{"id":482,"date":"2023-07-28T21:48:34","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T21:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/?p=482"},"modified":"2023-07-28T21:48:35","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T21:48:35","slug":"bearing-surface-todays-longer-bullets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/?p=482","title":{"rendered":"Bearing Surface &#038; Today&#8217;s Longer Bullets"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-some-issues-and-fixes-for-when-it-comes-to-dealing-with-the-bearing-surface-of-today-s-longer-bullets\"><strong>Some issues and fixes for when it comes to dealing with the bearing surface of today\u2019s longer bullets.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s a marked change in progress in the rifle bullet industry, and one that\u2019s not going away. Our bullets are growing longer, ogives are flattening out, and the notable shift away from lead-core designs has our traditional bullet weights growing in length. The higher ballistic coefficient of the longer bullet is so important to long-range shooters that entire families of cartridges have been designed around the bullet instead of vice versa.<\/p>\n<p>For the reloader, all of this can pose some issues, in both the practical application of these bullets as well as the choice of bullet weight\/type for your given cartridge. The bearing surface of these longer bullets can often generate problems and challenges for the reloader, so let\u2019s look at some issues and some fixes when it comes to loading the longer bullets.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><noscript><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-feature.jpg\" alt=\"Reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-feature\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-290082\" width=\"726\" height=\"469\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-feature.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-feature-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-feature-768x496.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-feature-696x450.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-feature-650x420.jpg 650w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Our modern bullets are growing longer, and nothing can stop them. As reloaders, we must adapt. <em>Photo: Massaro Media Group.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-long-game\"><strong>The Long Game<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>My first experience with longer bullets and bearing surface came with the first iteration of the Barnes X bullets. I loved the concept\u2014the idea of monometal construction with no different parts to separate\u2014but the bullets simply didn\u2019t group well in any of my rifles, and the copper fouling was hellacious. The load data I was using wasn\u2019t working out either, and I couldn\u2019t figure out why.<\/p>\n<p>I felt some relief knowing it wasn\u2019t just me, because Barnes introduced the TSX, or Triple Shock X bullet. The revised bullet has three grooves cut into the shank in order to reduce bearing surface; consequently, this also reduces pressure and copper fouling. In addition to radically improving the accuracy of the Barnes line\u2014and restoring my faith in the product\u2014the pressures generated dropped significantly, and the load data changed accordingly. I\u2019ve found that the monometal bullets of the last decade or so actually perform better with powders on the faster side of the range for a particular cartridge, which bring the pressures back up for a more consistent velocity.<\/p>\n<p>California has passed laws prohibiting the use of lead and lead-core bullets in the hunting fields, so the use of copper\/copper alloy projectiles is required, and that has certainly had an effect on the market\u2019s use of that style of bullet. In fact, nearly all of the major bullet manufacturers offer a lead-free projectile in their lineup, with more models popping up each year.<\/p>\n<p>Looking at the pleasures and pitfalls of the monometals, you\u2019ll find that the lighter material results in a longer bullet when compared to the lead-core counterparts. This moves the center of gravity rearward and can compromise bullet stability in certain instances. Where the majority of the 6.5mm cartridges work wonderfully with a 140-grain lead core spitzer bullet and a round-nose 160-grain lead-core bullet, the most common twist rates won\u2019t stabilize a 140-grain copper alloy spitzer bullet; hence, the popularity of the 129- and 130-grain monometal designs in that caliber.<\/p>\n<p>Generally speaking, with the common twist rates, the heaviest bullet weights for a given caliber won\u2019t be stabilized if that projectile is lead-free. But that\u2019s alright, because the terminal performance is usually such that the hunter can actually drop down in weight without being overly concerned.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a 180-grain bullet has long been the common choice for the various .300 Magnums, but you can surely see similar terminal performance from a monometal 165-grain choice. The 130-grain 6.5mm bullet doesn\u2019t give up an awful lot in comparison to a lead-core 140-grain slug, and a 250- or 270-grain monometal bullet in a .375 H&amp;H or .375 Ruger has no flies on it.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-profiles-and-data\"><strong>Profiles And Data<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Modern lead-core bullets designed for long-range hunting can have radically different profiles in comparison to the flat-based spitzer bullets, and they might require a different set of load data. For example, if you were to compare a 200-grain Nosler Partition and a 200-grain Federal Terminal Ascent, you\u2019ll see that the classic Partition design has much more bearing surface than the sleek Terminal Ascent with its longer ogive and boat-tail. A specific data set should be used for each bullet, as the Partition will most likely reach its pressure peak at a lower charge rate than the Terminal Ascent.<\/p>\n<p>Hornady\u2019s ELD-X and ELD Match, Federal\u2019s Terminal Ascent, Berger VLD and Hybrid bullets, Sierra MatchKings and Tipped MatchKings are all examples of bullets with a unique bearing surface when compared to traditionally shaped projectiles. Many reloading manuals will include separate data for this type of bullet, though they\u2019re sometimes lumped together by weight.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface.jpg\" alt=\"reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface\" class=\"wp-image-290084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-672x420.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface.jpg\" alt=\"reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-290084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reloading-longer-bullets-bearing-surface-672x420.jpg 672w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The 205-grain .30-caliber Berger Elite Hunter has a long, sleek ogive; in the .300 Winchester Magnum, the reloader might have to address the cartridge overall length. <em>Photo: Massaro Media Group.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I\u2019ve also found that the true accuracy potential of these higher B.C. bullets may not be realized at 100 yards, where so many of us reloaders do our accuracy testing. They require a bit of time to \u201csettle down,\u201d and when you measure group sizes in MOA, the 300-yard target may tell a different tale than does the 100-yard target. I\u2019ll also say that those bullets with the severe boat-tail are happier with consistent velocity figures and are prone to be affected by variations in velocity more than their flat-based cousins.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-additional-tips\"><strong>Additional Tips<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>One caveat about loading these long, sleek bullets: a regular seating plug may damage the meplat, defeating the entire purpose of using these bullets in the first place. Check your seating plug and, if need be, check with the manufacturer to purchase a \u201cVLD\u201d seating plug; it\u2019ll be a game-changer.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, some of these bullets will pose a challenge when trying to adhere to the prescribed cartridge overall length (C.O.L.); you may find that the case mouth is sitting on the bullet\u2019s ogive instead of the shank. That situation is unacceptable, so you\u2019ll be forced to either seat that bullet out to where the case mouth is on the shank with a longer C.O.L. or choose a different design. If you choose to exceed the published C.O.L. value, you\u2019ll need to make sure that the projectile isn\u2019t going to contact the lands of your rifle (which will generate dangerous pressures).<\/p>\n<p>Also, the longer cartridge length may prevent the cartridge from seating in the rifle\u2019s magazine; what you\u2019ll end up with is a single-feed rifle. Simply put, I don\u2019t feel that the cartridge designers of a half-century ago or more could envision the bullets of the 21st century and the advancements in powder, barrels and optics. Our modern cartridge designs are looking at the bullet geometry first and cartridge length second.<\/p>\n<p>The reloader can take full advantage of these new bullet designs, to a certain point: Attempting to stuff them in a cartridge that just isn\u2019t suited to that bullet profile seems counterintuitive. Part of reloading is knowing the limitations of each design, and staying within safe parameters and that includes using a bullet design that mates up to your rifle\u2019s magazine and throat with causing a potentially dangerous situation.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Editor&#8217;s Note:<\/strong>\u00a0This article originally appeared in the\u00a0May 2022 issue of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gundigeststore.com\/product\/gun-digest-magazine-one-year-subscription\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gun Digest the Magazine<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><strong>More On Reloading:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-39\" style=\"margin: 8px 0; clear: both;\">\n<hr\/>\n<h3>Get Started in Reloading:<\/p>\n<h3> <a class=\"aff brownells\" target=\"blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;merchant_id=855e0b56-67a2-40d0-aa2b-a0764ca94489&amp;website_id=0edfd0ee-72b2-4671-8283-812dfe1f1627&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brownells.com%2Freloading%2Fbooks-amp-videos%2Fbooks%2Findex.htm\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><button>Reloading Manuals from $19.99 <span>brownells.com<\/span><\/button><\/a> <a class=\"aff brownells\" target=\"blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=el&amp;merchant_id=855e0b56-67a2-40d0-aa2b-a0764ca94489&amp;website_id=0edfd0ee-72b2-4671-8283-812dfe1f1627&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brownells.com%2Freloading%2Freloading-kits%2Fexplorer-reloading-kit-prod60599.aspx&amp;ctc=reloading insert\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><button> Beginners&#8217; RCBS Reloading Kit $342.99 <span>brownells.com<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<div>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/storm-tactical-target-pack?path=5\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-271572\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300-300x235.jpg\" alt=\"44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300\" width=\"300\" height=\"235\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignright size-medium wp-image-271572\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300-300x235.jpg\" alt=\"44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300\" width=\"300\" height=\"235\"\/><\/a>NEXT STEP: Download Your <strong>Free<\/strong> Storm Tactical Printable Target Pack<\/h3>\n<p> <strong>62 Printable MOA Targets with DOT Drills &#8211; Rifle Range in YARDS<\/strong> This impressive target pack from our friends at Storm Tactical contains <a href=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/storm-tactical-target-pack?path=5\"><strong>62 printable targets<\/strong><\/a> for rifle and handgun range use. Target grids and bullseye sizes are in MOA. Ideal for long-range shooting!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Subscribe to the Gun Digest email newsletter and we&#8217;ll send your print-at-home target pack right away.<\/strong> Just enter your email address below. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<hr\/>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- AI CONTENT END 1 --><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some issues and fixes for when it comes to dealing with the bearing surface of today\u2019s longer bullets. There\u2019s a marked change in progress in the rifle bullet industry, and one that\u2019s not going away. Our bullets are growing longer, ogives are flattening out, and the notable shift away from lead-core designs has our traditional [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":483,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-482","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tactical-gear"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=482"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":484,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482\/revisions\/484"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/483"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=482"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=482"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=482"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}