Tipped Match Bullets

[CMBTshooter]

Why doesn't Nosler make polymer tipped match bullets? The BC of their polymer tipped hunting bullets is phenomenal and the main deformation of BTHP is the meplat. I'm not complaining about the custom competition bullets' accuracy, just wondering. Is it just cost of manufacturing?

 

[.300winmag]

I really think it comes down to it adding a step to the manufacturing process. I don't think it's a cost thing really, but adding another step to the manufacturing process adds another opportunity for error to be induced in the bullet, and for competition bullets error needs to be as low as possible. The fewer steps the better, for least opportunity of error and for efficiency reasons. Besides the A-max line of bullets, I can't think of any other target specific bullet that has a polymer tip. I do know a few guys using ballistic tips in NRA high power competition that are doing quite well.

As long as the bullet is balanced a jagged meplat is not an issue, as you've probably seen with the Sierra MK's or Custom Comp. Plus there are meplat trimming and pointing tools available that will clean up those meplats real purdy!

 

[CMBTshooter]

Didn't think about keeping the manufacturing process to the fewest steps.

 

[Polaris]

Nos is relatively new to the match bullet game. Match shooters are a picky lot and tend to not immediately accept new things.

I think lagging sales of Hornady's Amax may be the reason they're sticking with good old BTHPs. The BCs of the .30 cal and 6.5mm CCs that I have experience with are quite good and I certainly wouldn't change anything. Also, as eluded to above, the more complicated a design, the more places there are for some little thing to go wrong. Case in point, 123 gr Hornady A-maxs will occasionally rupture mid-flight from fast twist barrels. I've heard of occasional happenings with the A-max from 1:7 AR 15s also.