What distance to use Boattail?

[HuntPA]

I tested a 6.5-284 rifle and ammo in preparation for a moose hunt in Alaska a few years ago. My intended rifle I had built for the trip took a bad turn a month before the trip but that's another story. In testing the 142 gr Partition on target against the Berger 140gr VLD, I had virtually the same point of impact out to 600 yards. As good as I could hold and shoot a very accurate rifle, but with a hunting bi-pod and a 5.5-22X NF scope. Groups under good conditions landed within one MOA of each other. I had a sheep, grizzly, moose and (5) wolf tags on the trip. I planned on using the VLD's for sheep and wolves as I had the year prior and the partitions for moose and a bear if we ran across one.

Ballistic programs are good, but test with your rifle and load, you might be surprised at the results.
Good Luck,
Scott

Thanks Scott.

 

[HuntPA]

Why would some one not want to take an advantage from the instant to bullet leaves the barrel until it hits it's intended target regardless of the distance being shot...?

For the CharlieSC and David M stated above.


My reasoning for want to use the partition is because it was what it was available and what i have invested the ladder testing into - but also its proven ability to knock down large game. Other (2) bullet conosderations are the Accubond and the Federal Ascent (which have the boattail).

 

[DiffEQ]

To me, you can use calculators and predictors, but until you actually shoot them out of your gun, distance is theoretical.
To me, calculate and verify. Field data is a must.
I've used 338 cal 225gr flat based PSPs out to 850 on non-wind days and they're MOA in that gun (338 edge). Never tried them farther, nor wanted to try.

 

[DirtySteve]

For the CharlieSC and David M stated above.


My reasoning for want to use the partition is because it was what it was available and what i have invested the later testing into - but also its proven ability to knock down large game. Other (2) bullet conosderations are the Accubond and the Federal Ascent (which have the boattail).

That was information I did not have when I made the statement.. Having already developed a load and currently with the lack of availability a person must use what is on hand...

 

[DirtySteve]

There was some argument years ago about the boat tail separating the core easier with high energy hits. I'm not sure how that plays out today but in any case in close avoid heavy bone is reasonable with any projectile that's being pushed hard.

The Accubond line up resolves this problem.. The Accubond LR lineup is even better..

 

[ebb]

Back when i started reloading I was told or read that BTs had no advantage under 300yds. I have no idea if this is based on fact or one of the many lies that are passed down to shooters as gospel truth form the "experts". After some thought i think i read this from one of the old sages that writes for the American Rifleman.

 

[ebb]

Dusty to the equipment lists give any proof if the BTs help at 200 or 300 yds? Just curious

 

[DaveTooley]

Dusty to the equipment lists give any proof if the BTs help at 200 or 300 yds? Just curious

Just that BT's are what the winners are shooting.
I shoot BT's. Do they help? They do in my head when I'm shooting small groups with them.

 

[284winner]

Shoot them anytime they are the most accurate bullet thru the barrel. Sure they help down range offering less drop and windage but not far enough that a flat base will equal performance out to 500 yards +/- depending on the bullets weight and caliber. May sound crazy but I prefer a Nosler Partition in a couple of my rifles out to 400-450 more than most boat tail designs. Again, depending on what I'm hunting.

 

[ebb]

Hey if they are on the winners equipment list thats all I need to hear. I have shoot 2 different 5 shot groups that measured in the 0s they were both shoot with the old style berger 65 grain flat base. But that was on a no wind day. Day in day out wind sometimes not others i can see that they may be better. However, i must shoot up all my 65 bergers first.

 

[jackieschmidt]

When the BC difference means the difference in wind deflection is greater than the precision of your system (rifle, ammo, shooter combined).

Otherwise too many unknowns and assumptions to matter.

Great answer.

 

[jackieschmidt]

We use bt bullets in short range br for a reason. Its not just stylish.

I don’t know, Dusty.
We all got hooked on the double radius ogive boat tails back in the early 2000’s, and forgot how good an old straight shank 7 1/2 ogive flat base shot.

I’m going to find out, since that is what my new dies make.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I don’t know, Dusty.
We all got hooked on the double radius ogive boat tails back in the early 2000’s, and forgot how good an old straight shank 7 1/2 ogive flat base shot.

I’m going to find out, since that is what my new dies make.

I remember you liking those brunos. We did a lot of stuff back in the good ole days shooting .250+ aggs like remington and hall actions, mcmillan stocks, flat base bullets and h322 powder. I do revisit my good old bullet stash every once in a while though

 

[sdean]

Just that BT's are what the winners are shooting.
I shoot BT's. Do they help? They do in my head when I'm shooting small groups with them.

Seems like you used to be a terror with those 187 BIB's

 

[DaveTooley]

Seems like you used to be a terror with those 187 BIB's

Absolutely the best, most consistent shooting LR bullet I ever shot. Barrel after barrel they just worked.

 

[shoot4fun]

What distance would a boat tail spitzer profile out perform a flat base profile? (300 win mag nosler partition category) from muzzle to 1200 yards.

Bullet performance is not measured in BC alone and that is especially true when a clean, ethical kill is the only thing that should be considered.
The bullet that kills cleanly at 600 yards may leave you heartbroken inside 100 yards. I believe in choosing the bullet for the purpose and not the numbers alone.

 

[HuntPA]

What bullet left you broken hearted?

 

[FNSafari]

There was some argument years ago about the boat tail separating the core easier with high energy hits. I'm not sure how that plays out today but in any case in close avoid heavy bone is reasonable with any projectile that's being pushed hard.

Use a Barnes boat tail, shoot it as fast as you can accurately and forget about it.

 

[shoot4fun]

What bullet left you broken hearted?

Thankfully none. I have had one animal in the last 40 years of hunting that had to be tracked. A Speer BTSP blew up in a nice whitetail buck. The same style bullets had served me well for many years in both 7 and 30 calibers so shooting them in a 25-06 made perfect sense to me. It was (still is) the only time I didn't get my desired energy dump and exit wound that I have long felt I needed.
But your original question makes me wonder just what animal you feel the urge to try and kill at 1200 yards.

 

[HuntPA]

Thankfully none. I have had one animal in the last 40 years of hunting that had to be tracked. A Speer BTSP blew up in a nice whitetail buck. The same style bullets had served me well for many years in both 7 and 30 calibers so shooting them in a 25-06 made perfect sense to me. It was (still is) the only time I didn't get my desired energy dump and exit wound that I have long felt I needed.
But your original question makes me wonder just what animal you feel the urge to try and kill at 1200 yards.

Excellent to hear your success with the speers. I understand why you are asking the question, but please don’t misunderstand my original question. My original question was regarding flat base vs boattail performance not killing an animal - The 1200 yard shot is a truing exercise to verify actual BC for actual barrel length and rifling.