HPFB or HPBT

[Bob243]

Hello,

I am still working on refining reloads for my 700 VS, after a fed aditions to the rifle like a 36x 1/8min adj. scope and a Jewell HVR trigger set to 8oz. ( I only shoot off the bench, this is not for hunting). I have factory .223 ammo grouping 5 shot groups about .400 consistantly at 100 yards (pmc 55g fmj shoot decent, but dirty as heck), My reloads are about .250 ( i tried 52g hornady match hpbt with 4895 and CCI BR primers ), however I wont give up trying different things until I have shot a group under .010. ( I used to do it with my Win 52B in the smallbore matches)

My question is I recently read on a group somewhere ( don't remember where ) that for shorter ranges (100-200 yards) HP flat bases are known to group better than HP-BT because the stabilize faster... Can anyone shed some light on this???? Is this something that has been proven or is it just a myth.

Thanks,
Bob

[labgrade]

I've heard similar things & too that BTs will wear your barrel faster, etc. Sierra reloading book pretty much dispells the latter piece of "info" re quite a few tests run by (mumble) Army testing guys - all military (rifle) bullets are boattails & no noticeable wear was seen versus flatbased.

Boattails should give you better long range ballistics (wind drift, higher BC/flatter trajectory, etc. - + higher foot pounds at the target - as a side benny) which can contribute to better accuracy. All these things are only exagerated at longer distances = not as noticeable at shorter.

Seems from what I've read/heard = depends on your rifle & what it likes most.

I shoot Sierra 53 Matchkings in .22-250 - the rifle doesn't like the 52s nearly as much - both HP BTs but 1 grain difference = go figure.

May be that yours may favor a bit larger flatbase over a just smaller BT. No way to tell w/o shooting = part o' the deal.

[Bob243]

labgrade, Thanks for the info.... I picked up a box last night, and If I ever get another day off , I will have to give them a try.....

thanks again,
Bob