Your friend is right HC. I live close to the UK importer for GS custom, (Sloanes of Inverurie) and they have had no supply for some time . Not sure if they are not ordering any or they are having problems with Customs - either SA or here.
The GS site is useful as there is a large chart comparing the burning rates of powders so if you cannot find the ones Barnes recommends then you may be able to find a similar one to experiment with - but if you do experiment its at your own risk and be careful.
GS bullets are individually turned on a computer controlled lathe to very fine tolerances. Only the driving bands on the bullets are normal diameter for the calibre, ie the rest of the bullet is a smaller diameter than a normal bullet of the same calibre, there is therefore very little friction as the bullet is driven through the barrel. Their bullets can be tapped lightly through a barrel with light pressure. I've tried it and it work. Not recommended with normal bullets and I haven't tried it with Barnes.
I believe GS work on the principal that as their bullet slips easily down the barrel the pressure in the chamber and the barrel is low compared to the pressures generated by normal ammunition they can safely up the powder charges to give the normal operating pressures as found with normal ammunition. This gives rise to the greater speeds at which their recommended loads generate which in turn give rise to flatter trajectories and to larger temporary wound cavities as the bullet passes through the animal compared to standard ammunition.
They explain it much better and in greater detail on the site. Look at the "new rules" and also at "useful stuff" shooting holes in wounding theory. Latter very lengthy but looks at many different sets of wounding theories and comes up with a good theory based on tests and field observations. Other people on the site have recommended it using the authors name as a reference (escapes me at this time).
Good luck with the new loads
Bob
) including BIG lowland Red stags. Good bullet.
MS
