why 52 and 53 grain sierras?

[brenden270]

I have shot hundreds of 52 grain bullets of different varieties out of several different .22 centerfires and I have a few excellent handloads for all of the calibers I have loaded for. With the recent bullet, primer, powder shortages I was left with 53 grain sierras as my only option. I have never tried these before and I can't see them shooting any better or worse than the 52's. My question is why would sierra manufacture two bullets with only one grain of weight difference? Is there any real world difference between them? There must be a technical reason for the existence of a 53 grain bullet? I shoot with guys who use them and they can offer no valid reasons as to why they shoot them over 52's. Anybody have some insight?


Brenden

 

[brnolvr]

Simple, 52s are Boat tails and 53s are Flat base.

Your rifle will tell you which one it prefers.

 

[manitou210]

The 52gr MK base is .208" its a slight boatail bullet, the 53gr are flat base .224 at base
seems that a lot of benchrest shooters prefer the flat base bullets

 

[brenden270]

Geez! I even examined the profiles of the bullets on 6mmbr.com and totally missed that. Jackass! Thanks guys for answering my stupid question!

Brenden

 

[bigstickpilot]

BT vs FB

it is said that the boat-tail is a benefit after the bullet transitions to sub-sonic velocity. While supersonic, it is the flat base which has lower drag. Often, you don't get a choice once you've selected a weight.