New MBC Hi-Tek 2 124 gr RN (SmallBall) works with short leade barrel

Apparently MBC has redesigned the 124 gr RN (SmallBall) nose profile for Hi-Tek 2 coated bullets which was designed with shorter rounded nose to increase the length of bullet base/bearing surface for greater neck tension.

You can tell the new bullet by a small flat tip compared to old bullet with rounded tip.


Here's the old SmallBall showing rounded tip




The old SmallBall loaded to 1.080" OAL worked in various factory barrels, KKM and Lone Wolf barrels with longer leade. But when I got my newest Lone Wolf barrel with short leade, loading shorter to 1.050" and even to 1.030" did not work as bullet base bulged the case neck so much that finished rounds rubbing the chamber wall prevented the round to fully chamber. So I gave up using SmallBall for the Lone Wolf barrel with short leade and instead used Dardas/Z-Cast "stepped" RN which cleared the start of rifling at 1.125" OAL (Now you know what that step is for ).

When MBC started coating their lead bullets with Hi-Tek 2 coating, I bought their coated bullets in 380Auto, 9mm, 40S&W and 45ACP. While posting for another thread, I noticed the different nose tip and got curious and decided to load the new Hi-Tek 2 SmallBall for KKM/Lone Wolf barrels with longer leade and Lone Wolf barrel with short leade - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/load-for-124-gr-coated-lrn.835020/#post-10804059

KKM 40-9 conversion barrel showing distinct free bore/leade before start of rifling


For KKM and Lone Wolf barrels with longer leade/free bore, the new MBC Hi-Tek 2 124 gr SmallBall loaded longer to 1.110" with .378" taper crimp fell in the chamber freely with a "plonk" and spun without hitting the start of rifling.

Lone Wolf 40-9 conversion barrel with short leade and sharper start of rifling angle than KKM barrel


For Lone Wolf barrels with short leade, MBC Hi-Tek 2 124 gr SmallBall loaded shorter to 1.050" with .378" taper crimp fell in the chamber freely with a "plonk" and spun without hitting the start of rifling.

Rejoice reloaders using barrels with short leade!

BTW, MBC Hi-Tek 2 coated 124 gr RNs sell for $35/500 and they offer 5% THR discount ($33.25/500 after discount). Check bottom of this post for vendors offering 5% THR discount codes - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/thank-you-thr-pay-it-forward.760272/

MBC Hi-Tek 2 124 gr RN (SmallBall) grooveless - http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=391&category=5&secondary=8&keywords=

MBC Hi-Tek 2 124 gr RN (SmallBall) with lube groove - http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=208&category=5&secondary=8&keywords=

Many lead bullet casters initially coated their bullets with lube groove which they had molds for then later had new molds made without lube groove.

As match shooters started to switch from groove bullets to grooveless bullets, some started noticing grooveless coated bullets producing slightly greater accuracy (perhaps subjective?), likely from greater neck tension and better engagement with rifling by bearing surface from more consistent contact.

To verify if this is the case, we may need to do comparison test to see if these factors make a difference on target.

We probably don't need to do the comparison test as my guess is grooveless bullets will produce smaller groups.

Captaingyro said:

bds said:

We probably don't need to do the comparison test as my guess is grooveless bullets will produce smaller groups.

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I had assumed the opposite: that the grooved bullets, being a tad longer for the same profile and weight, might be more accurate. The same effect is sometimes found where hollow points, being somewhat longer for a given weight, can be more accurate than ball.

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I guess there's only one way to find out. Myth busting comparison range test.

Rule3 said:

Do you have pictures of just the bullets side by side (old version/new version) Not loaded?

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I will post comparison picture when I get a chance.