Mini 348 Range report

[RKrodle]

I've had some 250 gr loads form Grizzly Cartridge for a couple of months and finally got off my duff and ran them across my chronograph. I didn't check for accuracy this time around because I could barely keep my chrono upright from the cross wind. This load is using the 250 gr Kodiak bullet. Grizzly's web site has these listed as coming soon but they have them ready to go. Mike is in the process of revamping his web site so it's not up to date as of right now.

I got an average velocity of 2392 fps. These things are cooking. This is from a 20 inch barrel. Mike says he gets 2500 from his 24" 71. With a 6 inch kill zone it gives you 230 yrd point blank range. 3" high at 100, dead on at 200 and 5.5 low at 250 yrds. For anyone that's into the numbers: PO Ackley 60, TKO 30, Matunas OGW 1283. Muzzle energy of 3176 ft/lbs.

Recoil wasn't bad at all, and there was no sticky cases. If the wind ever quiets blowing I checkit out for accuracy, if it's like the rest of Mike's ammo I'm sure it will be a tack driver.

[JReed]

Sweet! That should do the trick for just about anything you care to shoot with it.

[Idiot]

Thanks for the report; I've wondered about that particular offering from Grizzly and with your report I might have to order a few boxes and give them a try.

My standard load fires the 200 grain Barnes X-Bullet at 2500 fps. I expect this will serve for just about anything short of bull elk in the thickets or an angry sow who's cub I just tripped over.

I've got a couple boxes of 220 grain Barnes X-Bullets as well, but will likely stock up on some standard 200 grain Hornady stuff and a bunch of 250 offerings, like the Barnes original.

I tend to stay away from bonded bullets, like the Kodiak, simply because it usually takes a good bit of velocity to get them to expand. If you've tried these bullets on anything (deer, pigs, bear, elk) I'd sure like to hear about it; especially regarding terminal velocity and expansion. Again, thanks for the report.

[71fan]

Nice! Those are impressive numbers indeed. I look forward to your next range reoprt regarding accuracy. I imagine they thump your shoulder pretty good too shooting from bench...were you using a pad?

[RKrodle]

I tend to stay away from bonded bullets, like the Kodiak, simply because it usually takes a good bit of velocity to get them to expand. If you've tried these bullets on anything (deer, pigs, bear, elk) I'd sure like to hear about it; especially regarding terminal velocity and expansion. Again, thanks for the report.

Idiot,
I haven't shot anything as of yet, maybe I'll have a chance at the April Levergun Safari. Mike shot a Moufon(sp) a couple of months ago, not much of a test. They video taped it and he said it looked strange when the bullet impacted the animal so they played it again in slow motion. He said you could see shock waves move out from the impact area when the bullet hit.

Nice! Those are impressive numbers indeed. I look forward to your next range reoprt regarding accuracy. I imagine they thump your shoulder pretty good too shooting from bench...were you using a pad?

71fan,
The recoil really wasn't to bad, I did put a pad because I didn't know what to expect . I hope to have time in a few days to check accuracy, but I'm really not that great of a shot anymore with irons, so I may not be able to do it justice.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

I shot a full box of those a few months back along with a bunch of the standard Winchester 200gr Silvertips. They were quite an eye opener after having fired the regular stuff. I wasn't expecting that level of oomph at the time. I believe I was averaging in the 2480's from my Browning with an extreme spread of 9 fps.

[Mike Rintoul]

Thanks for the positive reports on the ammo guys. I shot the Mouflon at around 70 yds. The total live weight was 154 pounds. I shot it head on to get an idea of penetration. The bullet struck just above the breast notch and exited in the center of the right ham. The exit hole was .77 leading me to believe the expansion was in the .60 caliber range with the excess being the tearing of flesh and skin. The Kodiak bullets have a lot of lead exposed that help them expand at some pretty low velocities. Additionally, they are manufactured with a process that has the lead slightly softer at the front of the bullet. The jacket is also tapered just a hair, thinner up front. We have never had one fail to expand at all even at velocities down to 1100 something fps. Going from apples to oranges for a minute, Joe has gotten outstanding performance from the 458's out to 300+ yds, meaning the velocity was from 2000 fps muzzle to 1500 fps past 300 yds. Pretty consistent expansion over a range of 500 fps for such a large bullet. Similarly, that 348 will expand well within 1000 fps range, with .70 caliber likely at high impact velocity and closer to .55 at the lower velocities.

[Old Savage]

That's a killer.

[Al]

I tend to stay away from bonded bullets, like the Kodiak, simply because it usually takes a good bit of velocity to get them to expand. If you've tried these bullets on anything (deer, pigs, bear, elk) I'd sure like to hear about it; especially regarding terminal velocity and expansion. Again, thanks for the report.

I popped a 330# blackie this spring with Buffalo Bores 250gr Kodiak load at 35yds. Bullet took him point of right front shoulder and was found in his "nut sack" . Noooooo problem with expansion.

I can take some pics of it if somebody can post them.

[Idiot]

Thanks for the positive reports on the ammo guys. I shot the Mouflon at around 70 yds. The total live weight was 154 pounds. I shot it head on to get an idea of penetration. The bullet struck just above the breast notch and exited in the center of the right ham. The exit hole was .77 leading me to believe the expansion was in the .60 caliber range with the excess being the tearing of flesh and skin. The Kodiak bullets have a lot of lead exposed that help them expand at some pretty low velocities. Additionally, they are manufactured with a process that has the lead slightly softer at the front of the bullet. The jacket is also tapered just a hair, thinner up front. We have never had one fail to expand at all even at velocities down to 1100 something fps. Going from apples to oranges for a minute, Joe has gotten outstanding performance from the 458's out to 300+ yds, meaning the velocity was from 2000 fps muzzle to 1500 fps past 300 yds. Pretty consistent expansion over a range of 500 fps for such a large bullet. Similarly, that 348 will expand well within 1000 fps range, with .70 caliber likely at high impact velocity and closer to .55 at the lower velocities.

I tend to stay away from bonded bullets, like the Kodiak, simply because it usually takes a good bit of velocity to get them to expand. If you've tried these bullets on anything (deer, pigs, bear, elk) I'd sure like to hear about it; especially regarding terminal velocity and expansion. Again, thanks for the report.

I popped a 330# blackie this spring with Buffalo Bores 250gr Kodiak load at 35yds. Bullet took him point of right front shoulder and was found in his "nut sack" . Noooooo problem with expansion.

THIS POST AND BUNCH OF RESPONSES ARE WORTH THE COST OF ADMISSION FOR SURE. THANKS GUYS. I MUST GET A GOOD SUPPLY OF THESE BULLETS (AND A FEW BOXES OF AMMO AS WELL - BOTH FROM GRIZZLY AND BUFFALO BORE).

[Al]

I shoot the 450gr and 500gr Kodiaks from my 50 Alaskan and 50-110, bears didn't go anywheres when hit by them either, but I never recovered any of those bullets.

I also have 5-6 boxes of the old .348 230gr Northforks to load and play with this spring.

I've had excellent results on elk and moose with Northforks in my 338-378 Weatherby.

[Idiot]

So where does one obtain Grizzly's 348 Winchester cartridges?

[O.S.O.K.]

Thanks for the update! Makes me want to get a M71... and boy do I know what you mean about the wind. That last time out to the range (last week) the wind literally tore my target off of the stand! I had to staple all around the darn thing to keep it in place.

[kimwcook]

Welcome to the high desert of Washington State. Although I have to say the winds haven't been to bad this winter.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

So where does one obtain Grizzly's 348 Winchester cartridges?

I bought mine from Midway a while back. They show backordered at the moment. I suppose Mike may have some on the shelves at Grizzly though. Maybe worth a PM.

[RKrodle]

So where does one obtain Grizzly's 348 Winchester cartridges?

Call Mike at 503-556-3006.

[piller]

Ricky, that .348 sounds like fun. I haven't bought any loaded cartridges from Grizzly, but the cast bullets I have bought worked great at the range. I need to get more, load them up and go hunting somewhere.

[86er]

Ricky - you get that 348 to the April Leverguns Safari and try it out.

Piller - get your bullets and join us as well.

That is a combination I would like to see in action!

[piller]

When in April, what dates? 86er did you post the dates in this forum already? If so, I need to look it up.

[RKrodle]

Piller, Here you go, hope you can make it.

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=11229

[brucew44guns]

Every black tailed deer and mule deer I ever aimed at went down with a .348 in 200 grain Silver Tip, as well as one Oregon elk. It was as if a .22 rimfire shot a mouse, instant death. Those Grizzly cartridges might well give a hippo or a rhino a pretty good headache if a head shot was delivered. OOOOHHH I bet that would smart"

[piller]

I had forgotten about the post for the spring safari. I better put in for vacation that weekend so I can be there to Ricky take something with that .348. I'll do everything I can to be there.