375 H&H - Which would you choose for Buff?

**zakiwi** · 20-10-2013, 10:18

Hi guys,

I decided on the Woodleigh 300gr Protected Point for Buff (and other similar beasts) about a month or two ago and am now complete with the first phase of my load development in this regard.

Firstly, let me say that this is not a bench rest rifle, and the Woodleigh is not a bench rest bullet ...

Secondly, let me say that anything under 2" at a hundred is fine, in my view, given the target game that I intend to use this bullet on and the expected shooting distance ...

Thirdly, let me say that I have other, more accurate, loads for general game with this rifle. This load is purely for the big stuff.

I have 2 groups that interest me in this respect ...

Group A is 1.2 inches at 100m @ 2520fps
Group B is 1.4 inches at 100m @ 2660fps

I'd be interested in your very views on this ....

Which would you choose, and why?

**Maroelas** · 20-10-2013, 10:24

That's only a 5mm difference.

I don't know the Woodleigh bullet. Is it a bonded core bullet that will hold together at the higher velocity?

What do you plan for follow up shots? I hope solids!

**CorditeCrazy** · 20-10-2013, 10:33

Have you considered Barnes?

**zakiwi** · 20-10-2013, 10:36

Originally Posted by rboshoff

That's only a 5mm difference.

I don't know the Woodleigh bullet. Is it a bonded core bullet that will hold together at the higher velocity?

What do you plan for follow up shots? I hope solids!

I plan on NO follow up shots, but yes, I'm preparing with solids ...

Yes, it's a very strong bonded bullet and has an impact velocity rating of 1900-2600 fps ...

Group B slows down to 2600 fps within 30 yards from the muzzle ...

The accuracy isn't really the thing.

The dilemma in my view is that Group A will probably penetrate better (due to it's reduced velocity), but Group B delivers over 500 ft-lbs of extra energy ... And thats the conundrum ...

**zakiwi** · 20-10-2013, 10:37

Originally Posted by CorditeCrazy

Have you considered Barnes?

Yes I have.

**CorditeCrazy** · 20-10-2013, 10:43

Originally Posted by zakiwi

Yes I have.

Ok, I have no experiance with Woodleigh, what made you pick them?

**zakiwi** · 20-10-2013, 10:54

Originally Posted by CorditeCrazy

Ok, I have no experiance with Woodleigh, what made you pick them?

My view is that there are probably 5 bullets that will reliably do the job ... Woodleigh is one of them, and I've enjoyed using them in other calibers in years gone by ... They have a massive track record with big game .... If I could get the Swift A-Frame, I would probably have gone with that at the outset, but they are unavailable in my part of the world ... I'm a massive partition fan, but I think it's lack of bonding excludes it as a first choice for this application ... I don't really like Barnes (although I have used them in my 458 & my 308) ... I don't like the Accubond for this application either .... Although I will use if for general game as it's super accurate in my rifle ... I wish we could get Trophy bonded bear claws and sledgehammers, but it seems they are gone from the component market too...

**GameFarmer** · 20-10-2013, 10:57

@ Cordite

Search Woodleigh. http://www.woodleighbullets.com.au/

In my opinion certainly one of the best bullets available.

Like with any brand you will get plenty of negative feedback, but in all my years of reloading (20 plus) I never had issues with Woodleigh. Excellent weight retention.

http://www.kynochammunition.co.uk/ca...ollection.html

http://www.kynochusa.com/ Kynoch ammunition is now standardized on Woodleigh
Weldcore Soft-nose and Solid bullets. Woodleigh bullets are recognized world wide as the
most reliable big game bullets currently manufactured.

AFAIK they have been supplying Kynoch Big Game Cartridges for many years.

Originally Posted by zakiwi

The dilemma in my view is that Group A will probably penetrate better (due to it's reduced velocity), but Group B delivers over 500 ft-lbs of extra energy ... And thats the conundrum ...

I'll go for the slower bullet. With Buffalo you want plenty of penetration on your first shot. Chances very likely that most of the shots will be fairly close.

Woodleighs mushroom quite nicely which also means that the softs rarely exit. Comforting if you are shooting in a herd.

**Maroelas** · 20-10-2013, 11:01

That is why I asked if it is a bonded bullet. Penetration is all about weight retention at velocity.

So the bullet should hold together fine. What happens to the groups if you up the Group A velocity to arounds 2570fps?

**zakiwi** · 20-10-2013, 11:04

Originally Posted by rboshoff

That is why I asked if it is a bonded bullet. Penetration is all about weight retention at velocity.

So the bullet should hold together fine. What happens to the groups if you up the Group A velocity to arounds 2570fps?

Unfortunately they open up ... I tested them in 0.5gr increments from 2450 to 2660 ... The 2 accurate nodes were those mentioned ...