I bought mine online here:
www.virtusprecision.co.uk/
If you're having trouble getting them on the phone, give @Virtus Precision UK a shout on here.... They're a good bunch and I'm sure they'll get back to you as soon as they can.
Virtus Precision Copper Bullets
- Thread starter Too Deer
- Start date
www.virtusprecision.co.uk/
If you're having trouble getting them on the phone, give @Virtus Precision UK a shout on here.... They're a good bunch and I'm sure they'll get back to you as soon as they can.
fresh slots
Well-Known Member
@bobthenailer any chance you have the skin off pics?
bobthenailer
Well-Known Member
Afternoon, I’m away from home stalking but will post the skin off pictures as soon as I’m gone on Monday as signal here is poor.
Kind regards,
Bob.
Kind regards,
Bob.
Brave Echo Niner
Well-Known Member
So I just finished basic load development yesterday and shot a doe this morning with the 150 grain Merlins. I found a node at 2790FPS and have settled with this.
Here was the effect of the bullet on a Roe doe at 50-60m (estimated based off previous ranged distance), the entry is low in the chest due to it being a fairly uphill shot.
The doe dropped on the spot and there was lung material found about 5-10 yards behind it.
All in all a lovely morning to be out and the bullet worked as intended.
Ben
Here was the effect of the bullet on a Roe doe at 50-60m (estimated based off previous ranged distance), the entry is low in the chest due to it being a fairly uphill shot.
The doe dropped on the spot and there was lung material found about 5-10 yards behind it.
All in all a lovely morning to be out and the bullet worked as intended.
Ben
Ben,
If you are concerned about the meat damage of the Merlins, the Ospreys might suit you better especially on small deer like Roe.
We are currently conducting more tests on the 155GN 30CAL Merlin projectiles. Although the terminal performance is fantastic that will give you a lot of room for error, it might not suit everyone if shooting a deer at short range in the heart/lung area. That is exactly where the Osprey design comes in. Less meat damage at normal hunting ranges in the UK.
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. Anyone can send us send an email via the website and I will respond as soon as I can. The issue with the phone number on the website will be addressed.
Regards,
Vern.
If you are concerned about the meat damage of the Merlins, the Ospreys might suit you better especially on small deer like Roe.
We are currently conducting more tests on the 155GN 30CAL Merlin projectiles. Although the terminal performance is fantastic that will give you a lot of room for error, it might not suit everyone if shooting a deer at short range in the heart/lung area. That is exactly where the Osprey design comes in. Less meat damage at normal hunting ranges in the UK.
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. Anyone can send us send an email via the website and I will respond as soon as I can. The issue with the phone number on the website will be addressed.
Regards,
Vern.
Sorry to hear this Ashray. I wish you the very best of luck. Please be aware that your statement is not the reason why we dropped the price. Our intention will always be to strive to provide everyone with the best product possible and continue to improve as we continue on this journey.
Could be that Vern is a busy individual and has accidentally let his Trade Membership lapse.
Also, they’re a new company. With lots of overheads that perhaps didn’t manifest themselves initially they put a price on the bullets that seemed reasonable. Now that they’ve been established longer, they’ve realised they can still make ends meet but sell the bullets for less.
Wins all round, I’d say.
Brave Echo Niner
Well-Known Member
Many thanks for your reply, going forwards the Merlin load will not be used for close range bits like this, that Roe this morning was merely a case of I had loaded them and was itching to see what they will do!
Over the coming weeks I will be trying them over clearfell/open hill where ranges will be longer, which is where I feel they will be more at home.
nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
Well those pictures pretty much put to bed the old "all monometal copper bullets don't expand very well" 
Such a helpful and pleasant post about a UK start-up company trying it’s best to find it’s way in the world and going out of its way to be honest and provide good customer service. Completely unnecessary.
‘Even more concerning’....
I dont know what your issue is. You think the price is too high but then complain when he drops them?
Have you any idea of the startup costs in this line of business? The length of time taken to design, then manufacture good designs and test them?
Possibly retain a sense of perspective. Can you now buy UK made projectiles in common calibres, proven to work? Yes.
If you prefer a US brand which is imported once/twice a year, and is DEFINITELY sold with a high markup, crack on. Its a free country.
I will buy Virtus and Yew Tree. #buybritish
So, I've not managed to get out over the past few weeks so my 300 BLK review will have to wait but some people are more lucky than I am!
A good mate of mine somehow blagged his way into some Hind culling on the Isle of Skye. Being pretty busy, he left ammo til the last minute and at the 11th hour realised he needed NLA. Being the good bloke that I am, I duly surrended a box of Merlins that I ordered for the missus' .308.... #brosbeforetheobvious.
So, I risked castration in exchange for a few beers and some feedback..... I'm a cheap date.
Anyway, after a few days of shitty weather, I finally got some photos; some of the fun he had out on the hills and a few of the job the Virtus stuff does downrange..... He's no David Bailey and a man of few words so, for his sake the beers better be decent!
Ultimately 43 deer got the good news, out to 200m. No runners and they seem to do exactly what I hoped they would do. Notably, it proved to me that the Merlins are better suited to Reds at distance than the Muntjac on the end of your barrel that I've used them for so far
Anyway
I'll actually get to use the next lot I buy.... And that nobody snitches on me for trading the missus' stuff for booze!
A good mate of mine somehow blagged his way into some Hind culling on the Isle of Skye. Being pretty busy, he left ammo til the last minute and at the 11th hour realised he needed NLA. Being the good bloke that I am, I duly surrended a box of Merlins that I ordered for the missus' .308.... #brosbeforetheobvious.
So, I risked castration in exchange for a few beers and some feedback..... I'm a cheap date.
Anyway, after a few days of shitty weather, I finally got some photos; some of the fun he had out on the hills and a few of the job the Virtus stuff does downrange..... He's no David Bailey and a man of few words so, for his sake the beers better be decent!
Ultimately 43 deer got the good news, out to 200m. No runners and they seem to do exactly what I hoped they would do. Notably, it proved to me that the Merlins are better suited to Reds at distance than the Muntjac on the end of your barrel that I've used them for so far
Anyway
I'll actually get to use the next lot I buy.... And that nobody snitches on me for trading the missus' stuff for booze!Attachments
Or 110gr - if 120gr BTs work on reds then it should be possible to reduce weight on copper
Gents,
We will look into a 7mm Osprey design on Monday however we will have to test it first before selling it on the website.
Based on the knowledge we gained over the last 18 months and 19 different prototypes, the 7mm projectile should be pretty straight forward.
We will look into a 7mm Osprey design on Monday however we will have to test it first before selling it on the website.
Based on the knowledge we gained over the last 18 months and 19 different prototypes, the 7mm projectile should be pretty straight forward.
Brave Echo Niner
Well-Known Member
So I’ve just skinned and butchered the Roe I shot about a week ago.
Here was the result, obviously the Merlins are more suited to more extended range shooting where damage may not be quite so much, however despite this, there was only one front leg lost in this deer, with a very small tidy entrance and a good sized exit.
Needless to say so far I am impressed, the terminal effect is excellent and it was easy to work a load up for (albeit in a very non-fussy rifle).
Ben
Here was the result, obviously the Merlins are more suited to more extended range shooting where damage may not be quite so much, however despite this, there was only one front leg lost in this deer, with a very small tidy entrance and a good sized exit.
Needless to say so far I am impressed, the terminal effect is excellent and it was easy to work a load up for (albeit in a very non-fussy rifle).
Ben
baguio
Well-Known Member
And you're happy with that? Wow! Reminds me of my old SST's in the 25-06. I wonder what my game dealer would say about that? Thanks for posting anyway.
Brave Echo Niner
Well-Known Member
As they’re intended to be used at more extended ranges than this yes, the test was simply to see they worked under conditions that gave the bullet every opportunity to do so. When I set out I was aware trying these on a chest shot at 40-50m ish could be messy, but ordinarily I would have head/neck shot at this range so not a concern. This test has simply given me a confidence to use them at more range. My standard shot over clearfell and open hill averages about 200m approximately, hence the choice.
Normally I use the Barnes TTSX for close woodland stalking like this and get very tidy results from them.
On the game dealer point, I cannot speak of many game dealers, as I use only a couple due to locality, but they are happy so long as the carcass is clean and the saddles are intact. If the saddle is damaged that’s when deductions are made. From my understanding they don’t make much money on the front legs anyway.
In any case Virtus do a more limited damage model if that is a concern for you (osprey). I have found them (as a company) brilliant to deal with, having had quick and detailed responses all round, I’m sure they can help you in finding something that will suit your needs.
Ben
baguio
Well-Known Member
Sorry but I just can't see what you were trying to achieve? Why not try them at the range you're planning on using them at? The fact that the behave like a hand grenade at 50m doesn't mean that they won't behave like a hand grenade at 200m too does it?
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