Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 240 gr hunting bullet designed especially for the 30-06!

The point is well made that many people out there beyond the borders of the USA cannot own one rifle for every little nit-picky purpose.

The 240 Woodleigh may or may not penetrate any deeper than some .30 bullets we already have. Woodleighs are designed to open up WIDE, and hence chop a bigger wound channel. So these may not shoot endwise through a moose.

What they will probaby do, however, is whop something big really hard. This is what many African bushveld hunters really like, as well as some black-timber elk hunters over here.

I was given a couple of boxes of these by Geoff while I was visiting the Woodleigh booth at SHOT, and intend to shoot them into some test media ASAP, right next to some 220 Nosler Partitions and 180 Barnes Triple Shocks.

MD

Well, it depends upon the intended range, I guess. As I stated above, "IMHO, the perfect use for this bullet would be for hunting plains game in the southern African bushveld where shots are usually relatively close (say 50 to 150 yards). If I was going to shoot an Eland with the .30-06 then this is the bullet I would use."

According to Woodleigh, it's possible to load this bullet to around 2300-2350 in the .30-06. That's perfect for the usual bushveld ranges in southern Africa. I think it will probably expand just fine out to 150-200 yards or so. But, I haven't used them yet so that's just specualtion on my part. Geoff McDonald (owner of Woodleigh) did test this bullet pretty thoroughly before releasing it for sale. See Special 30-06 Centenary Projectile (Link to pdf file.)

As I said, I haven't used this new 240 gr bullet but I have used the 220 gr Woodleigh RN in my .30-06 in South Africa. The muzzle velocity of my handload was 2460 fps. Here's a pic of the only bullet I recovered on that trip:



This was recovered from my Red Hartebeest. The recovered bullet is from the second, finishing shot fired from about 10 yards. First shot (at about 120 yards) was a pass through and put the animal down but he needed a finishing shot when we got up to him. As you can tell from the photo below, my first shot was a little high and back, hence the need for the finisher shot. Second shot was fired into the animal's left hand side and went through the upper leg bone, smashed the heart, and came to rest just under the skin (which was against the ground) on the opposite side.



But I will say that I'm not sure I really see a need for a 240 gr bullet in the .30-06. The 220 gr bullet already has a high sectional density (.331) and is a fairly heavy bullet. Still, I may give these new 240 gr Woodleigh bullets a try just for the heck of it.

I do think the 240 gr Woodleighs would probably make a heck of a good load when fired out of a .300 H&H at around 2450 to 2500 fps.

-Bob F.

Yes, please do this ASAP and give us the report. The mumbo-jumbo about what might or might not work at what velocity is pretty easily resolved when we have some real world penetration and expansion data.

I have a hard time believing that any of these bullets will outpenetrate a 180 TSX, but the rub is that they might penetrate just as deep while also cutting a bigger channel. Now that would be fun! I'll probably get some for my 30-06 just so that I can say I have a "buffalo load," just in case I need it someday. In fact, they look so nifty I may load some for a "stopper load" when I follow up a whitetail--you never know what an adrenaline-charged buck might do, up close and in the brush and all! Further, we recently had a Dakotan stomped to death by a cow who had just calved--she caved the guy's brain in when he fell down. So who knows, I just might need one someday when I'm hunting somebody's big Hereford pasture and the bulls get loose. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

jwp,

Marshals work doesn't account for the "human psyoclogical" factor of "Im shot therefore I must die" factor. It is, when taken in its entirety, very good evidence of what works and what doesn't. It should also be noted that "handgun stopping" means only that hostitily was ceased, not that a kill was produced. This is the major difference. However, to me the concept is not lost on big game animals. Penetration of the vitals will certainly kill...penetration of the vitals combinded with near complete energy transfer, IMO, is gravy on already "good vittles".

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MD,
Please write about this test and its results.

Expat

I have not seen loading data for the 240 gr. Woodleigh, but I suspect that (out of a 22" barrel), you'd be hard pressed to see 2100 fps from a 30-06. 2100 fps translates to 2350 ft. lbs. of energy at the muzzle - this is not enough energy to do a whole lot of penetration if the bullet opens wide. Fire it in a 300 Weatherby at 400 fps faster and you'll see some deep penetration.

Energy transfer is a myth.Take a 250 pound NFL running back whom runs a 10 flat hundred(that is 30 feet per secound) do the math this eqates to 3504 foot ponds of energy from his speed alone(not counting anyone else's speed). If energy kills then the morgue should be full of football players each weekend during the season. A bow & arrow will not equall the energy of a 22 LR. Yet kills very effectively when the arrow passes through vitall organs. When a bullet mushrooms much of its energy is used on the bullet ,not energy transfer.Go to www.firearmstactical.com/pdf/fbi-hwfe.pdf and read all 19 pages.

jwp,

I respectfully disagree! Energy transfer is not a myth. It may not in and of itself mean a kill, in fact, it does not, but it contributes to a more humane kill. Many an animal has sustained a 100% energy transfer and survived (bullet failure). However, if you read the thread, it clearly indicates that pentration AND energy transfer contributes to the kill. Also, its apples and oranges to compare a running back (which transfers all its energy over a very large surface area, to a bullet which transfers all it energy to a very small area, hopefully the vitals. Foot Pounds of energy is not a myth, but it is misunderstood to be sure, and you're a living example. Your running back and bow example are comparing apples to oranges. Ft Lbs is not the only way to kill...slit the neck of your prey and it dies with little energy transfer. In fact, just poke a sharp stick into the jugular with very little force and it will die...but it will usually die quicker or just as quick and while feeling no pain if you hit it sqarely on the head with a sledge hammer, even with a moderate blow.

(added with edit): One might also note the next time they see a deer hit by a car, that there is little "penetration" but much energy transfer that contributes to the road kills.

IMO, I think that slug would hit like the HAMMER OF GOD out of a 300 RUM at around 2850-2900fps. It would be the cat�s ass for big critters. I was always a heavy for caliber kinda guy! But then again you never know until you test them, they might be too soft. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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I think you've got the velocity/penetration concept backwards.

Expat

I doubt it will out penetrate a Failsafe. A TSX may even edge it under some circumstances. But neither of those will be making as large a wound channel along the way (if launched with enough velocity). Efficiency of design (100% weight retention) can "make up for" a little weight. But not that much weight.

As one of the few here who has extensively tested 240 30 cals (not this one though), mark my words--this bullet will accomplish what no little 168/180 whatever could even dream of in terms of combined wound channel size along with penetration.

Want an Interbond sized wound channel? Well, it won't penetrate like a monometal. Want monometal penetration? Don't expect as large a wound channel.

Want both? You need the weight.

You are correct the energy trtansfer of a running back doesnot kill because it does not penetrate. When energy is uesesd to penetrate that then it kills not energy transfer. The bullet failures that you speak of manny wound call 100% energy transfer of course this type of performance is less than optimal. Big bore revolvers kill (such as the 475 Linebaugh) on large game such Moose, Buffalo, etc as well and often better than rifles that produce 2 to 2.5 times the energy. Energy is only a part of the equation, bullet momentum should not be ignored.If read Dr. Martin Facklers work he says the only thing that matters is penetration and the size of the permament wound channel and all other factors are irrelavent.I will not convince you other wise I am sure, Just do't quote to me that pile of junk that Evan Marshall puts out.

Woodleigh's suggested loads for 30-06 Springfield with the 240gr PP bullet from their flyer/catalog insert file:

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Loads for 30-06 Springfield 240gr PP bullet.
We suggest you start 5% lower and work up.

48 grains Hodgdon H4350 (ADI AR2209), 2250 FPS, Federal 210 primer.
54 grains Hodgdon H4831SC (ADI AR 2213SC), 2350 FPS, Federal 210 primer.
59 grains Hodgdon H1000 (ADI AR2217), 2300 FPS, Federal 215 primer.
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Link to their two page flyer/catalog insert (a PDF file) with the loading data:
Woodleigh New Bullets

2250 fps -- 2699 ft lb
2300 fps -- 2820 ft lb
2350 fps -- 2944 ft lb

I'll just mention that such cartridges as the 8x60S Mauser, the .318 Westley Richards and the 9.3x62 made their reputations in Africa firing a heavy bullet at around 2300 fps. The 8x60S Mauser fired a 227 gr bullet (.323" diameter) at around 2340 fps (IIRC). Kynoch listed the .318 W-R as firing a 250 gr bullet (.330" diameter) at 2400 fps. Kynoch's load for the 9.3x62 was a 286 gr bullet (.366" diameter) at 2250 fps. Norma now loads it to about 2360 fps.

IMHO, a 240 gr bullet in the .30-06 at 2300-2350 fps should work well on plains game in Africa when hunting in the bushveld where shooting distances are usually around 50-150 yards.

-Bob F.

Kinetic Energy transfer is a myth? Wow! What school did you go to where they teach that? Let me guess! Was it the school of your own limited experience and opinion? Fackler is a quack and an idiot if he makes statements like that! You seem to be for relying so heavily on it. From your statements, a .45 ACP is quite enough for most big game.

My friend, I wont argue with you, as you're too ignorant to see.

By the way, I don't normally point this type of thing out unless it makes a post almost unreadable, but try spelling and grammar check why don't you.

JonA, thanks for helping out on the intended topic of discussion in this thread. Could you contribute a summary of which heavy 30 caliber bullets you have tested, and what exactly we could expect out of them concerning things like velocity, penetration, wound channel size, and stability from a typical 30-06 or 300 mag? Thanks.

FWIW, I just thought I would add the comments from Woodleigh's brochure about this new 240 gr bullet.

-Bob F.

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It delivers excellent accuracy from standard 30/06 rifles, and performance on big game is outstanding. This bullet has been developed through testing on Australian buffalo under professional culling conditions, on medium and large deer, and wild cattle, with excellent performance results.

The Woodleigh Bullets operation includes input from a number of honorary associates including Dave Lindner, dangerous game mentor and chief bullet tester, of the Northern Territory who has shot several thousand buffalo with Woodleigh products.

Apart from targeting Woodleigh with demands and ideas Dave is notorious for infatuations on firearms and calibres, both shotgun and rifle. For 2 years now a BSA Hunter in 30-06 has been his rifle preoccupation. It is a standard weight 24� barrel model with a classic American stock Jack O'Connor would have approved of, and acquired in as new condition.

We have been bombarded with requests for a variety of new projectiles for use on buffalo in this rifle and Dave's arm twisting tactic was to remind us of the impending 2006 centenary for the 30-06 cartridge. We conceded and have produced a 240gr Weldcore Protected Point.

Dave had to get herd numbers down on free ranging buffalo in October 2005 when a wild goose influx grazed out a wetlands pasture. Geoff McDonald and his son Glen flew up to assist. Geoff had the luck to take on a large wild bull involving fast shooting at close range.

Accurate body shots into heart/lung vitals gave a quite impressive result.

It must be stressed that its use on buffalo is in commercial style shooting [culling] and only clear body shots or close head shots should be taken, the same limitations older hunters would have placed on the famous 318 in Africa.

Loads for 250gr bullets for 30-06 have been published for years, and will provide a starting point for loading this round.

We recommend the 30-06, loaded with this bullet for all American big game, and do so with complete confidence based on our own experience, and of others who helped field test this bullet.
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I haven't ever loaded this 240 grain, however, I did go through a couple of boxes of the Barnes 250 roundnose.( which sadly they don't catalog anymore) They seemed to expand fine at 30-06 velocities based on the wound channels in elk, but I never recovered a bullet. I was able to easily get 2375 fps out of my 24" barrel with H4831. With some of the newer powders such as N560, I believe >2400 fps is possible.

BFaucett I was reading along here and thinking to
myself I wonder how that 240 grainer would work
in my 308 Norma Mag. probably about the same
as you saying for 300 H&H. How do you feel about
that loading? Cheers Northcountry

Anyone loading the 240 grain Woodliegh in any of the 300 Mags, should keep in mind that this bullet is designed for 1900 to 2400 fps velocity range and faster speeds may cause excessive or over mushrooming and therfore may not perform as designed

Well, I don't own a .300 mag of any flavor. I was just speculating when I said that this bullet out of a .300 H&H at around 2500 fps would probably make a good load. I've used Woodleigh bullets in the .30-06 (220 gr RN), the 8x57 (220 gr RN) and the 9.3x62 (286 gr RN) on plains game in South Africa. Based on that limited experience, I'd say that Woodleigh's recommended impact velocities are probably valid and good advice.

As stated earlier, this 240 gr .30 cal bullet has a recommended impact velocity range of 2400-1900 fps. Pushing it to around 2500 fps muzzle velocity in a .300 mag probably wouldn't hurt anything and that would be a useful gain over the 2250-2350 fps listed by Woodleigh in their .30-06 loads.

Based upon my use of the .30-06 with the Woodleigh 220 gr RN at 2460 fps on plains game, I think this 240 gr bullet in a .300 mag at around 2450 to 2500 fps would make a very fine load for hunting plains game in the bushveld where shooting distances are normally around 50 to 150 yards. It would still shoot plenty flat out to 200 yards or so if need be.

My two cents.....
-Bob F.