Favorite LBT style - WFN,, LFN or WLN?

[sixshot]

I think we are splitting hairs here but when any bullet starts going sub sonic regardless of nose design accuracy is going to start to drop off. I do think that when using a WFN style bullet that it's necessary to keep velocity up in order to maintain accuracy whereas a LFN bullet can be run at lower velocities with better results. Again I think David Bradshaw will chime in here in a bit & give us a little more insight on bullet design vs velocity. As far as game killing I've taken probably triple the amount of game with Keith type bullets as I have with LBt type's & not run into problems ever. But as some of you mention when you get into the really big stuff I tend to agree bullet design has a big effect on the outcome even with correctly placed bullets. I've never taken anything bigger than elk, moose & plains game. When you add another 500-600 lbs. that can & will make quite a difference.
So few of us get to hunt game that size I doubt any bullet can out preform my cast bullets.

Dick

[bradshaw]

Mart.... bullet makers have long distinguished rifle bullets by job. Bullets for match are developed around accuracy and wind resistance without regard for expansion characteristics. The resulting match bullet may be unpredictable on game, the same bullet frequently subject to blowup, with occasional samples acting more like a solid. Unpredictable. The hunting bullet is developed in mind of predictable expansion, whether, fast or “controlled.” As bullet making a become more precise, there has been something of a convergence of match accuracy with hunting performance in the same bullet.

An aspect of match accuracy which defined Sierra Bullets for years and set the Match King Boattail Hollow Point apart from most others, the Sierra holding extreme accuracy to longer distances than most of its competitors. Thus, shooters who may have shot Hornady----for example----out to 300 yards, switched to Sierra for 600 and 1,000 yards. My point is not to promote one maker’s bullet, it is to remember historical fact.

Most of the heavy winning in Handgun Silhouette has been done with hunting bullets in single shots (Production and Unlimited), as good hunting bullets cost less and are very accurate indeed. In the Revolver category, while great match bullets have been made (examples----Sierra .44 220 FPJ and 250 FPJ; Speer .357 200 TMJ), there are hunting bullets of equal accuracy (example----Sierra 240 JHC).

Your question of which style of LBT a shooter favors----Wide Flat Nose, Long Flat Nose, Wide Long Nose----should be answered by individual need. Answers based on experience are important. A serious marksman or markswoman with a FIELD UNDERSTANDING of anatomy works to plant a bullet on a large animal into an area the size of a fist. This is not abstract. If the bullet veers off target while your aim is true, this bullet is not for you.

A wide MEPLAT increases impact, well proven by the wadcutter long before the LBT came along. A symmetrical wadcutter loses accuracy over distance, since longitudinal balance coincides with center of form in the longitudinal center of the bullet----its lengthwise balance. A WFN pushes longitudinal balance slightly behind center, hardly enough to separate balance from form. (For purpose of discussion, assume dynamic or spin balance is perfect.) By reducing mass at the meplat, the LFN pushes balance closer to the base----away from the lengthwise middle. A WFN with hollow point also pushes balance toward the base. To separate longitudinal CENTER of BALANCE from longitudinal CENTER of FORM stabilizes flight. This is what Dick Thompson is talking about. Hunters such as Dick Thompson, John Parker, and Max Prasac are willing to sacrifice long range accuracy for more punch up close, or closer.

Now introduce POWDER COATING, wherein the baking process anneals the bullet, allowing a SWC or LFP to flare at the nose. For things I’m likely to sink lead into, the anneal increases versatility of a LFN or heavy SWC.
David Bradshaw

[AxeHandle]

Beware the wide nose variations. I've personally seen Bowen and Reeder guns that would not chamber WFNs.

[mart]

I appreciate all the good information guys. As always, lots of good education and experience from guys with lots of experience. That's what makes this such a great site.

[sixshot]

Some Freedom Arms guns won't chamber a WFN bullet & when you add powder coating you can accelerate the problem depending on the nose to crimp length. The portion of the bullet that doesn't size but is powder coated can become a problem in some tight chambered revolvers & semi autos without correct adjustment. My 10" 454 Freedom Arms would only except a .451" diameter cast bullet, if it was sized .452" it would not chamber.

Dick

[mart]

I have run into issues with WFN and LFN bullets not chambering in a couple of Rugers. I have never had an issue with the WLN failing to chamber in any of the revolvers I've owned. I have not tried any PC bullets yet but with the purchase of the new Terminator mold I will be trying it. Mostly to see how PC works with my Ruger 44 Carbine's gas system and if it will give me a cast bullet option for that rifle.

[edk]

There is a lot of talk about WFNs not being stable at long range. In my neck of the woods almost all shots are under 100 yards - no matter if armed with rifle or handgun. Since the name of the game is handgun hunting shots can generally be limited to 50 yards without having to pass on many. "Long-range" WFN performance is a non issue. If on a particular day one wants long-range performance I don't know of many casters with only one mold!