Looking for match grade bonded bullets

[SteveOak]

I have a target shooting application where bonded bullets might be my best choice. Since the target at 500 meters is only 2 MOA high, the bullet also needs to be match grade.

Does anyone make match grade bonded bullets? Commercial production bonded bullets from Hornady, Nosler etc. are not going to cut it. I am looking for bullets from a custom bullet maker.

Solid/monolithic bullets would probably have the terminal performance I am looking for but there is a potential problem of target damage and I am already having difficulty with the Range Officer on that topic so I don't think that will work.

The cartridge is a 6BR so ideally I would like to find a 6mm, 105gr +/- VLD bullet but for the sake of discussion I would appreciate hearing about any source of match grade bonded bullets. The minimum level of performance with respect to accuracy and BC would be not less than a Sierra 6mm, 107gr MK.

For the incurably curious, the function is to knock over a 55 lb steel target at 500 meters. If you hit it and it does not fall, no score. What happens all too often with conventional copper jacketed/lead core bullets is that they disintegrate upon striking the steel and do not transfer enough energy to it to get it to move. My supposition is that a bonded bullet will stay together a little longer, long enough to have a better push at the target but no so hard of a push as to cause excessive target damage. Even conventional copper jacketed/lead core bullets cause somewhat of a ding so the Range Officer is quite concerned about what a solid/monolithic bullet would do.

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

What happens all too often with conventional copper jacketed/lead core bullets is that they disintegrate upon striking the steel and do not transfer enough energy to it to get it to move.

It's momentum transfer, not energy transfer, that knocks the target over. I very much doubt that a monolithic or bonded bullet has a higher coefficient of restitution ("elasticity" parameter) than a cup and core bullet, but if so, they would be better at knocking over the steel. My guess is that all of these bullet types have coefficients of restitution near zero (inelastic collision -- "splatter" rather than "rebound"), at least at the impact velocities you're talking about, which would make them all equal in their ability to topple the target.

 

[SteveOak]

Thanks but I'm really not looking to have a physics discussion. I merely gave a description to fend off the inevitable "what are you doing" questions.

But if you can point me to a custom bullet makes that makes match grade bonded bullets that would be cool

 

[dkhunt14]

I don't think any are made. Sierra has tougher thicker jackets in their Match bullets. You could also try pointing them. The smaller the hole the less they open. Matt

 

[SteveOak]

Thanks Matt. I'm thinking you might be right. The few that I find through Google are larger caliber and not VLD types.

I wanted to utilize the broad experiences of the forum to make sure that I was not missing any. I may have to look at making them myself.

The Sierra 6mm, 107 MK, while a great shooting bullet, is unfortunately not as reliable in knocking over the target as we would like. That is why I am looking for alternatives.

 

[SteveOak]

Matrix Ballistics makes custom match bonded bullets and in 6mm. Nice!

Does anyone have experience with their bullets? Even if only the non bonded versions?

 

[mikeeg02]

Not trying to derail, but we shoot ~55# steel targets at 1,000 yards at ridgway. With a 6BR, (and most shoot them around 2800) if you hit it wrong (as you've noticed at 500 meters) it won't go over. If you can get your velocity up to dasher speeds (2940+) with a 105 grain bullet, you will do well to knock it over. It's much more consistent. 6mm is probably one of the most prominent cartridges at ridgway.

There have been instances where even a 240 grain 300 mag will hit and turn it, but not knock it over. So any caliber can have that issue. But a hit without knocking it over has happened more with 6BR speeds then the faster dasher speeds. And probably most running 6mm are using Berger 105 hybrids, though there is a little bit of everything there, at ~150 guns a match.

 

[SteveOak]

Not trying to derail, but we shoot ~55# steel targets at 1,000 yards at ridgway.

What are the results with bonded bullets?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Could you get a cannelure tool from corbin and lock the jackets down?

 

[SteveOak]

Could you get a cannelure tool from corbin and lock the jackets down?

That is an interesting idea. Corbin sells one HCT-1.

Do you have any experience with a bullet with a second cannelure?

CH 4D Cannelure Tool


$129.95
Product Description
This popular tool will roll a cannelure groove on any jacketed bullet from 17 to 45 caliber. Completely adjustable for depth and height. One setting will produce thousands of bullets. Also useful for making a second cannelure to lock the core to the jacket to control expansion of hunting bullets. Precision machined throughout. The cutting wheel is hardened to 59C Rockwell, so it will never wear out!

Apparently it has been done. It would not be as effective as bonding but it only needs to be enough. But it would be a lot easier and enormously less expensive.

 

[JRS]

Talk to Randy Robinett. He might, and might not, disclose his secret.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That is an interesting idea. Corbin sells one HCT-1.

Do you have any experience with a bullet with a second cannelure?

CH 4D Cannelure Tool


$129.95
Product Description
This popular tool will roll a cannelure groove on any jacketed bullet from 17 to 45 caliber. Completely adjustable for depth and height. One setting will produce thousands of bullets. Also useful for making a second cannelure to lock the core to the jacket to control expansion of hunting bullets. Precision machined throughout. The cutting wheel is hardened to 59C Rockwell, so it will never wear out!

Apparently it has been done. It would not be as effective as bonding but it only needs to be enough. But it would be a lot easier and enormously less expensive.

No i never used one but seen it years ago and filed the info away incase i ever needed it. If it didnt destroy the integrity of the bullet it may help you

 

[SteveOak]

Talk to Randy Robinett. He might, and might not, disclose his secret.

The secret to?????

 

[JRS]

The secret to?????

Making bonded core match bullets. The good RG made some, and they proved to be quite successful

 

[SteveOak]

Making bonded core match bullets. The good RG made some, and they proved to be quite successful

Interesting. Thank you.

In what way were the bonded core match bullets successful? HPR Silhouette?

 

[JRS]

Interesting. Thank you.

In what way were the bonded core match bullets successful? HPR Silhouette?

Talk to Randy.