.224 vld bullets, benefits?

Shadow9mm · March 25, 2016, 06:42 PM

Is there any real benefit to the high BC .224 bullets. I know that compared to a basic FMJ there is a lot to gain, but for the 68-70g vs the 75-77 it seems like a loss. Here are the number I came up with. I used Hodgins load data from their site for the weights to get starting velocity(varget powder). I used Hornadays site for the trajectories. By my calculations between the high BC bullets there is minimal difference the only thing I am seeing is the heavier bullets have more drop, 20-40in more, while mostly preserving the same energy is within 5 ftlb. I know higher BC will also help with wind drift but is going from .243 to a .355 going to make that much of a difference?

------------------------BC--muzzle---yds--fps--ftlb-drop-yds--vel--ftlb-drop
55g FMJ,-------------.243--3000-----300-1943-461-8.4 / 800-969-156-283

68g hornady OTM---.355--2800-----300-2080-653-8.5 / 800-1198-217-220
70g berger vld------.374--2800-----300-2113-694-8.3 / 800-1248-235-210

75g hornady OTM---.395--2600-----300-1975-650-9.7 / 800-1201-218-239
75g Berger VLD-----.421--2600-----300-2011-674-9.5 / 800-1256-238-263

mtlucas0311 · March 26, 2016, 12:07 PM

It depends what rifle you're shooting and how far. If it's a stock carbine with a factory barrel out to a few hundred yards...pry not. If it's a match rifle with a Kreiger barrel at the 600, yes it is. It's not just about ballistic calculators, the Berger VLD's (for example) are extremely consistent and shoot as well or better in most of my match rifles than even other top end match bullets from Sierra, Hornady, and Nosler.

Jimro · March 26, 2016, 08:56 PM

Do the calculations for wind drift, it really shows the benefits of VLD bullets.

The "drop" is a factor of initial velocity, atmospheric resistance and gravity. Even in 30 cal you end up having a hard time justifying match bullets if you only look at drop and energy remaining. But you won't win too many matches with M80 ball on a gusty day shooting at 600 if an equally skilled shooter is launching M118LR.

Jimro

March 25, 2016, 06:42 PM	#1
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 4,043	.224 vld bullets, benefits? Is there any real benefit to the high BC .224 bullets. I know that compared to a basic FMJ there is a lot to gain, but for the 68-70g vs the 75-77 it seems like a loss. Here are the number I came up with. I used Hodgins load data from their site for the weights to get starting velocity(varget powder). I used Hornadays site for the trajectories. By my calculations between the high BC bullets there is minimal difference the only thing I am seeing is the heavier bullets have more drop, 20-40in more, while mostly preserving the same energy is within 5 ftlb. I know higher BC will also help with wind drift but is going from .243 to a .355 going to make that much of a difference? ------------------------BC--muzzle---yds--fps--ftlb-drop-yds--vel--ftlb-drop 55g FMJ,-------------.243--3000-----300-1943-461-8.4 / 800-969-156-283 68g hornady OTM---.355--2800-----300-2080-653-8.5 / 800-1198-217-220 70g berger vld------.374--2800-----300-2113-694-8.3 / 800-1248-235-210 75g hornady OTM---.395--2600-----300-1975-650-9.7 / 800-1201-218-239 75g Berger VLD-----.421--2600-----300-2011-674-9.5 / 800-1256-238-263

March 26, 2016, 12:07 PM	#2
mtlucas0311 Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: Shelby Township MI Posts: 125	It depends what rifle you're shooting and how far. If it's a stock carbine with a factory barrel out to a few hundred yards...pry not. If it's a match rifle with a Kreiger barrel at the 600, yes it is. It's not just about ballistic calculators, the Berger VLD's (for example) are extremely consistent and shoot as well or better in most of my match rifles than even other top end match bullets from Sierra, Hornady, and Nosler.

March 26, 2016, 08:56 PM	#3
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Do the calculations for wind drift, it really shows the benefits of VLD bullets. The "drop" is a factor of initial velocity, atmospheric resistance and gravity. Even in 30 cal you end up having a hard time justifying match bullets if you only look at drop and energy remaining. But you won't win too many matches with M80 ball on a gusty day shooting at 600 if an equally skilled shooter is launching M118LR. Jimro