Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
Articles
Latest reviews
Author list
Classifieds
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
Barrel twist and length?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="benchracer" data-source="post: 1016388" data-attributes="member: 22069"><p>I have a 1/9 .223 (actually 5.56 NATO chamber) bolt action. I have shot both the 75 grain BTHP and 75 grain AMAX at an altitude of approx. 1000ft and down to temps around 50 degrees. The 75 grain BTHP is short enough that it stabilizes reliably from a 9 twist. The longer 75 grain AMAX stabilizes, as well, but is less likely to be stable under all conditions. The colder the temp, and the lower the altitude, the less stable it will be. Bullet length, rather than simply bullet weight, has the major effect on stability.</p><p> </p><p>Some BTHP match bullets work just fine in hunting applications. People experimenting with Berger Match bullets discovered that they were excellent hunting bullets some years ago, resulting in the Berger Hunting line of bullets. The chief variable in the Berger line is jacket thickness. Most other manufacturers put disclaimers on their match bullets, because they were not specifically designed as hunting bullets. That does not mean that they will not work, however, but some experimentation/research on a case-by-case basis would be a good idea. Some match bullets have a reputation for being harder than others.</p><p> </p><p>The Hornady AMAX, though it is a match bullet, has a good reputation for violent expansion down to fairly low impact velocities. Really, though, if you are a die-hard head shooter, I fail to see where terminal performance of a bullet will matter to the outcome. Even an FMJ will do the job if placed in the head. Either you empty the cranium or you don't. Pure shot placement. The only exception I could see with a head shot might be surface blowup of a varmint bullet at high velocity.</p><p> </p><p>Realize that the behind the shoulder shot is often referred to as the "meat saver" shot. Going through the ribs as it does, very little meat is lost even to a destructive shot. I have yet to lose ANY meat (other than that taken by the bullet diameter hole) taking my game in this manner, even at close range. Shooting THROUGH the shoulder is another matter entirely. In either case, I view meat loss as more a result of bullet selection and impact velocity than anything else. A lot of people have been sold on light for caliber bullets at high velocity. IMO, THAT is the cause of more lost meat than any other factor.</p><p> </p><p>Every year, I see poorly hit deer in sufficient numbers in the eastern woods to really **** me off. Most of them are the result of poor marksmanship and poor preparation. I know some guys who are excellent woodsman, but are not proficient with their rifles. Just convincing them to zero or confirm the zero on their rifles prior to the season is often a losing argument.</p><p> </p><p>Even if I disagree with someone's choice of shot placement, I am not inclined to argue with someone who is sufficiently dialed in to take their chosen shot and can do it on demand in the field. I do not believe the majority of wounded game to be the result of poor shot selection. Rather, poor shot placement resulting from a low skill level has been the typical cause IME.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="benchracer, post: 1016388, member: 22069"] I have a 1/9 .223 (actually 5.56 NATO chamber) bolt action. I have shot both the 75 grain BTHP and 75 grain AMAX at an altitude of approx. 1000ft and down to temps around 50 degrees. The 75 grain BTHP is short enough that it stabilizes reliably from a 9 twist. The longer 75 grain AMAX stabilizes, as well, but is less likely to be stable under all conditions. The colder the temp, and the lower the altitude, the less stable it will be. Bullet length, rather than simply bullet weight, has the major effect on stability. Some BTHP match bullets work just fine in hunting applications. People experimenting with Berger Match bullets discovered that they were excellent hunting bullets some years ago, resulting in the Berger Hunting line of bullets. The chief variable in the Berger line is jacket thickness. Most other manufacturers put disclaimers on their match bullets, because they were not specifically designed as hunting bullets. That does not mean that they will not work, however, but some experimentation/research on a case-by-case basis would be a good idea. Some match bullets have a reputation for being harder than others. The Hornady AMAX, though it is a match bullet, has a good reputation for violent expansion down to fairly low impact velocities. Really, though, if you are a die-hard head shooter, I fail to see where terminal performance of a bullet will matter to the outcome. Even an FMJ will do the job if placed in the head. Either you empty the cranium or you don't. Pure shot placement. The only exception I could see with a head shot might be surface blowup of a varmint bullet at high velocity. Realize that the behind the shoulder shot is often referred to as the "meat saver" shot. Going through the ribs as it does, very little meat is lost even to a destructive shot. I have yet to lose ANY meat (other than that taken by the bullet diameter hole) taking my game in this manner, even at close range. Shooting THROUGH the shoulder is another matter entirely. In either case, I view meat loss as more a result of bullet selection and impact velocity than anything else. A lot of people have been sold on light for caliber bullets at high velocity. IMO, THAT is the cause of more lost meat than any other factor. Every year, I see poorly hit deer in sufficient numbers in the eastern woods to really **** me off. Most of them are the result of poor marksmanship and poor preparation. I know some guys who are excellent woodsman, but are not proficient with their rifles. Just convincing them to zero or confirm the zero on their rifles prior to the season is often a losing argument. Even if I disagree with someone's choice of shot placement, I am not inclined to argue with someone who is sufficiently dialed in to take their chosen shot and can do it on demand in the field. I do not believe the majority of wounded game to be the result of poor shot selection. Rather, poor shot placement resulting from a low skill level has been the typical cause IME. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
Barrel twist and length?
Top