Hi James,
Please contact Gina at gina.s(at)wol.co.za so that we can sort this out for you.
MontanaRifleman,
The HP range is a complete redesign from the ones we were making two years ago. We shut down the HP operation, did the redesign and started it up again. HV and HP bullets now have the same terminal performance of expanding from 1300fps to completely expanded at 1600fps, 100% retention up tp 2500fps and with better than 75% retention, regardless of impact speed up to 3500fps. The HP range is a smooth shank, round boat tail, extremely accurately made standard appearance bullet. HPs are hunting bullets intended for average hunting distances.
The HV range have the drive bands and offer lower pressure/more speed over the HP range. Barrel life is significantly extended and there are several other advantages of the low friction that one gets from HV bullets. HVs are hunting bullets with a wider application of distance than the HP range. In the last two years we have made available some HVs that are designed to be used at further than average hunting distances.
The SP range are non expanding bullets made specifically for distance work and for competition shooting. The range include specific bullets for specific distances and twist rates. Being non expanding ogived bullets, all will tumble on impact if used for hunting. Depending on the choice of bullet, tumbling could be a 180 degree turn and then penetrating base forwards, or more than one rotation. As a tactical bullet the SP range is good.
Modifying an SP to expand brings us back to an HV designed for distance work (177gr HV as opposed to the 173gr HV in .308" or the 116gr HV / 120gr HV in .284")
RockyMntMT,
The entire HV range is upgraded to a better design BC and especially for better accuracy and gas control. We did this in such a manner that existing load data would not become obsolete. In most cases the new bullet can be used without changing charge weight or col. At hunting distances to 400m or so, there is little difference that the average hunter will notice. In some instances the changes we made will require an adjustment of col over the old length but that is all. Charge weights are not affected.
To answer your question specifically, the old 173gr will perform well out to 400/500m and it is an excellent hunting bullet in the correct twist rate. The new 173gr bullet differs only in having better BC, a little more speed and further improved accuracy but we are talking about a couple of inches at 400m.
The bottom line is that we have made significant improvements to our range of bullets for the first time in 9 years. We feel that we never lost the advantage that we brought to the market in 1997 and have further extended the technical lead we have, with the redesign of the HP range and the extension of the SP range.
Thanks for the opportunity to reply. If I can help in any way, just let me know.