Flat based bullets - what's the drawback

Get or give advice on equipment, reloading and other technical issues.

Moderator: Mod

Tim L
Posts: 976
Joined: Mon May 19, 2014 7:11 pm
Location: Townsville
Has thanked: 43 times
Been thanked: 462 times

Flat based bullets - what's the drawback

Post by Tim L »

It's a dangerous occupation, but I'm thinking.
I ran a 243 and a 223 hunter. The 223 sings with Sierra 55gn soft points, which have a flat base, and the 243 shoots 100gn fmj's like a target rifle to 300m but I've never pushed them further. They both shoot Nosler BT's pretty well but the flat base just seems to work better.

What's the drawback that stops flat base target projectiles being made?
AlanF
Posts: 7532
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:22 pm
Location: Maffra, Vic
Has thanked: 229 times
Been thanked: 936 times

Re: Flat based bullets - what's the drawback

Post by AlanF »

Tim,

Flat bases are easier to make uniformly than boat-tails, so flat base projectiles are generally regarded as more uniform and hence more accurate. BUT, they are also more prone to being affected by the wind, due to the lower BC. So they are commonly used for short range disciplines, but rarely at long range in any discipline, where wind effects are a major consideration. With high quality boat-tail bullets like Bergers available, it becomes a no-brainer for F-Class, although at the shorter ranges we shoot, a good flat-base projectile wouldn't lose out.

Alan
williada
Posts: 969
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:37 am
Has thanked: 263 times
Been thanked: 422 times

Re: Flat based bullets - what's the drawback

Post by williada »

Parasitic drag over mid and long distance.
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic