Whidden Bullet Pointing System
- Thread starter FTRRookie
- Start date
I guess it depends who you ask. I know some of the guys who shoot at Connaught have noticed a marked improvement in their elevation at 800 & 900m with pointed bullets, and it got me curious.
I know it's an option but if I can buy it for the same money from somebody in Canada I'd rather do that. I also figured I might be able to get it cheaper, as I can't recall ever paying the $US MSRP for any reloading equipment.
I'll check Sinclair though if I strike out because I do need to order some other things from them anyway.
if you do get it post a test in here! or I will ban you!!!
The only way to find out if pointing will help is to try it and see. I have found pointing to only help with VLD's and then only if you are careful. I had a significant benefit with pointing Matrix Ballistic 190gn 7mm VLD bullets (See below). I also tried pointing Matrix Ballistic 175gn 6.8mm VLD bullets and did not see much of a benefit. I used the Whidden system.
In the pictures below you will see two groups shot by randomly selecting brass that was already prepared with identical powder loads. I used 5 pointed bullets and 5 unpointed bullets. I fired both strings at the center of a presighted target. I shot a single string and did not make any corrections for wind changes, hence my only concern is the vertical distance of the point of impact from the target centre. Strings were shot accross a chrony, there was no velocity difference 20 ft from the muzzle. In the second pic (unpointed) the 3 unmarked holes are from a previous string.
Distance was 300 meters.
Pointed
Unpointed
juanvaldez
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sudbury, Ontario
I am the Canadian Whidden stock distributor. If you have trouble getting it let me know. Im sure sinclair will ship though.
Cheers
Cheers
Thanks for the offer Sean. If you can get me a price on it I may prefer to get it through you since I'm already in to you for the action work and barrel. That way I've only got one large purchase to hide!
Scott
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
I can offer the system made by Bench Source.
Just a word of caution, some thin jacketed VLD bullets can distort during the pointing process. ALL pointing systems by design MUST have a slight gap in the support sleeve, bullet and pointer.
This gap is in the thou or two range but it is there and if the jacket is thin and/or pointing force needed "high", there is a chance the jacket will bulge. Now you have either fat bullets or out of round bullets.
I did point for a short period of time but found my results wanting so decided to leave well enough alone.
I also do not trim meplats or try and modify the bullet in any way. I am paying for premium match bullets and that is how they should get to me out of the box.
Otherwise, I use another product or Lot.
With the better bullets, you can tune your load to get rid of vertical at LR. I find this to be far more predictable and repeatable. When I weigh my powder to tight tolerance, I can "see" that all is well (unless my scale is not working).
As was mentioned, some like pointing, some don't. The tools are available. Just keep an eye out for collateral issues.
I feel that if you shoot Sierras, pointing will be most beneficial AND they are the least likely to have any jacket issues.
I would be more careful with the thin Berger VLD jackets. Their meplates tend to be well controlled and smaller to start.
YMMV.
Jerry
Just a word of caution, some thin jacketed VLD bullets can distort during the pointing process. ALL pointing systems by design MUST have a slight gap in the support sleeve, bullet and pointer.
This gap is in the thou or two range but it is there and if the jacket is thin and/or pointing force needed "high", there is a chance the jacket will bulge. Now you have either fat bullets or out of round bullets.
I did point for a short period of time but found my results wanting so decided to leave well enough alone.
I also do not trim meplats or try and modify the bullet in any way. I am paying for premium match bullets and that is how they should get to me out of the box.
Otherwise, I use another product or Lot.
With the better bullets, you can tune your load to get rid of vertical at LR. I find this to be far more predictable and repeatable. When I weigh my powder to tight tolerance, I can "see" that all is well (unless my scale is not working).
As was mentioned, some like pointing, some don't. The tools are available. Just keep an eye out for collateral issues.
I feel that if you shoot Sierras, pointing will be most beneficial AND they are the least likely to have any jacket issues.
I would be more careful with the thin Berger VLD jackets. Their meplates tend to be well controlled and smaller to start.
YMMV.
Jerry
