hunters from the ‘60s forward that used Core Lokts, Winchester Power Points and maybe Federal Power Shocks or even Nosler Partitions? We’ll see how much running and climbing is included in their hunt reports? LOL

@CoElkHunter. Here you go, I found one 175 gr 7mm Core Lokt as most were pass through(s). The rest of the recovered rounds are old school pre fancy bullets, plus a few throw ins.

Left to right: 404 Jeffery- 450 gr Norma recovered from Elephant about 1986; 300gr 375 HH Win (Elephant 1987); 300gr Win Silvertip (Lion 1985, was stuck under the skin on the left shoulder, round went through both shoulders, you could visibly see the bullet pushing out the skin but it did not break it) Next two 300gr Silvertip(s) ( Eland and Cape Buff early 90s) part of 300gr Silvertip (Cape Buff ?) 175gr Core Lokt 7mm (Kudo 93) In the Nickle 38 wadcutter and lastly a 2 ounce bush made slug recovered from a healed wound in the neck of my Dwarf Forest Buffalo (92).

I am old school and will stick with Core Lokt for the 7mm when I head back in two years or so and Silvertip for the 375 HH that unless I take my handcannon in 375 JDJ, then I use the new fancy bullets.

 

[RayAtkinson]

I used them for years both in the US and Africa, they are an excellent bullet, been field proven for ions..the best of the cup and cores, and now they have the soldered core to jacket, makes them even better I suppose as thats the latest thing in bullet tech..Are they as good as the Nosler Accubond or Partition is pretty darn close. I would not hesitate to use them on most plainsgame and any soft skin Dangerous game and have and based on about 50 plus years of being in the hunting business and being a hunter for at least 70 plus years.. That said todays bullets are all ecellent and further conversation is nothing more than balistict masterbation!

 

[CoElkHunter]

I used them for years both in the US and Africa, they are an excellent bullet, been field proven for ions..the best of the cup and cores, and now they have the soldered core to jacket, makes them even better I suppose as thats the latest thing in bullet tech..Are they as good as the Nosler Accubond or Partition is pretty darn close. I would not hesitate to use them on most plainsgame and any soft skin Dangerous game and have and based on about 50 plus years of being in the hunting business and being a hunter for at least 70 plus years.. That said todays bullets are all ecellent and further conversation is nothing more than balistict masterbation!

"ballistic masterbation"? Ha! Ha! I love that use of verbage! I will use that under "BM" in future posts here when members are arguing about load data. Thanks Ray!

 

[Nevada Mike]

I have a couple of boxes of 7mm CoreLokt Ultra (bonded) bullets. Tried them in my 7mm RM and found them less accurate that my 140 Accubonds with the same load... 67.5 grns of RL22.

I am going to try them in my 7X57 M70 when I get it back from Aaron Little.