Anyone know of a source for 7mm solids? A friend and I want to load some for the 7x57, or .275 Rigby, as he insists on calling it!
Barnes Banded Solid Bullets feature rings cut into the shank to reduce pressures and allow higher velocities. These bullets have a wider meplat and are designed to penetrate large, dangerous game without deflection, even when striking heavy bone. Constructed of homogenous metal throughout, they do not have a lead core or jacket to separate on impact. The boat tail banded solid bullets are also recommended by Barnes for target shooting as well as taking fur-bearing animals, as their pelts are less likely to get damaged because the bullet is non-expanding. These bullets are coated with Barnes XLC solid dry film lubricant. This is not loaded ammunition.I should have been more specific. What we want is a true solid, ideally in the 175 gr range. Of the brands mentioned Woodleigh is the only solid, the rest are essentially copper expanding. That Woodleigh is a great bullet, and it may be the only option, I just hoped we could find something closer to the old school round nose, non expanding solids. I thought one of the African makers might have one, but Rhino doesn’t make their monolithic solid in calibers that small.
A one off custom job doesn't count. I mean... I could commission a .700 NE derringer but that doesn't mean that it is a production handgun. This is the reason Barnes no longer makes a .366 or a .375 banded solid but they are still allowed to make the .400+ caliber banded solids. They were told that they couldn't sell them in the US. I believe T/C used to made a contender in .376 steyr and they must've made a 9.3 at some point... perhaps the 9.3x74R but I've never seen one in 450/400.Hmm, cant think of any bulletdiameters below .500" not chambered in a Contender...
I believe T/C used to made a contender in .376 steyr and they must've made a 9.3 at some point... perhaps the 9.3x74R but I've never seen one in 450/400.
The only thing I might add if you go this route, is to find out what brass/bronze/copper the bullet manufacturers are using. They have gone through what is likely decades of R&D to perfect their alloy so that it is ductile but hard enough to refrain from deforming and leaves minimal fouling in the bore. IF you can use sketchup (which is free btw) you could potentially design your own solids and send the design to the manufacturer.Unlike jacked bullets, Monolithic solids are very simple machined parts that can be produced by any person or shop with turning equipment (metal lathe). Any machine shops with CNC turning capabilities can easily replicate any of the above designs with absolute accuracy and precision. I spent 15 years programming and operating cnc lathes. Monolithic bullets are simple stuff, their is no magic here, just dimensions and a material, no different than any other part. Don't get me wrong, the dimensions, angles and radiuses can be critical, but easy to measure with tools any machine shop will have.
Find something your firearm shoots well and have them made. Just like any other manufactured item, the cost is in the setup. 10 parts might cost the same as 50, or 100...Material for these small diameters will be negligible. Any "Red Metal" supplier can come up with a few feet of rod for machining cheaply.
Respect like your style ......Have done similar many times once with 303 solid bullets and with many other unavailable partsUnlike jacked bullets, Monolithic solids are very simple machined parts that can be produced by any person or shop with turning equipment (metal lathe). Any machine shops with CNC turning capabilities can easily replicate any of the above designs with absolute accuracy and precision. I spent 15 years programming and operating cnc lathes. Monolithic bullets are simple stuff, their is no magic here, just dimensions and a material, no different than any other part. Don't get me wrong, the dimensions, angles and radiuses can be critical, but easy to measure with tools any machine shop will have.
Find something your firearm shoots well and have them made. Just like any other manufactured item, the cost is in the setup. 10 parts might cost the same as 50, or 100...Material for these small diameters will be negligible. Any "Red Metal" supplier can come up with a few feet of rod for machining cheaply.
Probably not what you are looking for, but quite affordable. 174 gr FMJBTI should have been more specific. What we want is a true solid, ideally in the 175 gr range. Of the brands mentioned Woodleigh is the only solid, the rest are essentially copper expanding. That Woodleigh is a great bullet, and it may be the only option, I just hoped we could find something closer to the old school round nose, non expanding solids. I thought one of the African makers might have one, but Rhino doesn’t make their monolithic solid in calibers that small.