elkaholic
Well-Known Member
I think most would agree that bullet discussions are probably one of the most popular and contoversial, topics on this forum, and for good reason. My reason for posting this this is not to pick out a brand, a best or worst, etc., but to talk about constuction and properties, and let each person decide what might be the best option for there own application. I have stated in the past that "there is no perfect bullet" but there certainly are better choices for the application. We are talking primarily hunting applications here, although much will apply to target. I will give my opinions, based on my own experience from years of hunting, testing, and making my own bullets, and I welcome input from others including some of the bullet making sponsors. I would also ask that this not turn into name callin', ($&*%@) contest, so keep it civil please! Keep in mind that this is a "Long Range Forum", so most of the comments made by me will be with this in mind. I realize that "Long range" might be anywhere from 400 to well over 1000 yards but I'm hoping that this will all be covered.
Most of my experience is with copper/alloy, lead core bullets, so I will focus mostly on them. IMO, the mono's belong only on the "short end" of the long range spectrum because of lower b.c. and expansion limitations. This doesn't rule them out completely, but there are far better choices at the ranges being addressed on this forum.
The bullet designs are more complex than can be recognized on the surface and several variables, matched up in different ways, affect the bullets performance both while in flight and upon impact. This includes, but probably isn't limited to, the following:
Pure lead and copper vs amount of alloy, bonded vs non, thickness of jacket at varying points of the bullet, point configuration i.e., (secant ogive, tangent ogive, ballistic tip, open point, meplat diameter), b.c., sectional density, frontal area and etc.
Let's start with alloy. More lead, more copper, more malleable (less brittle). Most manufactures use a copper alloy jacket primarily because pure copper jackets can not be rapidly produced without sticking in the dies. Alloys, on the other hand, reduce copper fouling. In general, pure copper and lead will tend to stay together better, all else equal. Some manufacturers use alloy in the lead to help slow expansion rather than by thickening the jacket. There is a trade off here between accuracy and acceptable expansion and weight retention. Also, lead alloys tend to"break off" easier even though it takes more force to expand them (malleability). Normally, a thinner jacket equals better accuracy but increased expansion. Bonding the jacket and core has become popular because you can get away with a little less jacket and retain more weight while maintaining the accuracy of a thinner jacket and the penetration desired. Bonding does "somewhat" limit expansion at long range, but not to a great degree. The biggest difference occurs when the non bonded sheds the jacket or simply disintegrates at high velocity. The nose configuration not only affects b.c. but also expansion characteristics. A ballistic tip will, all else equal, expand more rapidly than an open point. The tip forces back into the jacket upon impact and initiates the expansion. This is usually accentuated by the fact that ballistic tip bullets have a wider meplat at the tip/jacket junction. Most open tip bullets of the long range variety, have a very small meplat in order to raise the b.c. This can be an advantage at higher velocity for a given thickness of jacket and shape, but a disadvantage at lower velocity.
In general, the more components, or steps in the process of bullet making, the less chance for accuracy. This is why target style bullets are very simple in design and the emphasis is on balance and concentricity. i.e. no bonding, partitions, etc. Most hunting bullets, on the other hand, use thicker jackets, partitions, bonding, different alloys and etc. but are not intended to be used at some of the ranges we discuss on this forum. In a perfect world, we as long range hunters, want all of the above. Superior accuracy, high b.c., expand at low velocity and yet hold together at high velocity. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE THE VERY BEST OF ALL THESE QUALITIES IN ANY ONE BULLET, so what we do we do is try to find a combination of the most of these qualities available. This most often leads us to target style bullets because they fill most of the long range requirements but fall short of some closer range applications. It is my opinion, in general, when target style bullets are used for big game hunting, especially larger game such as elk, the heaviest available in that caliber that will shoot in your rifle are the best. The higher s.d. and more mass will be more forgiving when using these frangible bullets. This of course would also give the edge to larger calibers.
All these things that I have mentioned above are the reason that I started making my own bullets several years ago with some good success for my hunting style. I am pleased that several of the major manufacturers have stepped up to the plate for the long range crowd and I expect there will be more in the future. There is still a ways to go......Rich
Most of my experience is with copper/alloy, lead core bullets, so I will focus mostly on them. IMO, the mono's belong only on the "short end" of the long range spectrum because of lower b.c. and expansion limitations. This doesn't rule them out completely, but there are far better choices at the ranges being addressed on this forum.
The bullet designs are more complex than can be recognized on the surface and several variables, matched up in different ways, affect the bullets performance both while in flight and upon impact. This includes, but probably isn't limited to, the following:
Pure lead and copper vs amount of alloy, bonded vs non, thickness of jacket at varying points of the bullet, point configuration i.e., (secant ogive, tangent ogive, ballistic tip, open point, meplat diameter), b.c., sectional density, frontal area and etc.
Let's start with alloy. More lead, more copper, more malleable (less brittle). Most manufactures use a copper alloy jacket primarily because pure copper jackets can not be rapidly produced without sticking in the dies. Alloys, on the other hand, reduce copper fouling. In general, pure copper and lead will tend to stay together better, all else equal. Some manufacturers use alloy in the lead to help slow expansion rather than by thickening the jacket. There is a trade off here between accuracy and acceptable expansion and weight retention. Also, lead alloys tend to"break off" easier even though it takes more force to expand them (malleability). Normally, a thinner jacket equals better accuracy but increased expansion. Bonding the jacket and core has become popular because you can get away with a little less jacket and retain more weight while maintaining the accuracy of a thinner jacket and the penetration desired. Bonding does "somewhat" limit expansion at long range, but not to a great degree. The biggest difference occurs when the non bonded sheds the jacket or simply disintegrates at high velocity. The nose configuration not only affects b.c. but also expansion characteristics. A ballistic tip will, all else equal, expand more rapidly than an open point. The tip forces back into the jacket upon impact and initiates the expansion. This is usually accentuated by the fact that ballistic tip bullets have a wider meplat at the tip/jacket junction. Most open tip bullets of the long range variety, have a very small meplat in order to raise the b.c. This can be an advantage at higher velocity for a given thickness of jacket and shape, but a disadvantage at lower velocity.
In general, the more components, or steps in the process of bullet making, the less chance for accuracy. This is why target style bullets are very simple in design and the emphasis is on balance and concentricity. i.e. no bonding, partitions, etc. Most hunting bullets, on the other hand, use thicker jackets, partitions, bonding, different alloys and etc. but are not intended to be used at some of the ranges we discuss on this forum. In a perfect world, we as long range hunters, want all of the above. Superior accuracy, high b.c., expand at low velocity and yet hold together at high velocity. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE THE VERY BEST OF ALL THESE QUALITIES IN ANY ONE BULLET, so what we do we do is try to find a combination of the most of these qualities available. This most often leads us to target style bullets because they fill most of the long range requirements but fall short of some closer range applications. It is my opinion, in general, when target style bullets are used for big game hunting, especially larger game such as elk, the heaviest available in that caliber that will shoot in your rifle are the best. The higher s.d. and more mass will be more forgiving when using these frangible bullets. This of course would also give the edge to larger calibers.
All these things that I have mentioned above are the reason that I started making my own bullets several years ago with some good success for my hunting style. I am pleased that several of the major manufacturers have stepped up to the plate for the long range crowd and I expect there will be more in the future. There is still a ways to go......Rich
