Henson/ Wildcat AL tipped bullets 338 cal. Whos used them ? Reports ?

[Down Under Hunter]

Looking at the Henson/ Wildcat bullets in 338 cal as an option to the SMK 300. Whos used them and how did you find them. Need to stabilise in a 1-10 twist. Tried Wildcat bullets when Richard had it and the 265 would not shoot in my barrel at all. Twist may have been too slow in the HART barrel.

Any reports good or bad please ?

I'll take a great bullet for me to look elsewhere from the sierra.

Thanks

DUH

 

[royinidaho]

DUH,

I have experience with the initial version but understand that the next generation of HATS are quite different.

Be sure you get reports on the newer version.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I'll take a great bullet for me to look elsewhere from the sierra.

DUH,

Does this bullet look interesting to you?

An open query...

This thread has generated an important question for me. As a designer who is somewhat unclear about your needs as long range hunters, I need feedback.

Assume the following projectile performance parameters;

- 338 caliber sub-minute accuracy at 1,000+ yards
- Reliably controlled expansion to 2.5 calibers
- Ninety percent+ weight retention, with minimal fragmentation

Is it necessary, within these constraints, to still generate a >7"x 8" diameter lead cloud within soft tissue to achieve a "humane kill"?

The reason I ask, is that it is easy to construct a solid bullet that will explode like a grenade when it passes through bone, and to achieve this with material which is entirely non-toxic. My working assumption, and one that presents the greatest engineering challenge, has been more along the lines of what Barnes has pursued (minus the marginal accuracy, and poor long range performance).

Are you collectively accepting the complete fragmentation properties, of the Berger-type projectile as a desirable, or an unavoidable, consequence of high accuracy (or both)?

Best,
Noel

EDIT: The actual approx BC of the ZA.338/6.0 (265 gr) is about the same as the 300 Scenar and 300 SMK (see Snipershide thread)

Aragorn50-Noel has developed a hunting version of the ZA.338/6.0 bullet, with a polymer tip. Snipers Hide member Rockz provided the test by firing the bullet into wet newspaper @ 500 yards, MV 2990 fps.

L to R: ZA338/6.0 Hunting(257 gr), Recovered(197gr), ZA338/6.0 Match(274 gr), 300gr Lapua Scenar

Top: Unfired Bottom: Fired recovered projectile

Expanded projectile frontal view.

Expanded projectile lateral view.

The following is a link to the discussion on the Snipers Hide Forum:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubb...76#Post1212176

 

[MontanaRifleman]

With increased velocity and a 1400 fps expanding velocity, the ZA.338/6.0 may be a 1500 yd Sambar killer.

 

[Down Under Hunter]

DUH,

Does this bullet look interesting to you?

Very interesting my friend !!

I guess I am after feedback on any alternative to the SMK that is beneficial enough to make the change. 1/ Noticably better bc ?, Reliable supplier with excellent QC and lots of good accurate info regarding R and D on performance at range.

I really dont want much do I ?

I'll read it with interest.

As far as the Henson bullets are concerned I have been lost in the complicated language and cant find any simple language on them.. But I'm still looking at them too.

Many thanks MT

Cheers

DUH

 

[MontanaRifleman]

You are most welcome... hope you find the magic bullet.

 

[Down Under Hunter]

You are most welcome... hope you find the magic bullet.

Just sent Noel a PM over at the hide about the hunting version. I suspect they wont work in 1-10 but we will find out soon enough. The BC looks a little low to justify cheating on the SMK behind it's back.

The new bullet would new to offer significantly more benefits to warrant the heartache of testing etc.

It looks awfully slick though !

We may end up back where we started but if you dont ask you never know !

Do you know anyone with experience with this bullet as there are always PROTO bullets around that never seem to stand up and disappear as fast as they arrived.

Cheers mate !

DUH

 

[MontanaRifleman]

DUH,

I was just thinking about the BC thing. I made my earlier statement of like BC's based on a comment from snipershide. However, that comment was based on the fact the drops with the ZA bullet and the Scenar are almost identical. But... the ZA bullet has a higher velocity which would translate into a lower BC to come up with the same drops. In anycase, there is no "official" BC. Bryan Litz from Berger will be/is testing them.

I think Noel may have some testers for the hunting bullet, but they will have signed non-disclosure agreements. They were tested in a 9.5 twist and based on some recent tests of another ZA bullet, they may work in the 10 twist. I believe Noel thinks these bullets may be available in 2 or 3 months.

If these dont provide enough benefit for you, then once you burn your barrel out, you could get a tighter twist on the next one and step up to the heavier 300 gr ZA which may have a BC of near or around 1. Kinda makes you wana go out and do a lot of target shooting

Cheers mate,

-MR