WHAT DO YOU THINK ... Flat base or boat tails ?

R

Ricky Bobby

New member
I have a simple question: Which of these style bullets do you prefer, the flat base or boat tails? Please explain your reasoning for one or the other! I can't really explain why, but I seem to favor the flat base style bullets. Just wish they made more of them, seems like majority are the boat tails.
 
I find that flat base bullets for me seem to be more accurate out to about 400ish then the boattails really shine after that. If I was only ever going to shoot 300 and under I would shoot mostly flat base.
 
Pretty mcuh what Bushy said. The BT bullets realy shine at longer ranges but the FB bullet are king at the short game. All of the BR guys I know shoot FB bullets for the 100-300yd matches. That's saying something. Adam
 
bushy, you make a very valid point about the distance being a factor! I rarely shoot over 400yards and I'm sure that has something to do with why the boat tails don't do anything for me. There just isn't to many places where I'm at that a person can shoot that distance. What about their performance as far as putting critters down? Is there any noticeable differences?
 
I don't think they differ much in the killing department...death is death. 400 yds and under, a good shot is a good shot, but past that you just need the higher BC.
 
Happy B-day Ricky Bobby.

I load alot of flat base and boat tail..For what I do I cant tell a difference in either other than having to "baby" the flat base up into the die.
 
Originally Posted By: bushyI find that flat base bullets for me seem to be more accurate out to about 400ish then the boattails really shine after that. If I was only ever going to shoot 300 and under I would shoot mostly flat base.

Me Too!
 
My thought is that your firearm will tell you which it prefers. I have a Remmy 700 in an 06 that love 180g flat based bullets and doesn't like boat tails of the same weight. I have a couple of rifles that it doesn't seem to make a difference in. Only your rifle will tell you what it likes. Just my 2 cents worth.

Tony
 
it depends what rifle. i like them in the 223 and 204 but i shoot amax or bergers out of my 7mag and will out of my 308 also. it just depends what range youll be shooting at
 
I like boatails because they seat easier.

There is always a little resistance getting a FB bullet started, and I have a little fear that I am bending the neck when I do it.

This is the definition of an irrational fear, because I have never tested to see which bullet is more accurate.
 
I have yet to have a problem shooting 68 BTHP's. I see no need to switch to something else when those do everything I need and want them to do in my AR.

Come to think of it my reloads for my .308 are boat tails too.
 
Originally Posted By: ab_bentleyPretty mcuh what Bushy said. The BT bullets realy shine at longer ranges but the FB bullet are king at the short game. All of the BR guys I know shoot FB bullets for the 100-300yd matches. That's saying something. Adam

Agreed. FB is king in the short game.

For hunting purposes--- I really don't think it matters all that much. That said, I would much rather run a BT at short range than a FB at long range.

I too like the ease in which BT are seated compared to FB....
 
Can't make a better argument than what's already been posted. I've only ever shot Nosler Partitions and don't shoot past 300 yds much.
 
My bullet of choice in the 06 is made by Sierra. They are flat based and run very well in my 06. I believe they are the Game King bullets. Hope this helps.


Tony
 
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