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Flat Point Solid Bullet in .500"
From the GSC website: the 540gr bullet from a .500 NE on the left was recovered from the ground after an elephant was given a security head shot. Compare it to an unfired similar type.
According to GSC the design drivers for a solid dangerous game bullet are the following (I agree): 1. Not break up or shed weight, so that maximum momentum is retained. 2. Be tough enough not to bend in the shaft, as this will cause deflection from the bullet path. 3. Present a vertical face to the direction of penetration. It is the most efficient shape for disruption of tissue. 4. Have a centre of mass that is forwards of the centre line so that it will remain heavy side forwards. 5. Be as short and stubby as possible to minimise the tendency to tumble in tissue. 6. Have as much velocity as possible for elevated shoulder stabilisation, cavitation, momentum and impulse levels.
[comment: The very reason for the historical failure of the .458 Win Mag in Africa].
7. Be as kind to the bore of your expensive double or custom bolt action as possible.
For the non-dangerous game hunter GSC manufactures the following types of bullets:
Hollow Point:
Recovered from game, retaining 95% weight.
In my opinion this is beneficial to the American hunter using a high velocity magnum rifle and still believing in a heart shot through the shoulder without the stomach turning meat damage caused by lesser designs. A clever bullet to bring to Africa where your PH will invariably insist on a low shoulder heart shot. In my opinion this at least equals the Barnes X series with the added advantage of not shedding the petals above 2,600 ft/sec impact velocity.
The new standard: The HV range, utilising narrow drive bands. GRC claims that these bullets shoot consistent groups no matter the velocity:
I believe this is the bullet that the Barnes TSX series needs to emulate: consistent petal development from 1,800 ft/sec to 3,000 ft/sec impact velocity.
Blesbok entrance wound: impact velocity 4,400 ft/sec from a 5.56x64. Orders of magnitude less meat damage than a .243 W.
The Very Low Drag Range. Designed for the tactical sniper, target shooter and the South African professional game culler:
Next post will be some questions I had for GSC on these bullets and their answers.
Until then.
That is subsonic aerodynamics. Once the velocity is over Mach 1.2 there is a change how drag manifests, and then again beyond the critical drag rise Mach number (Mach cdr). Mach 1.8 is a turning point again and we are in the Mach 2.0 regime here.