Boattail vs. Flat base

[jims]

Most of us shoot flat based bullets but some not with sabotless. A good article on the two in the April 2020 Guns and Ammo magazine on page 33.

[ET]

Jims

Your mention of that article must have some good info.
Sorry to say I don't get that magazine and need to ask if you could elaborate some on what was said.

Ed

[jims]

I gave the magazine away after I was finished but the photos and rapid photography showed the boattail did not seal in the bore as fast as a flat base bullet. It let gas escape ahead of it and the boattail had to go through that at the bore for 12 to 18 inches or so. The flat base had that pressure area behind the bullet.
At short ranges the flat base "might" be less disrupted and then "maybe" more accurate. Certainly the boattail at long ranges when it is no longer going faster than the speed of sound may be more stable and retain speed better.
Someone said it my be on their site as a video. I cannot link you to that.
The photos were enlightening.

[jims]

They do have something on You Tube entitled Boattail vs flat base that shows it in a video. I liked the stills in the Guns and Ammo article better and the detailed explanation. Hopefully one on this site can send you a copy of it.

[ET]

Jims

Thanks for taking the time to post this enlightening info.
I learned something new concerned about flat base versus boat tail.
Again thanks for responding to my request.

Ed

[billc]

Since I started reloading in 1976 I've seen and heard many pro and con flat base vs boat tail discussions, sermons, technicalities, wishes, hopes, and dreams. My empirical observations are I can't get one style to shoot better than the other. Ballistic calculations generally put a 30 caliber 150 gr bullet fb vs bt within 1 inch of the other at 500 yards. For me, I load boat tails because I find them easier to start in the case and to load straighter. I will try to find the article to learn more.

[sw]

Not many boat tails being used in short range BR competition (100-300 yds). For bore sized smokeless MLing, the flat based seem to obturate faster.

[edge]

Mar 4, 2020 20:35:24 GMT -5 billc said:

SNIP.
  For me, I load boat tails because I find them easier to start in the case and to load straighter.
SNIP.

Agree 100%

[dannoboone]

On quite a few occasions I have used the 245gr Spitfire, not
because of their accuracy, but due to their terminal performance.
This was woods hunting where all shots were under 100 yards. I
never was fully satisfied with the accuracy until I used wool
wads. Perhaps they helped seal better so not so much gas would
escape ahead of it. Veggie wads only made for worse accuracy.

[Richard]

I would jump in with my thoughts on this but then would have to contend with Ramblers BS....No thanks!

[tar12]

Apr 23, 2020 9:02:55 GMT -5 Richard said:

I would jump in with my thoughts on this but then would have to contend with Ramblers BS....No thanks!

Then why say anything?

[reloader22]

A long time ago, I played with the 245 and 290 gr Barnes boattail coppers in my 50 cal and they both shot really good.  As good as any flat base.  The key was to use the supplied yellow sabot which conformed to the base of the bullet perfectly.  I had subbed out the sabot on a few occations to try and get a tighter fit, I think HP12's (I could be wrong) and I had all types of failures.  I attributed it to the gaps in the boat tail area that were being filled under pressure with sabot material which may have played all kinds of  issues with the load.  Like I said, as packaged they shot really good, especially the 245's shot at very high speed with large doses of H4198.  I was just trying to do better while experimenting.  IMO, the bullet needs to be perfectly supported if using a sabot.  Flat or boat tail.  No experience with land riders so can't chime on that.

[dannoboone]

I should have explained my previous post more clearly. The
Spit Fires were knurled up close to .458 (with a knurling
tool), then pushed through a full form die. Best accuracy
was attained with wool wads.