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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Big Bore Rifles
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BigRx
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Reged: 26/12/04
Posts: 24
Loc: Idaho
Hawk Bullets - Opinion
      #22672 - 26/12/04 06:03 AM

What is your opinion of Hawk bullets?

I am thinking of trying their 350gr .411 or .416 bullets in the thinner jacket (.025") at around 2200fps MV for black bear. Do you think the .035" jacket would be better?

Thanks for your replies.

BigRx

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mikeh416Rigby
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Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....
Re: Hawk Bullets - Opinion [Re: BigRx]
      #22763 - 29/12/04 12:38 AM

A friend of mine reloads professionally, and from the feedback he's received from clients, prefers the thicker jacket. He's reported some major failures with the thinner jacketed Hawks. Overall, he's not a great fan of the Hawks.

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5284
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Hawk Bullets - Opinion [Re: BigRx]
      #22769 - 29/12/04 04:01 AM

I agree with Mike. Use the thicker jacket.

I have not killed any game with Hawk bullets yet, but from the looks of how they do in soft dirt I don't think the jacket is bonded to the core.

But then again, Sierra bullets do the same.

Just MHO,
CptCurl

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
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Re: Hawk Bullets - Opinion [Re: BigRx]
      #22770 - 29/12/04 04:06 AM

NE450No2 on these forums uses Hawk bullets.


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NE450No2
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Reged: 10/01/03
Posts: 942
Re: Hawk Bullets - Opinion [Re: NitroX]
      #22782 - 29/12/04 06:22 AM

Big Rx sent me a PM and I replied. I will post some info here on the Hawk bullets.
I first used .408 diameter 300 gr with the .025jkt in my 450/400 3 1/4" double rifle. I wanted to shoot deer and pigs with a bullet that would expand on behind the shoulder shots. After talking with the Hawk people we decided that the .025jkt would be the right one.
My velocity was @2330fps. They worked PEREFECTLY.
Most of the pig kills were one shot/drop. Those that did run never went over 25 yards. I recovered a few bullets and they were mushroomed to a large diameter with little or no shank left. They are perfect for broadside shots.
I liked them so well I got some 9,3 285 gr with the .035 jacket. I used these in my 9,3x74R double rifle, velocity again around 2330 fps. They too have worked perfectly on several deer, impala in africa, and several wild pigs. The bullets I have recovered from pigs have expanded almost as big as the .408's but still have quite a bit of shank left.
They are not bonded.
I now have some 400 grain .408 with the .035jkt that I will test on pigs and if the results are good use them on black bear over bait.
You can gert Hawk bullets in almost any diameter. Also you can chose the jacket thickness for the velocity you are using. There are plenty of good high velocity bullets around, but I think the Hawks are some of the best around for low to medium velocity rifles.
For velocities above 2400fps or for bigger game I would go to a thicker jacket. Give them a call and they will help you decide which jacket thickness is best for you intended rifle and game. After all they should know there product best.
The Hawk bullets have worked great for me.

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NE450No2
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Reged: 10/01/03
Posts: 942
Re: Hawk Bullets - Opinion [Re: NE450No2]
      #22783 - 29/12/04 06:25 AM

I would use the .035jacket Hawk for black bear.
Keep the velocity less than 2350 fps.

Edited by NE450No2 (29/12/04 06:28 AM)

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atkinson6
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Reged: 26/01/04
Posts: 678
Loc: Idaho
Re: Hawk Bullets - Opinion [Re: NE450No2]
      #22794 - 29/12/04 10:18 AM

I have just had too many failures on game with them and I always used the thickest jackets. They are simply an old fashion bullet that uses soft copper and tapered jackets, they work some of the time and so did the old factory bullets we used to use, but I have had an awfull lot of Hawks turn inside out in a 7x57, 338 Win and in my 416 Rem. I quit using them altogether for hunting.

That said they do seem to work better in slow moving big bores like some of the double rifles and the 45-70, 45-90 etc....and that said why anyone would pick them over a Woodleigh that will work everytime is beyond me unless you are just looking for a cheap bullet to shoot for practice...

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1885
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Reged: 27/12/04
Posts: 92
Loc: Edmond, OK, USA
Re: Hawk Bullets - Opinion [Re: atkinson6]
      #22811 - 29/12/04 12:28 PM

Last year, I took a 17 point Whitetail at about 55 yds. broadside with my vintage Model 1895 Marlin in .40-82WCF. It was loaded with a .411", 270 gr., .025" jkt Hawk at about 1800fps. It hit him in the left front shoulder and was just a lump under the skin on the outside of the right front shoulder. It mushroomed great and flat knocked him down and out with just the one shot. He never got back up. I'll continue to use that Hawk bullet in all my .40-82 reloads.

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400NitroExpress
.400 member


Reged: 26/11/03
Posts: 1154
Loc: Lone Star State
Re: Hawk Bullets - Opinion [Re: NE450No2]
      #22978 - 31/12/04 03:12 PM

For black bear, I've used the Hawk 300 grain 9.3 mm .030" jacket round tip at 2000 fps in a .400/.360 NE double with perfect results. It sets 'em right down. I also use this load for pigs, whitetail, elk in the timber, etc. Judging from the wound channels, expansion is very good and penetration is excellent. I've never recovered one from game - I've always gotten an exit.

Hawks are very accurate in my .400/.360, but my .450/.400 doesn't like them for some reason. At nitro express velocities they're a good bullet. At 2200-2300 fps, I would probably go to the .035" jacket. Hawk will make bullets in any weight or diameter you want and at a very reasonable price.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

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NE450No2
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Reged: 10/01/03
Posts: 942
Re: Hawk Bullets - Opinion [Re: 400NitroExpress]
      #22979 - 31/12/04 03:22 PM

I have seen 400 Nitro drop a pig with his .400/.360, and a couple with his 450/400 too.

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