boat tail vs flat base

spyshot · October 22nd, 2009, 10:28 PM

currently im using boat tail .224 bullets for my AR. i'm wondering if i buy flat base bullets...

1. will i have a decrease in accuracy at 100 yds?

2. will i have a harder time seating the flat base bullets when relaoding. i know the boat tail helps to start the bullet when seating.

thanks for you advice!

adam

Majorlk · October 22nd, 2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyshot

currently im using boat tail .224 bullets for my AR. i'm wondering if i buy flat base bullets...

1. will i have a decrease in accuracy at 100 yds?

2. will i have a harder time seating the flat base bullets when relaoding. i know the boat tail helps to start the bullet when seating.

thanks for you advice!

adam

1 - not enough to ever measure, unless you are into benchrest shooting - but then you wouldn't be shooting an AR.

2 - probably slower than harder. I've never really noticed much difference, though. If there's a problem a very slight flare on the case mouth will solve the problem.

samh · October 22nd, 2009, 10:47 PM

question #1. it all depends on the rifle and what it likes. I've got an old Ruger 77 in 30/06 that will shoot great ( 1.2 to 3/4 inch groups @ 100yds) with flatbased bullets, but with boattails, same weight and powder charge, open up to 2 to 3 inches. Got a Tikka 25/06 that shoots both style bullets the same. Every gun is different with what bullet and powder and bullet weight and powder charge they like.

Question #2. Boattails are a little easier to start in a case, but not so much that I'd pick'em over a good flatbased bullet if that's what my gun liked or I just wanted to try them.

Biggest difference in boattailed and flatbased bullets is down range trajectory and unless you're really reaching out there at very long ranges, the average shooter won't be able to tell the difference.

HotGuns · October 22nd, 2009, 10:48 PM

Usually no reduction in accuracy, but that depends on the gun.

The boatail has a better ballistic coefficient, which means it slices through the air better,which means that it shoots flatter but it is generally not so noticeable until long range is encountered...that being several hundred yards.

No problem in loading flat base bullets. As mentioned, just a small flare will do wonders.

spyshot · October 22nd, 2009, 10:55 PM

ok thanks for the replies. i noticed many mentions of a small flare to help seating...how do i acheive that with a standared die set?

thanks again
adam

Ram Rod · October 22nd, 2009, 11:03 PM

I have on occasion crushed case necks with the flat base bullets. Very seldom since I ream the inside and outside of the case mouths and use spray lube. Flat based bullets and accuracy? I'm no pro in the field, but I have reloaded plenty of flat based bullets along with my boat tails, and I can't tell much difference. My accuracy results rely mainly on my primers and powder as well as free-bore. If you are loading to the OAL generic specs for an auto-loading rifle, the flat base bullets may go further downrange before stabilizing depending on the twist rate of the barrel, and the weight of the bullet. For most serous rifle shooters, results start at 100yds and go from there. Your flat based bullets will likely stabilize well before that (depending on some of the variables mentioned). Increased drag on flat based bullets compared to boat tails? Inevitably. But again, doubtful this will make itself known out to 100yds. Flat based bullets normally won't seat as deeply as the boat tails if you're going off the ogive,and if you're going to use the same charge in powder, this may decrease velocity as well. A cronograph is nice. I wish I had one sometimes, but the paper tells most of the story.

coffeecup · October 29th, 2009, 10:57 AM

Most all the flat based bullets I have seen have a very slight bevel at the edge of the base to help you get them started into the case. Dont worry about it, the difference in accuracy is minimal at most.

cvhoss · October 29th, 2009, 02:39 PM

You've already received some good advice here. I just want to concur with others in that it really depends on what your gun likes. If you try a flat based bullet and it's inaccurate, don't assume that your gun will dislike all fb bullets. You may have to try other brands/designs to find the one your gun likes best.

On my new Remy 700 in .204 Ruger, I tried some of the Midway Dogtown bullets (a FB bullet) and couldn't get better than 1 1/4" groups. I gave some of my loaded rounds to two friends who both have Savage rifles and it shot right around 1/2" out of both rifles. I switched to a Nosler BT bullet and my groups dropped to 3/8". It's all what a particular rifle likes the best.

Hoss

ntg · October 29th, 2009, 04:04 PM

There's lots we don't know from what you gave us. Assuming that your shooting .223 out of it it won't matter much IMO. Boat tails are a little easier to load IMO...and they shine for longer shots as the drop is a little less...with that in mind if your shooting a .223 a boat-tail won't matter within it's effective range. My 2cents.

spyshot · November 1st, 2009, 02:59 PM

thanks for the replies! best way is to try them and see how they work for me and the gun. but at least now i feel better about spending the money to do so. thanks again!

October 22nd, 2009, 10:47 PM	#3
samh Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Damascus, Arkansas Posts: 96	question #1. it all depends on the rifle and what it likes. I've got an old Ruger 77 in 30/06 that will shoot great ( 1.2 to 3/4 inch groups @ 100yds) with flatbased bullets, but with boattails, same weight and powder charge, open up to 2 to 3 inches. Got a Tikka 25/06 that shoots both style bullets the same. Every gun is different with what bullet and powder and bullet weight and powder charge they like. Question #2. Boattails are a little easier to start in a case, but not so much that I'd pick'em over a good flatbased bullet if that's what my gun liked or I just wanted to try them. Biggest difference in boattailed and flatbased bullets is down range trajectory and unless you're really reaching out there at very long ranges, the average shooter won't be able to tell the difference. __________________ Life Member NRA

October 22nd, 2009, 10:48 PM	#4
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,582	Usually no reduction in accuracy, but that depends on the gun. The boatail has a better ballistic coefficient, which means it slices through the air better,which means that it shoots flatter but it is generally not so noticeable until long range is encountered...that being several hundred yards. No problem in loading flat base bullets. As mentioned, just a small flare will do wonders. __________________ AR. CHL Instr. To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

October 22nd, 2009, 11:03 PM	#6
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 8,807	I have on occasion crushed case necks with the flat base bullets. Very seldom since I ream the inside and outside of the case mouths and use spray lube. Flat based bullets and accuracy? I'm no pro in the field, but I have reloaded plenty of flat based bullets along with my boat tails, and I can't tell much difference. My accuracy results rely mainly on my primers and powder as well as free-bore. If you are loading to the OAL generic specs for an auto-loading rifle, the flat base bullets may go further downrange before stabilizing depending on the twist rate of the barrel, and the weight of the bullet. For most serous rifle shooters, results start at 100yds and go from there. Your flat based bullets will likely stabilize well before that (depending on some of the variables mentioned). Increased drag on flat based bullets compared to boat tails? Inevitably. But again, doubtful this will make itself known out to 100yds. Flat based bullets normally won't seat as deeply as the boat tails if you're going off the ogive,and if you're going to use the same charge in powder, this may decrease velocity as well. A cronograph is nice. I wish I had one sometimes, but the paper tells most of the story. __________________ RamRod-----sans remords live, eat, breathe, sleep Glock

October 29th, 2009, 02:39 PM	#8
cvhoss Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,785	You've already received some good advice here. I just want to concur with others in that it really depends on what your gun likes. If you try a flat based bullet and it's inaccurate, don't assume that your gun will dislike *all* fb bullets. You may have to try other brands/designs to find the one your gun likes best. On my new Remy 700 in .204 Ruger, I tried some of the Midway Dogtown bullets (a FB bullet) and couldn't get better than 1 1/4" groups. I gave some of my loaded rounds to two friends who both have Savage rifles and it shot right around 1/2" out of both rifles. I switched to a Nosler BT bullet and my groups dropped to 3/8". It's all what a particular rifle likes the best. Hoss __________________ I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I always was Sig 239 SAS 40 S&W / Sig 239 9mm / Kahr PM-9 / Walther PPS .40 / Sig P-245 / Ruger LCP Beretta Tomcat / Walther PPK / BDA 380 / Taurus 85 / Kel-Tec PF-9 / Am. Derringer 357 NRA Life Member My Web Site

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October 22nd, 2009, 10:28 PM	#1
spyshot Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 64	boat tail vs flat base currently im using boat tail .224 bullets for my AR. i'm wondering if i buy flat base bullets... 1. will i have a decrease in accuracy at 100 yds? 2. will i have a harder time seating the flat base bullets when relaoding. i know the boat tail helps to start the bullet when seating. thanks for you advice! adam

October 22nd, 2009, 10:55 PM	#5
spyshot Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 64	ok thanks for the replies. i noticed many mentions of a small flare to help seating...how do i acheive that with a standared die set? thanks again adam

October 29th, 2009, 10:57 AM	#7
coffeecup Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cadiz,Ky Posts: 780	Most all the flat based bullets I have seen have a very slight bevel at the edge of the base to help you get them started into the case. Dont worry about it, the difference in accuracy is minimal at most.

October 29th, 2009, 04:04 PM	#9
ntg Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: ID Posts: 43	There's lots we don't know from what you gave us. Assuming that your shooting .223 out of it it won't matter much IMO. Boat tails are a little easier to load IMO...and they shine for longer shots as the drop is a little less...with that in mind if your shooting a .223 a boat-tail won't matter within it's effective range. My 2cents.

November 1st, 2009, 02:59 PM	#10
spyshot Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 64	thanks for the replies! best way is to try them and see how they work for me and the gun. but at least now i feel better about spending the money to do so. thanks again!