25-06 Ammo question

[Joe Vaquero]

I just bought a box of Winchester ballistic Silver-tips 115 gr and a box of Hornady Superformance 117 gr Sst which is also a ballistic tipped bullet. I noticed when looking at them side by side that the Win cartridge is noticeably longer, like maybe 1/16" longer. Is this normal? I also compared a 100 gr Corlokt and it was the same length as the Winchester would be without the plastic tip. Could the Hornady be seated too deep or is this a non-issue? I'm going to measure them with calipers tomorrow at work so I'll know exactly how much difference there is.

 

[JimKirk]

You're way over thinking the OAL(COAL) numbers thing... three different bullets will/may have different OAL ... heck even bullets of the same make(out of the same box) will vary by quite a bit also.

Jimmy K

 

[Joe Vaquero]

Thanks for the reply. I just had not noticed anything like this before so I thought I'd ask. Thanks again.

 

[mshootnit]

The Hornady bullet likely has a cannelure that they crimp and this is sometimes quite a bit forward on their bullets. If you were to pull the bullets they would all be roughly the same length if the same weight.

 

[GooseGestapo]

It has to do with the OGIVE of the bullet. This is the curvature of the bullet from the bore diameter to the tip of the bullet.

The Nosler (makes the Ballistic SilverTips for Winchester) bullet uses something called a SECANT ogive, and the Hornady uses something called a TANGENT ogive. The tangent ogive results in a more foward and abrubt change from the bore diameter to the tapered point. This puts the initial contact point of the bore riding surface closer to the throat in the barrel. To maintain the same amount of "jump" of the bullet to the lands of the barrel, the bullet appears to be seated deeper.

Some rifles may/will shoot better with one or the other type bullet designs. Thats called choice, and choice is good.

Word of caution; I've had the Nosler 115gr Ballistic Tips break apart at close range when fired from my .257WbyMag at a m/v of 3,300fps. From my .257Roberts with a m/v of 2,900fps at ranges of over 100yds they've performed acceptably. I've also had some of the Hornady SST's fail to expand at muzzle velocities of under 2,800fps (7mm 139gr and .45cal 250gr)
The plastic tipped bullets aren't my favorites for big-game hunting......

 

[68wj]

Non-issue...until you get some range time and see which one your rifle likes more. Then, go with the better performer.