What is a high velocity bullet?

[FEENIX]

I saw a thread where a poster used the statement "high-velocity bullet X" without explanation. So rather than hijack the thread and make it controversial unnecessarily, I figure I would start a separate thread with informational and civil dialogue with the LRH community; we all know the rules. I think I know what the poster means, but we have a lot of new members new to reloading and LRH/S that can benefit from it. What does a high-velocity bullet mean? We all know that solids can be driven to higher/faster velocities than the cup and core bullets. Current solid bullet designs require higher minimum impact velocities than a cup and core bullets.

I pretty much laid out my definition of a high-velocity bullet, but I am more interested in your take on the subject matter. Cheers!

@Petey308

 

[Muddyboots]

Anything that @ButterBean shoots?

 

[xsn10s]

Without seeing the original post I can only discern that means a bullet that is going at a "high velocity". Vague at best, it needs to be in context. It wouldn't be a term I would use to describe a bullet.

 

[Lapuatom]

Sounds like a relative statement.

 

[jessej]

Sounds like a relative statement.

My thoughts as well.

 

[jessej]

I believe most rimfire manufacturers call their ammo "high velocity " at 1200 fps or greater.

But if we load a 308 win at 1200 fps, no one would call it high velocity.

 

[Rick Richard]

A High Velocity bullet is a bullet going really really fast.…not slow. Lol.

This post will be fun, but I give up since this definition could be so subjective.

 

[jessej]

A High Velocity bullet is a bullet going really really fast.…not slow. Lol.

Nailed it!

 

[Muddyboots]

This is the whole point that the High Velocity term is used loosely but can anyone of us actually "define" it?

I have sat here wondering exactly what High Velocity is and I dunno.

@Rick Richard "really really fast" is about as close as I can come as well. Or maybe really really really fast? Its a conundrum for sure.

Thanks @FEENIX , I will probably be laying in bed tonight at 2AM still wondering.

 

[ShootMo]

I think the only way that one can reign that phrase in at all would be to suggest a bullet that is on the edge of it's velocity threshold for it's intended design.

In hunting, it suggests something like a Nosler partition at say.....3300-3500 fps. Maybe a monolithic at 3600-4000fps.

Other than anecdotal ranges in speed like that, I got nuttin.

 

[jpfrog]

My brain immediately goes to expansion. But then it also goes to durable construction. For expansion, I think of HV as needing more speed to reliably expand…so likely better suited for close to mid range work.

But for durability, I think of a bullet designed to hold up to speeds above 3k fps and fast twist rates so they aren't deforming in flight. Similar to what the Hornady switch from Amax to ELD-M/X series did with the more durable tips, or the Nosler Accubond LR series.

I don't know, I am just describing where my brain goes when I hear the term.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I saw a thread where a poster used the statement "high-velocity bullet X" without explanation. So rather than hijack the thread and make it controversial unnecessarily, I figure I would start a separate thread with informational and civil dialogue with the LRH community; we all know the rules. I think I know what the poster means, but we have a lot of new members new to reloading and LRH/S that can benefit from it. What does a high-velocity bullet mean? We all know that solids can be driven to higher/faster velocities than the cup and core bullets. Current solid bullet designs require higher minimum impact velocities than a cup and core bullets.

I pretty much laid out my definition of a high-velocity bullet, but I am more interested in your take on the subject matter. Cheers!

@Petey308

What is your definition of high velocity?

What is your definition of higher minimum impact vel than cup and core?

Can solids be driven faster? Maybe some can.

 

[xsn10s]

Thanks @FEENIX , I will probably be laying in bed tonight at 2AM still wondering.

For when your up at 2 AM.

 

[asd9055]

High velocity bullet, to me there need to be more qualifiers such as:
1. High velocity for caliber, 45 ACP @ greater than 1200 FPS?
2. High velocity for bullet type? (solids, cup&core, partitions)
3.
4.
Fill in more qualifiers, otherwise, it is open to interpretation