Flat or boattail bullets..............

kamlooky

kamlooky

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I have been using the Hornady flat based bullets out of the ole 308 Norma Mag. I reload the 165 gr sp Interlocks.
All I have been able to find are the boattail versions of this bullet.
If I decide to purchase these, would the point of impact change if all
else is duplicated?
I've been told the flat point bullets stabilize better than boattails with this particular caliber....truth or myth?:confused:
Cheers.
Looky.
 
You will be using .308" bullets,so to state that flat based bullets will stabilize better,is totally unproven.Some rifles prefer flat based bullets,some prefer boattailed bullets.As to the point of impact,it varies from gun to gun,you need to shoot every new load in your gun to know for sure.
 
Kamlooky. As SJ says, you have to try each bullet to determine what your rifle will do with them. I notice you are loading your Hornady IL's in a 308 Norma Magnum. As a long time user of this potent 30, I am wary of using this bullet in mine due to the fact that they will disintegrate if you hit any heavy bone at ranges under 200 yards. I would suggest you find a premium 165 grain bullet to try instead of that Hornady IL. [ Partition, Barnes TSX, Accubond, Hornady Interbond, etc]
Regards, Eagleye.
 
The thing that I could see is the POI changing due to less drag on the boat tail design. Compare the BC of the bullets and run it through some software to give you a rough idea.

As for stability , I think every rifle would be different.
 
kamlooky said:
I have been using the Hornady flat based bullets out of the ole 308 Norma Mag. I reload the 165 gr sp Interlocks.
All I have been able to find are the boattail versions of this bullet...
I've been told the flat point bullets stabilize better than boattails with this particular caliber....truth or myth?:confused:
Click to expand...

For the same bullet weight, and basic design (jacketed lead core), flat based will always stabalize better than boat tails because they are shorter. But keep in mind that stabalized is more of a Yes it is, or No it is not thing. If both are stabalized then other factors will determine which is more accurate. Some believe the flat base bullet can be made more accurate, and it will shoot better at short ranges. At long ranges the boat tail drifts less in the wind, and tends to be more accurate.
 
I have two brands of 308, 180 grain boat tail bullets, a few of each.
You better try some before you buy a box.
 
Thanks gents. What I have here works for me and I ran out of bullets. Seems the locals
were out of supply as well. I just didn't have the urge to try on something new with this old Schultz & Larsen.
Eagleye, you managed to pick up my eye brows?
The last three animals I shot went down with and only one walk a few steps. That big ole moose let out a grunt, arse hit the ground and the front followed. This was within a
hundred yards. I did manage to find the bullet in the chest and have it here somewhere.
I poked a buck with the same bullet, mind you I was using my 308win Ruger not the big magnum and this buck was less than a hundred also. I again found the bullet in the chest cavity. I need to dig this out as well. I shot a buck a long way off and it went down with one shot as well. This one walked a few steps. The little 308 I load IMR 4320 at about 2800fps. His big brother I use IMR 4350 and run about 2950fps. Same bullet, same result. Gravity seems to work well on fur when the trigger is pulled.
Not sure what to say on this.
Regards, Looky.
 
Ron AKA said:
For the same bullet weight, and basic design (jacketed lead core), flat based will always stabalize better than boat tails because they are shorter. But keep in mind that stabalized is more of a Yes it is, or No it is not thing. If both are stabalized then other factors will determine which is more accurate. Some believe the flat base bullet can be made more accurate, and it will shoot better at short ranges. At long ranges the boat tail drifts less in the wind, and tends to be more accurate.
Click to expand...

plus 1
 
If flat based stabilize better why do I see match grade ammo with boat tails?

I use 165gr SPBT exclusively in my Rem 700 .308. Never had a problem and wish I could show you the ragged 7 shot hole in a target with that bullet. Also I've never had to shoot a big game animal twice.
 
Tex Critter said:
If flat based stabilize better why do I see match grade ammo with boat tails? I use 165gr SPBT exclusively in my Rem 700 .308. Never had a problem and wish I could show you the ragged 7 shot hole in a target with that bullet.
Click to expand...

Have a look at these Berger specifications, and in particular the .308 Target bullets. All the bullets up to 150 grains are flat base. After that they are all boat tail. Also see that required twist for the flat base goes from a minimum of 1 in 19" to 1 in 15 for the heaviest flat base. Above that twists required keep going up.

Berger Bullet Specifications

Also the BC's are poorest for the light flat base bullets. These all perform best at short ranges because the are spinning less (and spin causes some inaccuracy), and wind is not a real big factor.

But as you go further out, then a high BC is needed to minimize the wind effect which is very significant. The high BC makes for long bullets, that need lots of spin. However the inaccuracy of the high spin is more than compensated for by the reduced sensitivity to wind.

So in the end it is just a distance trade off. Short distance you want short flat based bullets with minimal spin. Long distance, needs high BC long bullets which require lots of spin.
 
A flat base bullet will often do better than a boay tail in a poor quality barrel.

Stability has nothing to do with it. Any commercial rifle has a twist that will stabalise a 165gr conventianal bullet - flat or boattailed.

If I had your supply problem, i would look for some 180 Hornadys.
 
kamlooky said:
....
.......
I've been told the flat point bullets stabilize better than boattails with this particular caliber....truth or myth?:confused:
Cheers.
Looky.
Click to expand...

At one time many considered the flat base bullet more accurate at close range.
Today is is common to see some of the winning rifles at Bench rest competitions use boat tail bullets.

If you want a really accurate bullet try the 190 Match king and Reloader 22. ;)

Yes, you will have to adjust your sights.
 
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