Anyone use 215 hybrids pointed?
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XTR
F-TR obssessed shooting junkie
I assume you are talking about a 308.
BC gain isn't much pointing any of the 30s; however you can improve your consistency if you do it correctly. Kind of only matters out at 1000 yards. I point everything, but you have to look close to see it.
Most people that I know of who have had success with 215s (myself included) run or ran them in the range of 2550FPS or so, from a 30" barrel and having a suitable freebore. That means a minimum of about .200+ to as much as .260. I think Jade has one with a .280 that barely hangs them in the case.
BC gain isn't much pointing any of the 30s; however you can improve your consistency if you do it correctly. Kind of only matters out at 1000 yards. I point everything, but you have to look close to see it.
Most people that I know of who have had success with 215s (myself included) run or ran them in the range of 2550FPS or so, from a 30" barrel and having a suitable freebore. That means a minimum of about .200+ to as much as .260. I think Jade has one with a .280 that barely hangs them in the case.
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
FWIW - I have used LabRadar velocity drop data to estimate BCs for pretty much every bullet I use. Unpointed bullets typically have values that are pretty much spot on the advertised (box) value. In the case of the 215s, I did not estimate a BC for unpointed 215s, so you'll have to consider that caveat and the caveat of using LabRadar velocity drop data (i.e. short distance). The value I came up with for pointed 215s was 0.368 +/-.004 (avg. of 12 shots). As compared to the advertised BC value (0.354), that would represent an increase in BC of ~4%, which is fairly typical. The actual percent increase in BC from pointing bullets is dependent on the ratio of meplat diameter to bullet caliber. The larger the meplat diameter relative to caliber, the more benefit in terms of increased BC will be realized after pointing. For example, pointing 0.224" 90 VLDs yields an estimated BC increase of over 6%, whereas for most of the .30 cal bullet I have measured the typical estimated BC increase is around 3 to 4%.
Obviously, the BC increases from pointing bullets are not huge. In my hands, proper pointing of bullets can also increase precision/consistency in terms of group size on the target, but not everyone shares that experience. It's important to note that a very small increase in BC, or a slight tightening of groups on the target from pointing bullets are somewhat intangible results. It's very difficult, even over time, to prove beyond question that pointing bullets will improve your scores. Nonetheless, most of those that regularly point bullets would agree that even a very slight improvement in performance might be worth a point or two here and there that might make the difference between winning and not winning, which is a big part of why we do it.
Obviously, the BC increases from pointing bullets are not huge. In my hands, proper pointing of bullets can also increase precision/consistency in terms of group size on the target, but not everyone shares that experience. It's important to note that a very small increase in BC, or a slight tightening of groups on the target from pointing bullets are somewhat intangible results. It's very difficult, even over time, to prove beyond question that pointing bullets will improve your scores. Nonetheless, most of those that regularly point bullets would agree that even a very slight improvement in performance might be worth a point or two here and there that might make the difference between winning and not winning, which is a big part of why we do it.
Thank you for the detailed response. I understand the concept of a point here or there pretty well! I would expect to find a node around 2520 fps or so with 28" barrel.
Will decide between these and the 200.20x when i get to it.
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
With a 30" barrel and Varget, the 215s tuned in for me at ~2550-2560 fps in a rifle with 0.180" freebore. Although that freebore is optimal for the 200.20X bullet, it's on the short side for the 215s...workable, but short. When you compare the external ballistics for pointed 215s at ~2550 fps to the 200.20Xs over Varget at ~2650 fps using estimated BCs for both tuned loads, the differences are quite small. So the two are almost a wash in my hands. At that point, other factors such as recoil management, ease of tuning, availability, etc., may need to be considered in making a final decision of which one to use.
I shoot a .300 WSM. One of the things I have noticed about pointing is that with the newer(est) lots of 215s, I have seen, have no need to point. NOTE: I USED TO point MOST my bullets. I did NOT point them to gain an increase in B.C. The meplats were never really consistent. One side W-A-Y higher than the other, the openings in the hollow-point were of various sizes etcc..etc.. So I pointed them and "closed" the meplats about 1/2 way. That made them "look to the naked eye" to appear much more consistent. They shot great, so I kept at it. However, the NEW lots of 215s have been pretty dang good. I have, at least temporarily, stopped pointing them . The Berger 230s have been so consistent out of the box, they look like a GIANT Berger 108BT. No need to point there either!!
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