boomer68
Handloader
- Oct 23, 2006
- 862
- 59
Why are they so expensive compared to Barnes solids?
Nosler solids
- Thread starter boomer68
- Start date
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,853
- 6,388
Interesting question. I checked on 300 gr .375" solids this morning. The Noslers are priced between the Barnes and the North Fork solids that I found while on-line.
These new solids tend to be very expensive bullets, no matter who is making them!
Then again, likely a very small percentage of the full cost of an African Safari for dangerous game. I hear elephant hunts are expensive!
Guy
These new solids tend to be very expensive bullets, no matter who is making them!
Then again, likely a very small percentage of the full cost of an African Safari for dangerous game. I hear elephant hunts are expensive!
Guy
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,563
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My guess is that the price is due to limited production, materials and machine set up time to make the Nosler Solids.
JD338
JD338
- Thread starter
- #4
boomer68
Handloader
- Oct 23, 2006
- 862
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So we just need to buy more :lol:
bullet
Handloader
- Dec 26, 2007
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Guy and JD338, have said it all :mrgreen:
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,420
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Personally if I am going on an African safari, the only realistic situation for these bullets, this is the last expense I would be thinking about.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,523
- 6,565
+1
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,563
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DrMike":2j96eh1w said:
Exactly! I have felt the same way even for deer hunting, that is why I have been using the PT for 25+ years. It all boils down to the bullet!
JD338
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,853
- 6,388
Interesting how the "solids" have evolved over time. Although I've never hunted there, ever since I was a kid I've thought about it, and have talked to a fair number of hunters who've taken big/dangerous game in Africa, and have read quite a bit on it.
I've got some old Hornady "solids" which are really just heavy full-metal jackets on a lead core, and some Winchester factory .375 H&H full-jacketed "solids" which are also just a heavy jacket enveloping a lead core. Both the Hornady and the Winchester have a traditional round-nose configuration.
These days the solids are often truly a solid piece of metal, and usually with a flat point. Hornady still makes a jacketed "solid" but it too has a flat point.
Things have changed over the years - and by and large bullets have become better. If an African dangerous game hunt was a realistic proposition for me today, I'd rely primarily on my 300 gr Nosler Partitions, and would look into some of the new, truly solid, flat-points. I'd try Nosler first, because of of the trust in their bullets built over a 30+ year period. If they worked well from my rifle, I'd be set with a couple of boxes of Nosler Partitions and a box of Nosler Solids. If for some reason the Noslers didn't work out from my rifle, I'd flip a coin and start trying other high-quality fmj dangerous game bullets.
Key would be working up a load that printed to the same point of impact at 50 or 100 yards as my soft points I'd think.
We've got a few experienced African big game hunters here on the forum, wonder what they'd have to say about all this?
Guy
I've got some old Hornady "solids" which are really just heavy full-metal jackets on a lead core, and some Winchester factory .375 H&H full-jacketed "solids" which are also just a heavy jacket enveloping a lead core. Both the Hornady and the Winchester have a traditional round-nose configuration.
These days the solids are often truly a solid piece of metal, and usually with a flat point. Hornady still makes a jacketed "solid" but it too has a flat point.
Things have changed over the years - and by and large bullets have become better. If an African dangerous game hunt was a realistic proposition for me today, I'd rely primarily on my 300 gr Nosler Partitions, and would look into some of the new, truly solid, flat-points. I'd try Nosler first, because of of the trust in their bullets built over a 30+ year period. If they worked well from my rifle, I'd be set with a couple of boxes of Nosler Partitions and a box of Nosler Solids. If for some reason the Noslers didn't work out from my rifle, I'd flip a coin and start trying other high-quality fmj dangerous game bullets.
Key would be working up a load that printed to the same point of impact at 50 or 100 yards as my soft points I'd think.
We've got a few experienced African big game hunters here on the forum, wonder what they'd have to say about all this?
Guy
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,420
- 3,419
...........and weirder looking all the time!
LOOK HERE
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=516232
LOOK HERE
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=516232
+1 on what POP said. You want the soft point ie. Partioion/A-Bond to be the first and or the second round and the soild to be the second or third round. As I was informed by the PH I hunted with, the soild was for the last ditich, Oh sh*t, here he comes and I better put him down shot now shot. But I thought about it since then and realized that if the PH has his big bore doulbe with him I wouldn't have a problem with him using it to help put the animal down. Just my 3 cents (times are hard) :mrgreen:
Russ
Russ
bullet
Handloader
- Dec 26, 2007
- 4,975
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russ808":2wwh7k4j said:
At that last moment when it is put up or be eaten up or stump down into the ground, the PH might not be at the right angle or position to help. When things are hot and heavy and happening very fast and real close you need to be able to stop the animal, because you might be in such a line from the approaching animal that if you don't kill him you both could be dead before it is all over with. Partition or A-frame followed by solid or you could be sorry and don't depend on someone else to save your life. He might and more than likely will but you can't count on it working out that way. Make sure you are ready and can deliver.
The new monolithic solids tend to be longer than older lead-based bullets. While the flatnose has been found to enhance straight line penetration the twist of the barrel is also important. Some rifles require careful rethinking on this issue.
for example, the CZ550 is a popularly priced rifle for the 416 Rigby. But it uses a traditional 16.5" twist. That is too slow for buffalo producing marginal terminal stability for longish 400 grain monometal solids. The solution is to use a 350 grain solid and keep the same momentum by sending the bullet faster down field. I am waiting for Nosler to come out with a 350 grain solid in 416, though I have used Barnes 350 grainers successfully on several African animals. With the 'new' 416 Ruger now out and making 416 an economical calibre for Alaska, we should see a growing demand for 300 and 350 grain 416s.
for example, the CZ550 is a popularly priced rifle for the 416 Rigby. But it uses a traditional 16.5" twist. That is too slow for buffalo producing marginal terminal stability for longish 400 grain monometal solids. The solution is to use a 350 grain solid and keep the same momentum by sending the bullet faster down field. I am waiting for Nosler to come out with a 350 grain solid in 416, though I have used Barnes 350 grainers successfully on several African animals. With the 'new' 416 Ruger now out and making 416 an economical calibre for Alaska, we should see a growing demand for 300 and 350 grain 416s.
