Boat tail VS flat base....is one generally more accurate

[Blkram]

In simple terms, a flat base is subjected to equal amounts of the pressure of the expanding gases on the base of the bullet in the barrel of the rifle, while a boat tailed bullet will allow some of the expanding gases to put pressure on the sides of the base of the bullet. How this may affect the accuracy of a bullet seems to be just part of the equation. There are too many other variables to consider to make a statement such as "one is more accurate than the other"...i.e. bullet diameter, barrel groove and rifling diameters, consistency in reloading practices and components, etc.
It will all come down to the particular rifle and load combination as to the bullet type that provides more accuracy. At the end of the day, shoot the bullet/load combination that provides the best accuracy in your rifle, at the ranges that you intend to shoot.
I recall a gun writer stating in the past that the effects of the boat tailed bullet help reduce drag and improve the ballistic coefficient of a bullet, but cannot be fully realized unless shooting longer ranges, as in over 300 yards. At shorter ranges, under 300 yards, the ballistic advantages of the boat tailed bullet are not realized and therefore wasted. Must be something to it, as the results cited in Guy Miner's response indicate.
I have a 270 Wby that really shoots well with lighter weight flat based bullets, while my 7 STW shoots tiny little groups with heavier boat tailed bullets. While I've never really shot anything at long range with the Wby, I have with the 7 STW, and both bullets performed well on the game harvested, regardless of the range.
If one type of bullet shoots better than the other and provides the desired results on the intended target, then use it and enjoy!

 

[bullet]

My most accurate loads have been boat tail and I guess I have worked with a few rifles, bullets and cartridges through the years and posted quit a few of them on this forum from time to time.

 

[Wincheringen]

The only thing that can be said 'generally' is that flat base bullets are easier to shoot well. Boat tail bullets are more accurate when you find the exact happy spot.

 

[bullet]

The only thing that can be said 'generally' is that flat base bullets are easier to shoot well. Boat tail bullets are more accurate when you find the exact happy spot.

+ ONE - I agree, that is how it has worked out for years and is the reality.

 

[Vince]

The only thing that can be said 'generally' is that flat base bullets are easier to shoot well. Boat tail bullets are more accurate when you find the exact happy spot.

This makes me want to revisit the boat tail loads in my 25/06 and try working them up again. So far I only have three mid-weight loads that are flat based worked up.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I only own one rifle that has a custom barrel (a Douglas) and the balance of my rifles, except the Pre 64 Model 70 are hammer forged and tend to shoot flat based bullets a little more accurately. My sole custom, Douglas barrel does not care what you shoot in it. It is accurate with all good bullets.

 

[bullet]

All of my factory rifles that I have owned (41 factory made) would shoot after load work was done the boat tail more accurately and of course my customs and high quality rifles like the M48 TGR, Weatherby Mark V's and some others shot the boat tail more accurately after load work was finished.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Oh Lord, I have no idea how many rifle I have owned? I have owned at least (28) Model 70's, (12) Model 94 variants, (3) Sako's, (5) Browning's, (2) Husqvarna's, (4) other Mauser's et cetera, over 50 years.

 

[bullet]

Oh Lord, I have no idea how many rifle I have owned? I have owned at least (28) Model 70's, (12) Model 94 variants, (3) Sako's, (5) Browning's, (2) Husqvarna's, (4) other Mauser's et cetera, over 50 years.

It is not the rifles but the extensive load work that bears the fruit and proves the point about the boat tail, but not trying convince you, because I don't think I could, just stating what has happened and that most of those who have done extremely extensive load work know to be true.

 

[Guy Miner]

Quite possibly the tightest 3-shot, 100 yard group I've fired. Used the 210 gr Berger VLD (a boat tail) from the .300 WSM Model 70...



Somehow I don't think I would have done any better with flat-base bullets.

No, I've never shot that rifle, that well, again. A fluke. Figure I must have flinched just right to put 'em all in the same hole, and doggone, I never did hit the aiming point!

Typically this load produces about a 1.5" group at 300 yards, with that rifle.

Guy

 

[bullet]

Quite possibly the tightest 3-shot, 100 yard group I've fired. Used the 210 gr Berger VLD (a boat tail) from the .300 WSM Model 70...


Somehow I don't think I would have done any better with flat-base bullets.

No, I've never shot that rifle, that well, again. A fluke. Figure I must have flinched just right to put 'em all in the same hole, and doggone, I never did hit the aiming point!

Typically this load produces about a 1.5" group at 300 yards, with that rifle.

Guy

As you know Guy I have done this pretty often with factory and custom rifles. None of my groups like this are flat base bullets. Good shooting Guy!

 

[russ808]

Good shooting Guy. Looks like minute of eye lash.
Russ

 

[longrangehunter]

Nice shooting either way Guy. I've had that happen to me as well? Wondered if I mixed up the powder charge somehow?

The Army went on to use Boat Tail bullets to save on barrel life if memory serves me well. Which for a 5.56 NATO is a mute point, but would give the little pills an advantage out past 300 yards.

Hope you're feeling better?

 

[hubcap]

As I recall I can,t really say any of the calibers I shoot have shown any real preference for boatails or flat base bullets. They both work great for me with proper load workup. I do recall one exception to this using hornady 165 and 180 BTSP,s. My 30:06 hated those bullets with the long and radicall boattail. Never overcomed the issue. However my 300 win mag shot the same bullets great.

 

[BeeTee]

Quite possibly the tightest 3-shot, 100 yard group I've fired. Used the 210 gr Berger VLD (a boat tail) from the .300 WSM Model 70...

No, I've never shot that rifle, that well, again. A fluke. Figure I must have flinched just right to put 'em all in the same hole, and doggone, I never did hit the aiming point!

Typically this load produces about a 1.5" group at 300 yards, with that rifle.

Guy

Guy, I know what you mean. Most of us have a rifle and load combination that produced a small group at some point - a fluke. The following 100 yard group was shot some years ago. After 4 shots, I was pretty excited about the nearly one-hole group size. The 5th shot was a heartbreaker.



The Sierra 50gr Blitz flatbase does a pretty good job in my 223, but on average the Nosler 22-cal 50gr BT produces consistently smaller groups, though the BT has never produced close to a one-hole group with 3 or 4 shots.

 

[Guy Miner]

Well, the .300 WSM rifle is generally pretty accurate, around 1/2 MOA typically... So the itty bitty group wasn't all that much better than the usual groups from my Model 70 and that ammo. Keeps me happy with those Bergers. :mrgreen:

Guy

 

[big rifle man]

Went to the range this past Monday with my Kimber Montana in .300WSM. This particular rifle is the only one I have that seems to like both boat tails and flat base, weights being 180 grains. I had broken my rifle down after returning from an October Elk hunt as it rained, snowed and did everything else it possibly could in the mountains. After reassembly I figured a new sight in was due. What a surprise I got. I was shooting 180 grain Sierra gamekings over 64 grains of RL17 with a Fed 215M primer and Norma cases. The first five shots were in a 1 1/4 inch group at 200 yards smack in the middle of the bull. Talk about luck. I guess there is something to be said about a carbon/fiber stock and bedding. I've shot the same groups with 180 grain noslers and Sierra pro hunters so the base of the bullet doesn't seem to make a difference.

 

[SJB358]

Went to the range this past Monday with my Kimber Montana in .300WSM. This particular rifle is the only one I have that seems to like both boat tails and flat base, weights being 180 grains. I had broken my rifle down after returning from an October Elk hunt as it rained, snowed and did everything else it possibly could in the mountains. After reassembly I figured a new sight in was due. What a surprise I got. I was shooting 180 grain Sierra gamekings over 64 grains of RL17 with a Fed 215M primer and Norma cases. The first five shots were in a 1 1/4 inch group at 200 yards smack in the middle of the bull. Talk about luck. I guess there is something to be said about a carbon/fiber stock and bedding. I've shot the same groups with 180 grain noslers and Sierra pro hunters so the base of the bullet doesn't seem to make a difference.

That is pretty reassuring when the rifles do that. Hard to argue with a good rifle like that.

 

[sask boy]

In the last 10 years I have loaded Accubonds almost exclusively and my loads are definitely more accurate . Before this I still shot good quality as Partitions were my bullet of choice but I was happy with 1" or little better MOA. Now I believe that I have progressed as a handloader and with equipment & components being what they are I believe my rifles are far more accurate. It would be interesting to see how I would do personally with Partitions using the same techniques I do today.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Oldtrader3]

Target from my .30-06, 165 Partitions, 3-shots at 100 yards.