Flat base hunting versus Boat tail hunting

[Levi Garrett]

It is important that the newer folks to the shooting sports know some on this subject. I will let folks fill in the blanks.Plus add a pole
Close range deer hunting 25-250 meters
Long range deer hunting 250-500 meters
Which do you think would stabilize quicker for what range and reason.
Some engineer types can even give a blorb on why this works this way.
Also it may come to light that some premium bullets may not be required for certain applications.
Frank

 

[John Y Cannuck]

IMO there isn't enough difference out to 300 meters ballistically, to worry about.
Chose the one that your gun shoots best, and performs best on game.
For me, that's a flat base. Cheaper, effective, and accurate.

 

[SuperCub]

It has been my impression that shorter bullets are more accurate that longer bullets of the same weight, generally speaking.

I use flat base and round nose bullets.




sc

 

[todbartell]

flat base would work fine at moderate ranges

even at long range, a spitzer would be within an inch of a BT

your average BT is a good deal 'softer' than a spitzer flat base, and is more prone to overexpansion and core seperation

on deer, that ususally aint a hindrance...
​

 

[dw]

Well I use a boattail cause the bonded bullets I use fly so well with my rifle and they come that way

 

[Silverado]

I've had excellent experiences with both. Lest we forget how many rifles love the Nosler Partition, a flat base design.

I don't think the ballistic advantages of a boat tail come into play until you're really looking at the drop in velocity and thus retained energy at fairly long ranges. At practical hunting ranges (for a mere mortal like me) I don't think there's any appreciable difference at all. It boils down to what the gun shoots best.

 

[JohnC]

for punching paper or snipingat 600 to 1000 yards plus bullet shape (or more properly ballistic coefficient) plays an important role.

Out to 300 yards bullet construction + ability to retain weight and expand , and transfer energy to the game is a lot more important.

 

[stubblejumper]

Some rifles shoot flat bases better and some shoot boattails better,but on average the ballistic tip is one of the most accurate bullets in most rifles.It is a boatail.

 

[John Spartan]

Can't see any significant difference over short range and as others have said, it depends on which your rifle shoots better.

 

[Big JD-From the hills]

Unless you want to shoot the deer through the pupil every time I don't think you/or the deer are going to notice a difference between a flat base bullet, or a boat tail at 25-200 yards in the feild.

 

[1shot]

I don't believe that you get any benefit from boat-tail before 300yards, is that right?

 

[mdbuckle]

I usually choose a flat base for hunting. Most shots will be under 300 yards so there really isn't much difference between the two. Pick what works for you is all I can say...

 

[Foxer]

I don't know about calling 250 yards 'short' range.. i think my grandad would have called it a 'goodly ways out there'

But i've never given it any real care. If the bullet i want or works well in my gun is a boat tail - so be it. If it's a flat base i'm just as happy.