Boat tails vs Flatbase in 6ppc

[turkeynut]

Why have the majority of shooters switched to boat tail bullets, are they really more accurate? I’m sure there’s a ton of threads on this subject but everything I’ve seen are old threads from why back.

 

[Screamer]

Why have the majority of shooters switched to boat tail bullets, are they really more accurate? I’m sure there’s a ton of threads on this subject but everything I’ve seen are old threads from why back.

I've shot both over the years. I prefer FB.

 

[old_heli_logger]

I don't compete; I use my 6ppc for varmints. I have had very good luck with the Sierra 60 grain Varminter...it is a flat based bullet and cheap.
Good luck!

 

[ShtrRdy]

The belief use to be that FB were more accurate. One dimension that can be quite different on a FB with respect to a BT is the diameter at the pressure ring is larger than the bearing surface.

 

[Bill Norris]

Why have the majority of shooters switched to boat tail bullets, are they really more accurate? I’m sure there’s a ton of threads on this subject but everything I’ve seen are old threads from why back.

Jack Neary commented on this some time back on a podcast with Erik Cortina and said the B T bullets used a bit more powder to stabilize it and some thought it was a little more accurate than the F B. The B T bullet in larger calibers and weights certainly does hold true to the more accurate school or thought due to the wind fighting capabilities at longer ranges.

 

[Screamer]

The belief use to be that FB were more accurate. One dimension that can be quite different on a FB with respect to a BT is the diameter at the pressure ring is larger than the bearing surface.

I shoot mainly SR group & some VFS. I only shoot 6ppc. My reamer is a JGS 1045 w/ .040 Freebore. With every new barrel & fresh chamber good custom BT's & FB will shoot great once tuned. As the throat wears I like the fb if I want to change my seating depth. The pressure ring diameter can vary from one bullet maker to the next. All in the die they use. , but have better luck keeping a fb in tune versus bt.
My 2cents, thanks

 

[Steve Donlon]

The F.B. bullets I have shot at 300 yards are more accurate also. Only when you start going longer does the advantage taper off for me in 30 cal.

 

[Link]

I have noticed that BTs seat easier and more consistent depth wise.

 

[SeabeeKen]

My 14 twist had trouble stabilizing BT bullets as opposed to flat base in the heavier weights in my testing of 22 and 6mm ppcs. Starting a new round of tests soon in my 6 ppc which is 13 twist.
My 14 t 22 ppc sent 65 gr bt thru target sideways but FB was fine

 

[Leeinmichigan]

In the early-mid 2000’s, Lowell Hottenstein’s 68 gr. boat tails began winning matches over the FB bullet makers at that time (especially at 200 yards). Lot of shooters switched to BTs, and other bullet makers started to experiment with them. Results drive changes.

 

[JMayo]

I switched because i couldn't get custom flat based at the time. All the custom makers i use went Boat tail.
Both did well for me .
.

 

[Murray Brook]

My 14 twist had trouble stabilizing BT bullets as opposed to flat base in the heavier weights in my testing of 22 and 6mm ppcs. Starting a new round of tests soon in my 6 ppc which is 13 twist.
My 14 t 22 ppc sent 65 gr bt thru target sideways but FB was fine

My 14 twist 6mm ppc (Sako) will stabilize a 72 gr flat base but will not do a 68 gr BT.

 

[jackieschmidt]

In the early-mid 2000’s, Lowell Hottenstein’s 68 gr. boat tails began winning matches over the FB bullet makers at that time (especially at 200 yards). Lot of shooters switched to BTs, and other bullet makers started to experiment with them. Results drive changes.

Back when Armand Paglia started shooting his own BT’s back in 2000, they really took off, even though he only sold them to a select few. If memory serves, Tony was one of them.
Until then, Fowler, Watson, and a few others probably made the best FB bullets available to the public.
When Lester started making bullets on that great Niemi die, (his OO), those were considered about as good as could get, untill as you said, Lowell came out with his. At that time, I knew several really good shooters who made their own bullets but in big Matches, such as the Nationals and the Super Shoot, would shoot Lowell’s.
A good friend of mine, Vic Smith, still has several thousand of those Hottensteins from the mid 2000’s.

 

[Leeinmichigan]

…At that time, I knew several really good shooters who made their own bullets but in big Matches, such as the Nationals and the Super Shoot, would shoot Lowell’s.
A good friend of mine, Vic Smith, still has several thousand of those Hottensteins from the mid 2000’s.

I remember only one person that bought as many of Lowell’s Simonson die 68 gr, boattail bullets as he was willing to make, and that was Hall of Fame shooter Joe Krupa. To this day, I don’t recall him selling any of them (I’m talking lots of boxes). Maybe someday Joe will compete again, and I’m certain those bullets will win again.