Ballistic tip compared to Accubond

[DaveA37]

I have a friend who is asking if he loads with ballistic tips for target shooting/sight in, will he get the same results if he loads accubonds, all other factors being even. I advised him that he needs to shoot the new loads (accubonds) to get the actual results. He thinks the results will be the same.

Personally, I don't agree with him and hence, pass that question to all of you for confirmation.

An interesting question.....so what say the experts?

 

[HeathSexton]

My 30/06 is not even close with a 165NBT vs 165NAB. I think you are correct he needs to shoot each load to verify.

 

[Greg Nolan]

You're right! He might get by with it if he's shooting close range only and some folks consider a 4" group at a hundred or so yards good enough.
Greg

 

[russ808]

+1
Russ

 

[DrMike]

Different bullets; there's no guarantee they will have the same POI. Work up the load. You have the advantage of range time, opportunity to familiarise yourself with your rifle and assurance that your load is precise.

 

[HTDUCK]

Dave,
Real simple answer.

That trophy of a lifetime gives your buddy a crack at him.

Knowing EXACTLY where the bullet is gonna go: Priceless.

Howard

 

[Woodycreek]

One of my 308s will shoot BTs and ABs same POI. Using 49gr of Varget, Fed 210M, Win brass, 150gr BT and AB. That load will shoot .75" and has gone as small as .50" at 100 yards. Have yet to see if both will shoot same POI past 100 yards.

 

[Oldtrader3]

A couple of my rifles will shoot AB's to the same POI as BT's. The rest are close but wthin a couple of inches. This seems to be more true with the Partitions being the same as BT's, than with the Accubonds for some reason, probably ogive and bearing length.

 

[Elkman]

My 300 win mag shoots 180 grain PT slightly over 1" to the right of 180 gr Sierra Boat Tails, same height but a little right. At 120 yards my STW throws the 175 PT and the 160 AB pretty close together. I have to work with it more but will probably move up to the 175's next year if my accuracy holds up.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I have had better luck with SSTs matching ABs POI than the BTs. Go figure...

 

[jmad_81]

My 280 AI required different loads, different COAL, and has a different POI. He can practice with the BT, but he more than likely will need a different load, and have to sight in again to shoot the AB.

I wouldn't chance it.

 

[.300RUM]

Now, these are my observations, with my rifle, and based on a lifetime of experience, I don't expect any one or very many others to experience similar results...yours will likely vary...

Having said that though...my Sendero in .300RUM will put my pet load of 200gr AB's @3235 fps in a very tight group, and most 180 gr bullets @ 3300-3370 fps will print roughly 1-2" higher than POI for my 200 AB's. In addition it will print most 165 gr bullets @3450-3500 fps about 1.5-2" higher than the 180's. It does not always work with every bullet, but it will do it with most, and BT's are among the ones that will. I know this is more like regulating, but the 180 AB's and 180 BT's are in the same group of about 1" +/- @ 100 yards...

Now, not all of my rifles are this forgiving...some of them will print much farther apart. I have tried to figure out if it is the rate of twist in some barrels, or if it is some harmonic difference somewhere caused by pressure...though I have now pillar glass bedded all my rifles save for the 2 that have aluminum bedding blocks in the stock. I have come to the conclusion that some rifles are just more finicky than others...

Good luck, but the best way to figure it out is to get out and do the work.

 

[Oldtrader3]

My .280 Rem shoots 140 CT Silvertips and 160 AB's to the same POI at 100 yards but most of my rifles don't shoot diferent bullet weights to the same POI.