As already stated above, each bullet type has its pros and cons, depending on the intended use of the bullet, and how each shoots in YOUR rifle.
This requires you to experiment to determine this, as no two barrels shoot the same bullet in the exact same matter, even if consecutively manufactured one after another with the same reamer and button or cutter to chamber and rifle the barrel. There will always be the slightest variation due to a number of metal and barrel manufacturing variables. The same goes for the bullet and its manufacturing process...and then for the ammunition manufacturing process, or your handloading process.
I have read repeatedly over the years that the reason that a FB may shoot better in a rifle at shorter distances (300 yards or less) is that the expanding gases impart equal pressure on the flat base of bullet that fills the barrel more than a BT bullets base, as it travels down the barrel, therefore providing enhanced accuracy, then compared to the BT bullet where the gases can push past the base of the bullet due to the taper, creating unequal pressure on the base of the bullet. Now, I am not a physicist, but have enough mechanical aptitude to see how this could be true.
I have also read that the BT's higher BC doesn't really start to be realized until further down range (past 300 yards) so that its benefits start to shine in retaining the velocity and retained energy on the target animal, as already mentioned.
Another factor not yet mentioned in this thread, is that some bullets take a certain distance out of the barrel before they "settle down" and produce better groups on the target at various distances. As an example, the 160 gr SGK bullet shot out of my 7MM STW @ 3222 fps produces 1" groups @ 100 yards but will produce 3" groups @ 400 yards. Typically, this bullet should produce larger groups at the longer distance, not tighter. Sometimes a bullet needs some distance travelled before the spin stabilizes the bullet so that it flies better, producing tighter groups at the longer distance, than the shorter distance.
At the end of the day, the cost of 2 boxes of bullets is relatively inexpensive in order to determine which will shoot best in your rifle. Although only you can decide what your end goal is with the rifle and load.
Is it for target practice only, out to 300 yards? Or more?
Is it going to be for hunting only? And to what distance?
Is it also going to serve double duty for target practice and hunting game? And if so, at what distances are you comfortable and capable of accurately placing that bullet in the vitals from field shooting distances? (to steal the lottery corporation's motto: Know your limits and stay within it!)
As gets written about frequently, it is interesting that one will spends hundreds or thousands of dollars on a rifle and optics, and spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to travel and hunt (or compete), but then expects to spend as little as possible on the ammunition or bullet, when it is ultimately the bullet that does the most work to cleanly kill the animal or fly true and land on the intended point of aim. Spend a little more here to ensure that you are using the right tool for the intended purpose; acquire and prove which bullet shoots the best in your rifle, and will produce the desired result when placed accurately on the target.
