Hornady Flat Point Solid

[jwp475]

Anyone used these on Buffalo ? If so how did they perform?

 

[Hunt anything]

I used one on the second shot on a Buffalo, this was a 300 grain .375. It entered about 3 inches to the left of the tail and we recovered it in the bulls dewlap. It traversed about 8 feet of Buffalo which I thought was pretty good at 80 yards.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Supposedly better than the RN versions (less likely to deflect). That said, I've used the RN versions on Buff and Ele with no problemos. Should be fine as you're reloading! Some of the Hdy DG ammo has gotten a bad rap. Read Kevin Robertson's Africa's Most Dangerous.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

I have heard it reported that the new Hornady DGS and DGX is greatly improved over the original but I have no personal experience with it. If you're reloading make sure that you use the new version.

 

[baxterb]

That profile/meplat looks damn similar to the Barnes FN solids, which are some penetrating beasts.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Have to be careful to discern between factory loaded ammo and bullets you load yourself. The factory ammo may have issues. I've chronographed their "Superformance" and was upset for wasting $ on stuff that underperformed my handloads by <200 fps (Same for their powder of the same name). 'Nothing to do with the bullets. This could very well be why the Ammo got a bad rap (but even the owners admitted the product shortcomings if you search for it.) I've had much success reloading Hdy bullets, but on DG the best results w/ Swift softs and Barnes solids.

 

[Nhoro]

My brother uses the Hornady DGS by preference. 10 + elephant and even more buffalo. And as far as the chrono, a member here got 2180 fps from 458 win mag ammo. There is also another member who did extensive testing of flatness solids. The hornady dgs did quite well in those tests.

So other conservancy where my brother works, they have culled more than 50 elephant and even more buffalo and the issue ammo is hornady dgs. I am sure a whole bunch of people will be along shortly to tell you different but I would use it. Just handloading is cheaper for me.

 

[jwp475]

75 grains AA2230 behind 480 DGS lit by Federal 215 primer

 

[CAustin]

As well documented here on AH I used the 400 grain version of the DGS on my elephant hunt in 2015. Here is the recovered head shot bullet that killed the bull. He was dead before he hit the ground. Many said that the recovered bullet could have been used again. It was fired from my 416 Ruger Guide Gun aimed just in front the elephant’s right ear hole and recovered just behind the left ear under the skin.
so yes I would indeed use on buffalo. In fact I’m taking my 416 Ruger on buffalo hunt this summer as my back up rifle. Hornady DGS and DGX ammo to be used. Will be using my 470 NE With Hornady DGS or Federal Swift A Frames whichever the PH prefers.

 

[50Gunner]

Timely thread, and great info Gents, Thanks! i'll be working up a load in my double with the 480gr DGS, the DGX's came on board fine and shoot to beautiful regulation at 2142 fps, i expect no problems using both on buffalo and plan to put them to work in the Mbarangandu 2024.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Have to be careful to discern between factory loaded ammo and bullets you load yourself. The factory ammo may have issues. I've chronographed their "Superformance" and was upset for wasting $ on stuff that underperformed my handloads by <200 fps (Same for their powder of the same name). 'Nothing to do with the bullets. This could very well be why the Ammo got a bad rap (but even the owners admitted the product shortcomings if you search for it.) I've had much success reloading Hdy bullets, but on DG the best results w/ Swift softs and Barnes solids.

@C.W. Richter
Hornady superformance powder we buy IS NOT the same powder that is loaded in their superformance ammo.
The powder in my experience is slower than H4831SC and Re22. Even with a case full in the 458 you would be lucky to equal a 45-70.
Used in the right cartridges it does give a boost of up to 250fps and that is from practical experience not Pie in the sky.
Bob

 

[C.W. Richter]

@C.W. Richter
Hornady superformance powder we buy IS NOT the same powder that is loaded in their superformance ammo.
The powder in my experience is slower than H4831SC and Re22. Even with a case full in the 458 you would be lucky to equal a 45-70.
Used in the right cartridges it does give a boost of up to 250fps and that is from practical experience not Pie in the sky.
Bob

It was several hundred feet per second slower in the 22-250 with a 26 inch barrel what they said on the label was complete BS

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

It was several hundred feet per second slower in the 22-250 with a 26 inch barrel what they said on the label was complete BS

@C.W. Richter
They got it wrong in a few cases.
I would never use H4831SC or Re22 in a 22/250 so I would use superformance either.
I don't know why Hornady lists it for use with lighter bullets in the 243, 25-06 and 30-06.
My experience with it is it really shines with heavier bullets.
If you use H4831SC in your reloads you should be able to work up to the same charge with superformance.
USUAL CAVEATS APPLY START LOWER AND WORK UP.
With the 100gn TTSX in the 25 I get 220 fps more than the same charge of H4831SC and 130fps more with the 115s and the 117grain SST at what appears to be less pressure. Case head expansion is less and Primers are still round.
Is it worth it. To me hell yes.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

It was several hundred feet per second slower in the 22-250 with a 26 inch barrel what they said on the label was complete BS

@C.W.RICHTER
The 22-250 really loves adi 2208/ Varget.
It's a pity no one makes a fast twist say 1 in 7 or 8 barrel for it. That would really make it shine eith the heavier 77 grain plus bullets.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

View attachment 464165View attachment 464166View attachment 464166As well documented here on AH I used the 400 grain version of the DGS on my elephant hunt in 2015. Here is the recovered head shot bullet that killed the bull. He was dead before he hit the ground. Many said that the recovered bullet could have been used again. It was fired from my 416 Ruger Guide Gun aimed just in front the elephant’s right ear hole and recovered just behind the left ear under the skin.
so yes I would indeed use on buffalo. In fact I’m taking my 416 Ruger on buffalo hunt this summer as my back up rifle. Hornady DGS and DGX ammo to be used. Will be using my 470 NE With Hornady DGS or Federal Swift A Frames whichever the PH prefers.

@CAustin
With performance like that you wouldn't need the 470.
The 470 just has the cool factor.
Bob

 

[C.W. Richter]

@C.W.RICHTER
The 22-250 really loves adi 2208/ Varget.
It's a pity no one makes a fast twist say 1 in 7 or 8 barrel for it. That would really make it shine eith the heavier 77 grain plus bullets.
Bob

they do, but of course it's an aftermarket bbl! I load 60s with that lovely .299 bc (as it's the best that'll fly out of a factory bbl.) they don't "horror flick" the varmints, but they do hit where you're aiming and make quick, clean kills! i'd shoot snakes, mice and toads w/ it down under at 750 yds.

 

[CAustin]

@CAustin
With performance like that you wouldn't need the 470.
The 470 just has the cool factor.
Bob

Very true

 

[jwp475]

76gr of AA2230 gave an average velocity of 2232 FLS