Originally Posted by
Triple Se7en
You seem to following the same mindset as me. Is Lehigh trying to cater to a very small audience? In other words, are all the people associated with these bullets/company categorized as 200-400 yard shooters, interested in building bullets unlike what the 95% audience have been pursuing the past 15 years or-so?
I would say that Lehigh is doing the opposite of what you are suggesting. Lehigh has really tried to serve everyone with the bullets they offer. Lehigh has worked very hard to serve the ML hunter with a bullet that works the same from 20 yards to 200+ yards, and I can personally say that I have experience with both of those ranges. Probably the least served group of hunter is the long range hunters. Non of their bullets have a high enough BC to be considered by the long range hunters. It just happens that with their low BC they still have the ability to go 200 yards plus. The recent changes in the bullets is another effort by Lehigh to make the bullet more general purpose. By 'broaching' the bullet will work at a lower FPS allowing folks to use reduced loads. In the case of the 40x215 it is designed for the those people the have a 1-20 twist rifle. This is not a large number but still a group of people that would prefer the heavier bullet. For those with the slower twist 45's the majority of the people out there, Lehigh offers a 40x200 and an even shorter 40x185. With these selections they have the 45 shooters pretty well covered.
One other thought to share - the Bloodline style of bullet built for Knight is under contract to Knight - By contract Lehigh can not openly sell the 230 grain Bloodline on the market even though Knight has not purchased the bullet yet.
In other words, are too many honchos at Lehigh from "open terrain America", which is such a small audience of shooters. Most ML shooters live further North and further East, where 100-150 yard shots are considered long. Where mushroom expansion is implanted so heavily in their store purchases.
You are really off base with that statement. You might look into the working of Lehigh before you condemn them. They have been in the past and will continue to be a working man's company. They try very hard to offer a projectile to fill everyone's needs.
Mushrooming bullets are the norm in America and will always be considered the norm - but in other places other bullets working in a totally different method have proven their abilities. I think if you were ever to give a Lehigh bullet the opportunity to work for you would see the difference.
BTW..... I sometimes shoot my 50/40 260 grain Precision Extremes. Talk about a long, narrow bullet...... they shoot very well, but not at "open terrain distances. But again I must mention that 90% of America want bullets for 150 yards and under. 5% more want up-to 200 yard targets. Then there's the last remaining 5% group that want 200-400 yards....... so many in that group posting either here, or at Modern or Doug's.
I was away from ML messageboards for several years. Now most of the posts and threads are from ML technical employees or designers. So few posts are from "real ML America"..... the Average-Joe shooters/hunters looking for accessories different than what's often discussed on ML boards today.
OK, I'm done ranting for this month and next.....lol
I am an old time American hunter myself - yet I have no problem moving to a technology that is superior to the present technology. In the world of bullets I want a bullet the presents the best Terminal Performance - time and time again and over the last several years Lehigh offerings have provided that.
But, I still drive a Ford...