meplat trimming plastic tipped bullets???

[lurcher]

I am loading for model 7 7 saum (140 accubonds). I can't seat out close to the lands (am about 80thou+ off) because of the short action magazine box. I can't get a wyatts extended box for the model 7 action. I had wondered if it were possible to trim about 60 thou (1.5mm) off the end of the bullets using a meplat trimmer. I haven't read about anyone doing this with plastic tipped bullets. Is this a crazy idea? I use the rifle for hunting medium-sized game out to about 400M so a minor loss in BC won't be a huge issue.

 

[RonAKA]

I don't see why you can't do it. I kind of think those tips are more for decoration than anything else. HP Match bullets can have a large meplat and still perform well. Some Berger Bullets have a meplat diameter of 0.082".

 

[lurcher]

OK, I have never used a meplat trimmer, any recommendations? I see that Whidden have one that fits on a Wilson trimmer, (I have the Wilson). Not looking to spend a lot of coin for an experiment...

Do you reckon these trimmers cut the plastic OK?

 

[Erik Cortina]

Why not just take a hot knife or something and cut the tips off at the base? If it's just an experiment it should work. Maybe try one and see.

What about a file? File a few down as far down as you need them and try it out.

 

[LHSmith]

I know of an accomplished BR competitor who now builds long-range hunting rifles. He has been nipping off the plastic tips ( with a razor) for years to function in the magazines. Apparently the ability to seat these bullets out closer to the rifling and getting the base of the bullet in the neck over-rides any BC loss in a hunting gun, especially at the range you listed.

 

[RonAKA]

Why not just take a hot knife or something and cut the tips off at the base? If it's just an experiment it should work. Maybe try one and see.

What about a file? File a few down as far down as you need them and try it out.

I agree. Don't see why you need a special tool. Just cut the damn things off.

 

[lurcher]

Ok. On a really sharply pointed bullet like a hornady sst then the plastic tip isn't a large overall proportion of the bullet. But for the likes of a nosler accubond or a ballistic tip then removing the whole tip leaves a fairly blunt looking bullet. Will this have any effects? Also would it not be better to remove a known, equal amount off each bullet? (which is why I was thinking of the meplat trimmer).

 

[LHSmith]

lurch.....from what I have seen on the results of nipping off the plastic tip, there is no measurable degregation in performance either target-wise, or terminal wise. The plastic is light weight. I too was apprehensive at first....but for your needs, that tip is not needed.
just nip off enough to function in your mag, if your worried.

 

[lurcher]

Hmmm but I thought the idea of the plastic tip was that they aided expansion, will nipping off the whole tip change the bullet expansion characteristics? this article goes into it. Looking at This pic shows a cross section of a ballistic tip

 

[lpreddick]

i shoot varmints. my 223 lbc ar's magazine wouldn''t allow case with 60 hornady v-max to load. i clipped enough of the plastic tip then smoothed the cut and loaded. terminal ballistics and accuracy were not affected.

if i can see you, i cantouch you.BANG!