From: Gale McMillanNewsgroups: rec.guns Subject: Re: Boat tail Bullets Date: 16 Nov 1997 14:12:37 -0500 Gregory Garland wrote: # Bartbob wrote in message <64g6nb$nkh@xring.cs.umd.edu>... # #Few hunters will notice any difference between boattail and flat base bullets # # up through 300 to 400 yards. The difference in trajectory is usually much # # less than the accuracy level attained. Besides, flat base bullets may well # # shoot more accurately in factory barrels anyway. # # Have read that flat base bullets are supposed to be somewhat more accurate # generally. Something about the way the bullet exits the muzzle has a way of # more cleanly deflecting muzzle blast so that it doesn't get "kicked" causing # bullet yaw, and potential funnel type flight path. # # That said, I use boat tails exclusively for the added b.c. and drift # factors. # # Regards, # Greg. # # If you consider the way a boat tail bullet is made you will understand that it is an impossibility for the tail of the bullet to be inline with the body. If the tail is formed in the upper punch it will always be off by half the amount of the clearance between punch and die. If it is made in the lower punch it will be a wider tolerance since there is more clearance in the lower punch. With the tail of the bullet being off center by at least 1/2 a ten thousands keeps the bullet from flying true. That is the reason you don't see them used in competition (BR that is) We will hear a loud cry from long range shooters and all I can say is the ability to lay on ones belly and shoot 1/10 moa is an impossibility so they can get away with using them since the error factor is still smaller than the shooters ability. There was a remark made above about a flat base shooting better in a factory barrel and I will change that and say any barrel! My favorite saying is the records speak for its self. Show me a national benchrest record shot with a boat tail bullet. One thing that clouds the issue is that no high power match bullets are made with a flat base so they can only be compared with custom match bullets made with flat bases of which there are few. I will say that the small amount of loss of accuracy is off set by the ability to overcome conditions due to decreased flight time at ranges of 600 and beyond.