boat tail or flat base bullets ? - Page 2

Clark · June 12, 2012, 02:18 PM

To me the boat tail bullet slows down less from air resistance than flat base.
That means more energy on the target, less trajectory compensation, and less wind compensation.

Jim Watson · June 12, 2012, 02:30 PM

I used to think the boattail was for better subsonic performance but after doing the shooting, the real advantage is that its higher ballistic coefficient keeps it supersonic to longer range. If you are shooting so far that your bullets end up subsonic, you have a whole 'nother set of problems.

paperpounder · June 12, 2012, 04:24 PM

Interesting thread, you guys are good.

I don't reload but just ordered 5 boxes of Hornady Btsp custom .243 from Palmetto mostly due to price and the free shipping.

Most of my shots are under 100 yards but upon reading reviews, it seems like nice ammo and I was wondering what the pro or cons of boattail ammo happened to be.

tahoe2 · June 16, 2012, 01:34 AM

I shoot both. I believe boattails take over about 250 yards plus, but in my shooting out to 300 yards I haven't noticed a difference.

Guybo · June 16, 2012, 07:17 AM

I've loaded and shot both and really can't tell any difference in performance on game and don't think the average shooter/hunter will either. When it comes to on game performance the bullets construction is what seperates one bullet from another IMO. Either will work fine just use what ever shoots the most accurate in your rifle. I will say that flat base bullets have always seemed to be a little more accurate for me with the rifles that i've owned and loaded for over the years so that's all that i use now a days.

Rangefinder · June 16, 2012, 09:46 AM

All right, I'll admit it. The Boat Tail has one very distinct advantage over the Flat Base no matter what range you're shooting. It's a heck of a lot easier to seat when you're sitting at the press.

June 12, 2012, 02:18 PM	#26
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 1,979	To me the boat tail bullet slows down less from air resistance than flat base. That means more energy on the target, less trajectory compensation, and less wind compensation. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

June 16, 2012, 07:17 AM	#30
Guybo Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Location: NC Posts: 48	I've loaded and shot both and really can't tell any difference in performance on game and don't think the average shooter/hunter will either. When it comes to on game performance the bullets construction is what seperates one bullet from another IMO. Either will work fine just use what ever shoots the most accurate in your rifle. I will say that flat base bullets have always seemed to be a little more accurate for me with the rifles that i've owned and loaded for over the years so that's all that i use now a days. __________________ Life's Tough......God's Good......Pray Hard! Last edited by Guybo; June 16, 2012 at 07:23 AM.

June 16, 2012, 09:46 AM	#31
Rangefinder Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Posts: 1,915	All right, I'll admit it. The Boat Tail has one very distinct advantage over the Flat Base no matter what range you're shooting. It's a heck of a lot easier to seat when you're sitting at the press. __________________ "Why is is called Common Sense when it seems so few actually possess it?" Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Politicians.

June 12, 2012, 02:30 PM	#27
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 9,673	I used to think the boattail was for better subsonic performance but after doing the shooting, the real advantage is that its higher ballistic coefficient keeps it supersonic to longer range. If you are shooting so far that your bullets end up subsonic, you have a whole 'nother set of problems.

June 12, 2012, 04:24 PM	#28
paperpounder Member Join Date: March 15, 2012 Posts: 48	Interesting thread, you guys are good. I don't reload but just ordered 5 boxes of Hornady Btsp custom .243 from Palmetto mostly due to price and the free shipping. Most of my shots are under 100 yards but upon reading reviews, it seems like nice ammo and I was wondering what the pro or cons of boattail ammo happened to be.

June 16, 2012, 01:34 AM	#29
tahoe2 Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2011 Location: Seattle area Posts: 376	I shoot both. I believe boattails take over about 250 yards plus, but in my shooting out to 300 yards I haven't noticed a difference.