Tumbling bullets in the AR-15 - Page 2

kraigwy · June 24, 2017, 08:34 AM

I've had bullets tumble. When they hit something and are deflected.

I've shot 168 SMKs at 1000 yards. They become unstable at that distances and some tumble.

I've tried to push 525 Gr. 45-70 too fast and with hard lead and had them tumble trying to shoot Creedmoor matches at 800-900 and 1000 yards.

I've had cast 308 bullets tumble when I sized them too small, sized to 308 instead of .311.

I've had bullets tumble for no reason I could explain. I just wrote it off as Gremlins, or like others, I just blamed the Russians.

I've shot thousands up on thousands of M193 Ball (55 gr fmj) bullets out of M16A1s, Colt SP1, and Remington 700 223 (all with 1:12 twist). I don't recall any of them tumbling. I don't know, They could have, if they hit brush or something and were deflected.

But they sure as heck wasn't designed to tumble.

June 24, 2017, 08:34 AM	#26
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I've had bullets tumble. When they hit something and are deflected. I've shot 168 SMKs at 1000 yards. They become unstable at that distances and some tumble. I've tried to push 525 Gr. 45-70 too fast and with hard lead and had them tumble trying to shoot Creedmoor matches at 800-900 and 1000 yards. I've had cast 308 bullets tumble when I sized them too small, sized to 308 instead of .311. I've had bullets tumble for no reason I could explain. I just wrote it off as Gremlins, or like others, I just blamed the Russians. I've shot thousands up on thousands of M193 Ball (55 gr fmj) bullets out of M16A1s, Colt SP1, and Remington 700 223 (all with 1:12 twist). I don't recall any of them tumbling. I don't know, They could have, if they hit brush or something and were deflected. But they sure as heck wasn't designed to tumble. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071