Do pointed bullets require a different load?

[Alexander-M]

In your experience, does the powder charge and bullet seating depth you developed for a plain bullet work just as well; i.e., accuracy-wise, for the same bullet, but pointed? Or have you had to go back and redo the seating depths and charge weight combinations for the best accuracy for the same bullet, but pointed??

Thx!

Alex

 

[vanwhyjr]

Not really any load change for me. Definetly a knob change. Specially at 1000. The 7mm hybrids tipped seem about 1 moa or so flatter.

 

[sw282]

lf you check Speer, Hornady, or Sierra manuels you will notice the data shows several bullet types but with the same weight.. 0nly difference would be different C O L for different bullets..

 

[Tommie]

If bullet weight and bearing surface remain the same then internal ballistics will be the same. That doesn’t necessarily translate to equal external or terminal performance, however.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Alex - as has been stated, generally no. The only caveat to that is if you overpoint your bullets (i.e. squeeze the meplat down too far trying close it), you can create a slight "bulge" just below the pointed cone generated by the pointing die. The bulge in and of itself is not an issue from a ballistic viewpoint, but if large enough, it will alter the distance on the bullet nose between where the seater die stem contacts the bullet when seating, and where your caliper insert seats on the bullet when measuring seating depth. The easiest solution is simply don't overpoint bullets, or use something like Bob Green's Comparator tool to sort bullets after pointing them. In general, if you're going to point bullets, you might as well use pointed bullets when doing the load development. Having said that, the pointing process, when properly done, should really only affect your scope elevation setting, not the properties of the load itself (i.e. it affects the external ballistics, not internal).

 

[Alexander-M]

Thank you, all - that certainly answers my question. I just did not feel like starting from scratch unless absolutely necessary.

Greg: "The only caveat to that is if you overpoint your bullets (i.e. squeeze the meplat down too far trying close it)"

Yes! I remember reading that before, so I make sure I don't completely close the meplat.

Thx!

Alex