What do you think? Is it worth doing for long range target shooting and or hunting?
Bullet Pointing Die, Bullet Tipping Die, Meplat Trimmer
joseph
Bullet Pointing Die, Bullet Tipping Die, Meplat Trimmer
joseph
Meplat trimming & bullet tipping?
- Thread starter joseph
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The very limited benefit of meplat trimming is of little consequence for hunting bullets. I shoot long range competition and often trim VLD meplats. Doing this will result in slight loss of BC. I have seen no improvement in accuracy. I do not yet point bullets. Guys who do point bullets tell me they can see very little difference. I am reluctant to keep spending $$ on gadgets that are not effective. You need to decide.
Mikecr
Well-Known Member
Always amazing to read generalizations about hunting needs, as though LESS than for competition....
Hunting, espescially when it involves long range shooting, demands far more attention to details to be successful. Hunting shots require REAL accuracy,, without sighters, foulers, barrel temp stabilization, wind flags, benches, benchrests, stools, and with guns that can be carried & fired from any condition required to meet the challenge -at any abstract range.
ONE SHOT
Now, what anyone competing and actually representing competition should be aware of, is that the devil in LR shooting is WIND DRIFT VARIANCE.
This is the ultimate variable in long range shooting, and it's what provides potential in bullet uniforming.
Meplats have a large affect on BC, which has a large affect on wind drift. Shooters cannot consistently account for wind drift, so reducing every variable possible(other than actual wind) is a worthy endeavor. It can extend your single shot accuracy range, regardless of what competitors think about it...
Hunting, espescially when it involves long range shooting, demands far more attention to details to be successful. Hunting shots require REAL accuracy,, without sighters, foulers, barrel temp stabilization, wind flags, benches, benchrests, stools, and with guns that can be carried & fired from any condition required to meet the challenge -at any abstract range.
ONE SHOT
Now, what anyone competing and actually representing competition should be aware of, is that the devil in LR shooting is WIND DRIFT VARIANCE.
This is the ultimate variable in long range shooting, and it's what provides potential in bullet uniforming.
Meplats have a large affect on BC, which has a large affect on wind drift. Shooters cannot consistently account for wind drift, so reducing every variable possible(other than actual wind) is a worthy endeavor. It can extend your single shot accuracy range, regardless of what competitors think about it...
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
For long range hunting, bullet tipping can make a significant difference, depending on which bullet you are tipping of course. Benefits are higher b.c. , better, and more consistent, expansion at lower velocities (long range). As far as accuracy goes there probably isn't much difference providing you have uniformity. Having said that, it is easier to hit a long range target with a higher b.c. bullet........Rich
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
You can enhance the expansion of an SMK by drilling the tip out 1/2 the meplat diameter and filling the void with silicone......Rich
The reason I started this thread is because I have shot 5 shot groups at 400 yds as small as 1.5" and 1.75" but not consistent, but my average the other day was larger. I shot five 5 shot groups which measures 2.0", 2.375", 2.375" 2.25" and another one that was 1" for four shots and one flier which gave the group a total measurement of 2.25".
I was hoping that if I did trim the meplat and tipped the bullets I could get more consistent groups down under 2 inches. For me that is a lot of $$$ if it probably won't help.
What do you think?
joseph
PS: I am shooting a 6mm Norma BR. with 105 gr. Berger VLDs, CCI BR4s and Varget just touching the lands.
I was hoping that if I did trim the meplat and tipped the bullets I could get more consistent groups down under 2 inches. For me that is a lot of $$$ if it probably won't help.
What do you think?
joseph
PS: I am shooting a 6mm Norma BR. with 105 gr. Berger VLDs, CCI BR4s and Varget just touching the lands.
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CRNA
Well-Known Member
How do you do that and keep them all the same? How deep do you drill them out? Interesting since SMKs are what I shoot.
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
You need some kind of vice to hold the bullet consistently without deforming it. Drill just through the jacket and not into the lead. You will have to experiment to get the depth right. Once you do, drill to the same depth each time. Fill the void to the tip with silicone. The weight should not be much different than before drilling. If the bullet still doesn't expand to your liking, use a slightly larger bit size. The idea is to thin the jacket nose and the silicone will start the expansion of the tip as well as replace the weight and smooth things up a bit......Rich
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CRNA
Well-Known Member
Thanks!
I just now found this most interesting article by Byron Litz re meplat trimming. It reinforces my thinking on the subject.
Homepage of Bryan Litz - A Bravenet.com Hosted Site
Homepage of Bryan Litz - A Bravenet.com Hosted Site
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
VERY good read! I found this to be true when I tested some of my bullets WITH and WITHOUT, ballistic tips. They were 195 grain .308 8s spitzers. The original meplat was as tight as I could squeeze down my dies. I didn't measure the meplat at the time (wish I would have) but it was considerable, probably over .100"? I then added a sharp pointed tip and fired away at 950 yds. The difference in group height was over 20"! Made a believer out of me
.......Rich
I have shot more 142 SMK's than Brian Lutz will ever shoot and for the most part I agree with what he said. The point up die I use (Speedy built it) is more effective that just trimming the Meplat in my experience. Vertical is BAD for 1K BR shooters and I prep my bullets for sporters the same way IF they are going to be used primarily at 500 yards or more. Just like sorting bullets by bearing surface for sporters---I like to use the same process every time because the sporters are built the same way and the same person who builds my competition rifles. I makes sense that if my reamer cut the chambers for both the sporter and competition rifle and the dies were also made with the same reamers then there will be very little variable in my loading process which is a good thing.
The biggest benefactor in trimming Meplats that I personally have found is the big 338 SMK's. In my 338 Slowpoke it made a 4-5 inch difference in vertical ---- I only take off the very Minimum necessary because as Brian discussed BC is important. THE MOST important thing is consistency in your process which includes ammo to bag manners so that the end item product will be the same every time---a hit, albeit an x ring or a prairie dog LOL!!
The biggest benefactor in trimming Meplats that I personally have found is the big 338 SMK's. In my 338 Slowpoke it made a 4-5 inch difference in vertical ---- I only take off the very Minimum necessary because as Brian discussed BC is important. THE MOST important thing is consistency in your process which includes ammo to bag manners so that the end item product will be the same every time---a hit, albeit an x ring or a prairie dog LOL!!
