Accuracy due to bullet shape

[Gyrogearhead]

A couple of weeks ago I was shooting the breeze with a fellow enthusiast and the subject of which bullet profile provided the greatest accuracy given all else being equal. My friend said he'd heard that the semi-wadcutter was the most accurate shape for the 45acp. This seems counter intuitive to me given its un-stream lined shape but who am I to say.

I'm wondering if any of you guys know anything about this or is it just another urban legend. Has anyone run tests to find out the answer to this question in the past. Seems to me the question is bound to have come up before. This has been bugging me for some time now and I can't seem to find an authoritative answer.

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

[The Annoyed Man]

I don't know if this is a valid comparison or not, but:

A) my .45's - all 4 of them - are more accurate with JHP ammo than with FMJ; although I concede that this may be due to the fact that the JHPs are "premium" ammo, while the FMJs are not; and

B) in long range rifle competition, premium bullets like the Sierra Matchking and the Lapua Scenar are all hollowpoints.

Like I said, I have really no idea if the principles of bullet design for accuracy in rifle ammo have any bearing at all on bullet design for accuracy in pistols.

[CDH]

There are tomes written about the subject of accuracy. Many 'facts' spouted in one will be refuted in another.

There are no hard and fast rules, and even rules of thumb must be approached with great caution. It is far easier (if you are not trying to design the next tank gun) to just shoot a variety and see what happens than to hang your hat on theory. It's more fun too...

[boomerang]

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/20 ... ed-bullet/


but notice the date :lol:

[Gyrogearhead]

Many thanks for the advice guys. From what's been said above I guess I just need to get out to the range and find out for myself as suggested.

The Annoyed Man (TAM) pointed out that the premimum bullets are always the ones used by the really successful shooters. My question is do they really make that much difference or is it more of the "Everyone else does it so it must be right" sort of thing. Or is it that they make that extra 1% difference between first and second place? At my experience level (beginner) I'm not sure I'd be able to tell the difference between the Speer premimum and the Ranier plated bullets (my current cannon fodder). At some point I may need to switch to a premimum bullet to progress "to the next step" but I think that for now it might just be a waste of money. Question is: where is that "next step"?

I know you all have gone through this when you were starting out and I would very much like to profit from your experience. As my sainted pappy used to say, "Learn from other's mistakes; you don't have enough lifetime to make them all yourself." Anyway, would a good time to start using better bullets be when I get to 4" groups at 25yd? 2" groups at 25yd? or what? I am just in awe of "george" (above) who can hold 2" groups at 100yd!!! Right now I'm doing really good when I can keep all thirteen inside the 6" circle at 15yd holding the pistol with both hands and trying not to breathe. Might not be at the bottom of the heap but I'm real close.

[txfireguy2003]

Hey Boomerang....what do you think the odds are that those dimpled bullets are an April Fools joke....it was printed April 1st. I CAN however see some merit to the idea if it is true. I can see how it would reduce in barrel drag, increase fragmentation (which I think is against the Geneva Convention....) and decrease in flight drag, just don't know what it would do to stability and accuracy, since I've seen those dimpled baseballs curve at the batting cages! Why no real pictures? Next question....when can civilians get some?

[ghostrider]

> A) my .45's - all 4 of them - are more accurate with JHP ammo than with FMJ; although I
>concede that this may be due to the fact that the JHPs are "premium" ammo, while the FMJs are not; and

my understanding is that its easier to manufacture an accurate JHP than a FMJ. I don't recall the principle behind this, but it what I have read.

[Plato]

... Anyway, would a good time to start using better bullets be when I get to 4" groups at 25yd? 2" groups at 25yd? or what? I am just in awe of "george" (above) who can hold 2" groups at 100yd!!! Right now I'm doing really good when I can keep all thirteen inside the 6" circle at 15yd holding the pistol with both hands and trying not to breathe. Might not be at the bottom of the heap but I'm real close.

And all us IDPA shooters are plenty happy with 6" groups at 15 yards -the question is how fast can you do it

Maybe you're just in the wrong sport

[Gyrogearhead]

By George, Plato, I think you've got it. I probably am in the wrong sport. I've heard about IDPA and have been thinking about it lately. Someone said as I recall, something about an IDPA shoot at PSC in the NASA - Friendswood area some time real soon. Any truth to that? I'm right next door to NASA and it would be an easy drive.

Many thanks for the tip.

[TxDrifter]

Hey Boomerang....what do you think the odds are that those dimpled bullets are an April Fools joke....it was printed April 1st. I CAN however see some merit to the idea if it is true. I can see how it would reduce in barrel drag, increase fragmentation (which I think is against the Geneva Convention....) and decrease in flight drag, just don't know what it would do to stability and accuracy, since I've seen those dimpled baseballs curve at the batting cages! Why no real pictures? Next question....when can civilians get some?

Posted on the 10th since people still thought the April Fool's Joke Article was real.

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/20 ... b-readers/

[Jeremae]

By George, Plato, I think you've got it. I probably am in the wrong sport. I've heard about IDPA and have been thinking about it lately. Someone said as I recall, something about an IDPA shoot at PSC in the NASA - Friendswood area some time real soon. Any truth to that? I'm right next door to NASA and it would be an easy drive.

Many thanks for the tip.

Yes PSC has an IDPA match the 4th Saturday of every month (this Saturday the 25th of april) and it is one of the most fun things you can do with your clothes on.

Signups start at 8am, match starts at 9am, New shooters need to arrive before 8:30 for an orientation session.

If you have a sevicable pistol suitable for concealed carry, a holster that covers the trigger guard, at least 2 spare mags (or speedloaders for wheel gunners), for the love of Pete bring them and shoot the match. Don't just come out and watch. (you can get more details by reading some of the posts in the Competition sub forum or going to the IDPA.COM website)

Charles Cotton who hosts this board is usually the Match Director.
If it is cancelled there will be a post in the Competition sub forum on this board.

[LarryH]

Someone said as I recall, something about an IDPA shoot at PSC in the NASA - Friendswood area some time real soon. Any truth to that? I'm right next door to NASA and it would be an easy drive.

Jeremae beat me to it.

[TxDrifter]

You will regret not bringing your gear if you just watch.

[cbunt1]

You will regret not bringing your gear if you just watch.

Agreed. Been there, done that, made that mistake.

Go to a match or practice. Sign up, join in. IDPA's all about newbies, and everyone I've encountered is willing to help, and is very understanding of the first-time-jitters.

Thunder Tactical does a "practice" shoot every Wednesday evening, and one of the clubs down south does as well--I just can't remember whether it's PSC or not. Either way, it's worth the price of admission and the trip.