Thread: Norma Bondstrike

Fellas, I didn’t really intend for this to be a “look at this long-range thousand yard deer bullet” kind of thing.

I’m not really into shooting deer that far out, but by all means debate it if that’s what floats your boat. I think most of us know that once you get into the properly out their ranges then you probably need a softer, weight shedding bullet. But that said there’s been some metallurgical development in the premium bonded bullet products in the last couple of years, that suggests maybe that logic can be re-assessed.

I was looking at it more from the typical New Zealand long-ish shot at big deer / tahr with a light or standard magnum such as, 7mm RM, .300 WSM, .300 WM etc. For most guys, that’s a 400-600ish metres shot. The heavy magnums are a different kettle of fish and not really my scene.

I recently shot a very heavy, beaten up old red stag with a fucked rear leg at 580m with a .300 WSM. Solid hit right on the upper humerus. Smashed the leg completely, bullet passed through with a geyser of blood spraying out the exit all over the place. Poor old bastard made some ground downhill, staggering on pretty much on 1½ rear legs, one front leg, before giving up and rolling into the shit in the bottom of the gully. I was glad of the bonded Federal Fusion, because with hindsight I’m not so sure how well a thin jacketed cup & core bullet would have dealt to him, having clearly struck the leg bone on the way in.

First time I had used that bullet (factory ammo) and I have no complaints at all about how it did the job. But ballistically it’s very much in the middle ground and there are much sleeker tipped bonded bullet options now, with higher BC and retained energy. That particular experience has got me thinking about what I would choose if I became a regular Magnum shooter. I’ve pretty much decided I would go for the highest BC, rapidly expanding bonded bullet that shot well in the rifle. From what I remember of bonded bullets back in the day (Africa), they tended to be pretty hopeless once they had shed velocity. These days, the metallurgy has improved and we have much better expansion over a much wider range from point blank to waaaayyy out there.

This is a good thing.

Originally Posted by GWH

The terminal performance looks good and nice and reliable inside 500 yards (their max test distance) It'd be interesting to see what the expansion looks like out further all the way out to 1,000 yards, I'm thinking once its gets out beyond 700 ish the expansion and terminal performance might not be that great.

Ive just grabbed a box of 225 gr eldm's which I'm about to test in my 26" barreled 300 Rum. The 225gr has a G1 BC of .777 and I should be able to push them to 3,000 fps with Re33 no prob.

I hear reports of excellent and reliable terminal performance (expansion and penetration) with fast kills with a number of deer taken out to 900 yards shooting the 225gr from a 300WM, so I'm thinking the 225gr eldm should be just the ticket for my extended range hunting with the 300 RUM. At a muzzle velocity of 3k, out at 1,000 yards it should still deliver 1800+ Ft Lbs and 1900 fps impact velocity, which sounds like it's still enough for decent expansion.

The 180gr Bondstrike may be a good option for me for any closer shots that arise however, or one of the mono's.

I've heard equally bad results I swear someone on here had a big magnum that penciled the 225 eld ms. I shot them slow out of a 16.5" 308 and they killed well at 350-450yards on the few Cham I shot. All bang flops muzzle velocity of 2400fps

Thanks RugerM77, I've got some Norma with the 140 Nosler, which shoots same POI as the Hornady etc which is handy, but yes I'd be keen to try that 156 oryx if that is still in the cupboard.

Anyone know any NZ vendors that have the 180gn bondstrike projectiles ? Or if it's possible to import and where ? worth the hassle ?

@Northkiwi. Had a count, 26 left. Bugger. You can have them if you want them. No use to me. I've got a store in Whangarei. PM me if you like. Pick up from store. Cheers

Originally Posted by dannyb

Anyone know any NZ vendors that have the 180gn bondstrike projectiles ? Or if it's possible to import and where ? worth the hassle ?

@dannyb How many you want? I know someone who could get them out of europe

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

@dannyb How many you want? I know someone who could get them out of europe

Good point I'll flick him a mesage

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

@dannyb How many you want? I know someone who could get them out of europe

Nope no can do unfortunately was worth a try....Anyone else got any contacts ?

Originally Posted by dannyb

Good point I'll flick him a mesage

@dannyb I think perhaps you are thinking of someone other than I am thinking of ?. My contact is from Germany

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

@dannyb I think perhaps you are thinking of someone other than I am thinking of ?. My contact is from Germany

I was thinking of Sarvo ummm I'd like a box to try but then ongoing supply if they go well say another 3 or 4 boxes upfront post load development.....

I was emailing with NZ Ammunition last year and they expected some to be ready to retail now-ish. Might be worth contacting them.

Originally Posted by imaca

I was emailing with NZ Ammunition last year and they expected some to be ready to retail now-ish. Might be worth contacting them.

Yup emailed them 2 days ago.....no response

I just got some 180g Bondstrikes that im gunna load in my 300 Wby. Probs gunna load to about 3.6-3.65 COAL and 2217 for the powder, but unsure whether to run the 215 or the WLRM primer. Completely guessing on set up, but have a good idea on powder charges to use. See what we can come up with

Originally Posted by dannyb

Anyone know any NZ vendors that have the 180gn bondstrike projectiles ? Or if it's possible to import and where ? worth the hassle ?

Reloading direct has them cheers


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Originally Posted by buzzman

Reloading direct has them cheers


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yeah seen that but on the fence with them as the 300wsm shoots 1 hole groups with the 178eldm's I already have a supply of....would like to try them but only a curiosity and in a time when components are not easily replaced I have to consider if it really is a need or a want....