swift/northfork

[bruce moulds]

both these bullet designs are good, and neither is better in my opinion.
i have only used swift due to availability, and am most happy with them so far.
however for different applications, one might be better than the other.
the thing that comes to mind is, how big relatively are the fronyal areas of max expansion.
sometimes a bigger frontal area is better, and sometimes a smaller frontal area is better say for slightly deeper penetration.
can anyone comment on this subject?
bruce.

 

[Luvthunt]

My expierence is—of equal weight the expansion is about the same ie if it even can be compared based on different animals. Close enough for me to say I would use either. However NF does produce heavy for caliber bullets that do expand greater dia. Swift, at this time does not produce hvy for caliber bullets.
I have used more Swifts then NF and more trophy bonded then NF. Unless I wanted a hvy for caliber bullet I would use any of the three. You did not ask but I have used more Nosler Part then the rest, and for PG and cats will continue if I ever return.

 

[crs]

As Luvthunt sez, a .458 Nosler PP is good for cats and PG.

For shooting through thick skin and bone, I prefer Punch and NF.
Punch also puts a daylight hole through 5/8 inch steel plate, so watch what is behind any target animal.

 

[Graham Hunter]

Hmmm Armor piercing or Grenade. Only 2 options.

 

[bruce moulds]

the original question is only about expanded frontal area of the 2 bullets mentioned.
pictures look the me to suggest northfork have a slightly larger frontal area on average.
northfork are like the original trophy bonded bearclaw, but with the advantage of no plastic point.
bruce.

 

[Proneshooter]

Used Nosler Accubonds in Zimbabwe and was not impressed with them, that said we did recover everything we shot with no troubles. Took North Fork's on our last trip and was very happy. Furthest any animal went was 30 yards, 5 of the 6 taken were dropped where they stood. Used a 30-06 in Zim. and a 7x57 on the second trip.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

both these bullet designs are good, and neither is better in my opinion.
i have only used swift due to availability, and am most happy with them so far.
however for different applications, one might be better than the other.
the thing that comes to mind is, how big relatively are the fronyal areas of max expansion.
sometimes a bigger frontal area is better, and sometimes a smaller frontal area is better say for slightly deeper penetration.
can anyone comment on this subject?
bruce.

Bruce,

My favorite bullet is the NF. Availability from them in various calibers has not been an issue for me. I've not hunted with the A-Frame, but I would expect the mushrooms in like calibers to be pretty close to the same.

I agree with you on a larger frontal area and penetration. Resistance to travel will be more which in turn limits penetration. But I do believe this is made up for by the weight retention. If there's anything that I do believe the larger frontal area will impede is exiting the animal. Consistently what I've found with the NF's is if the bullet goes through a thick portion of the animal it will not exit the animal but be found just under the skin on the offside. I believe however that is balanced out by that much larger of a wound channel.

I would give the edge in design to NF over the A-Frame. I have consistently found that the NF's require less powder to achieve the same velocity as the A-Frames. I attribute this to the driving band design of the NF's that results in less friction in the barrel.

Also with the NFs having only lead up front, you don't get that bulge you see often with the A-Frames. Instead you see a mushroom with a longer stem if you will. That remaining "stem" I think, and I emphasize think, results in a bit of a rudder that helps the bullet not tumble.

I have in my own experience also found the NF's to be easier to develop loads for than the A-Frames. Others may not.

Do any of these advantages result in any measurable improved terminal performance? I don't think I can make that case. If North Fork were to go out of business and I would have to turn to using A-Frames, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. I think they're a great performing bullet too.

 

[Milehighshooter]

Ive not used either, but have been buying NF just due to the fact the offer a great range of weights and calibers in the +40 range. Especially for my 2 current and 1 future projects (400 Whelen, 400 H&H, 10.75x68). It's encouraging to see they're well spoken of

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Ive not used either, but have been buying NF just due to the fact the offer a great range of weights and calibers in the +40 range. Especially for my 2 current and 1 future projects (400 Whelen, 400 H&H, 10.75x68). It's encouraging to see they're well spoken of

Have loaded them for 7x57, .308W, .30-06, .300WM and .375HH. No DG yet. All PG, but the performance has been great. A frontal quartering to shot on a zebra from my son's 7x57 using a 140gr bullet was quite impressive. As was the 165gr .308W my son used for his eland.

 

[Milehighshooter]

Have loaded them for 7x57, .308W, .30-06, .300WM and .375HH. No DG yet. All PG, but the performance has been great. A frontal quartering to shot on a zebra from my son's 7x57 using a 140gr bullet was quite impressive. As was the 165gr .308W my son used for his eland.

Im interested in that 7x57 140gr load

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Im interested in that 7x57 140gr load

Norma brass (North Forks really need good brass), CCI BR-2 primers, IMR 4350 : 48.7gr (start about 45 and work up), COAL set to 3.065"

 

[Milehighshooter]

Norma brass (North Forks really need good brass), CCI BR-2 primers, IMR 4350 : 48.7gr (start about 45 and work up), COAL set to 3.065"

Thanks! My rifle was chambered as a 275 Rigby Hi-Vel, so its throated specifically for 140 gr bullets. Ive got all that except the Norma brass.

 

[bruce moulds]

so it would appear that swift and northfork are much of a muchness in frontal area and otherwise reliable.
in my own case, swift are more available.
another factor for me is that swift are shorter for the same weight, possibly offering greater stability.
plus the shorter bullet allows more powder capacity for the same magazine length, offering a little flatter trajectory and higher energy.
bruce.

 

[Graham Hunter]

I find it very interesting how many threads are started on this forum over various bullet makers. There has been a lot of animals killed with Remington Core Lock and Winchester power points. And yes I am a premium bullet user. But I think a lot of us forget the main ingredient to a clean kill. BULLET PLACEMENT!!! I would rather place a less than Premium bullet in the right place. Majority of the time you will have a dead animal. But the best bullet made on a poorly placed shot will provide very poor results. Practice, practice,practice and then some more practice will provide a very fulfilling hunting experience.