flat nose solid vs. round nose solid

[idek]

Assuming bullets of the same caliber, velocity, and weight hit identical targets, how will the impacts differ between a flat nose bullet and a round nose bullet?

 

[Art Eatman]

The flat-nose will slow down more quickly in flight, and will not penetrate as deeply.

 

[Kestrel4k]

I have read a few reports of low-velocity rounds (such as 38's) being considerably more effective on small game with FN's compared to RN's, FWIW [shrug]. Also, read up on the Garrett website with regards to their thoughts on meplat size in the 'Ballistic commentaries' section. Very interesting reading.

 

[idek]

Thanks for the replies.

Kestrel, the link was very interesting and answered much of what I was wondering. I bookmarked it for future reference.

 

[Doyle]

Idek, you need to do some reading on "ballistic coefficient". That will answer a lot of your questions. The higher the BC, the less it is slowed down by wind resistance as it travels.

Every bullet manufacturer publishes the BC for their bullets. If you are shooting a high-powered rifle only at short range stuff (say less than 100 yds), the bullet can have the BC of a brick and still do the job very well. However, if you need to hit something out there the BC really comes into play in determining how much the bullet is going to slow down (and therefore drop) before reaching its target.

 

[idek]

Doyle, thanks for the reply. I actually have read a fair amount about exterior ballistics and have some understanding of BC. I am currently trying to learn more about terminal ballistics, and, as you mentioned, I was thinking more in terms of short range shooting.

I'll edit the original question. My wording wasn't as specific as it should have been.

 

[Kestrel4k]

Kestrel, the link was very interesting and answered much of what I was wondering. I bookmarked it for future reference.

Glad that helped. I worked for an ammunition company (for a short while) during their development of a blackpowder sabot nonexpanding deer bullet. I really wanted to go with a Garret-shape for maximum terminal effect, but was overruled by the committee w/ something that looked like a 9mm :barf:

 

[30-30remchester]

I have been asked this same question quite a few times. Many unexperenced people cant understand why 2 bullets of different shape but same diameter can cause different wounds. I have come up with a demonstration that illistrates the difference in a manner all can understand. I take 2 identical pieces of cloth about 6" square and I hold one taught between my two hands. I then give the studend a sharpened pencil and have him drive it very fast through the cloth and remove it. He then examines the "wound". I take the next piece of cloth and have him drive the same pencil though the cloth at the same speed but in this instance i cut the point off the pencil and leaving it blunt. After he drives the blunt pencil through and removes it he then examines the new "wound". A vast difference in cloth damage inflicted by 2 objects going the same speed and of the same diameter penatrating the same material. After the test I have never had a student not understand the effect different shapes have on an object.

 

[bigStag]

Say what?

Are we shooting at paper, squirrel, Deer or an Elephant? Is the weapon a .22lr, 30-30 win or .416 Rigby? At 50 ft or 500 yds?

If you shoot a squirrel with a .416 Rigby at six feet then the Flat/Round nose is kinda irrelevant.

A flat nose bullet will expand quicker. So if you shoot a 30-30 win at a 150lb whitetail deer , black bear or hog under 200 yds then this great. 500lb Grizzy or even bigger Elk 300 yds+ not so much, you need the penetration. (easy, I know placement and ability matters more).

If I hit a deer, hog or any other target with a 24 - 30 inch mass using a 150 gr, 180 gr or 220 gr bullet at 2000 fps to 3500 fps it is passing through that target with out hesitation. How much penetration are you looking for?

Some believe that the slower velocity transfers more energy to the target.

So my question is what are you trying to accomplish?

 

[LSnSC]

I use wide flat nosed cast bullets out of my hunting revolvers. They are the best compromise of penetration and shock at those velocities.
I imagine it would be the similar for a rifle.

 

[Art Eatman]

LSnNC, revolver bullet muzzle velocity is rather low, compared to rifles. So, little expansion with revolvers. The large meplat doesn't hurt penetration, but creates more wound damage. For rifles, expansion is the mechanism for maximum damage, and velocity is need for expansion to occur.