Low Drag Hunting Trend?

[Chuck R.]

Actually, no. The discussion is about real world advantages of ultra-high BC bullets in hunting situations at typical hunting ranges. You insist that a very slight advantage on paper is meaningful: it isn't. And you're talking to a bunch of us old enough to know this. A $1001 is more than $1000, but the difference won't buy cup of coffee.

Agree..

IF this article is accurate:

What Kill Shot Statistics Teach You About Hunting

The author compiled data on calibers, shot distances, bullet weights, scope magnification and more on 56 trophy big game animals, whitetails to buffalo. Here's what we learned

realtree.com

Even though it should by now be clear, I lumped the data for all 56 of these big game trophies together and then added the data for eight more scattered through my home. Ultimately, the data represented hunts in five countries and 11 states. (It's worth noting that in every data set, only animals sent to the taxidermist were included. This eliminated many kills that most hunters would not consider a trophy.) The overall averages were, as we've now learned from experience, predictable:

Overall Averages​

• Average Caliber: .30
• Average Bullet Weight: 159 grains
• Average Muzzle Velocity: 2689 fps
• Average Shot Distance: 143 yards
• Average Riflescope Magnification: 6X

Then yea, the delta in a high BC bullet VS a standard BC (even a round nose??) plays no significant role.. I've seen multiple surveys conducted on gun forums that indicate about the same thing, the average shot on big game in this country is under 200yds.

Luckily, we don't have to guess at the impact or delta, everyone on the net has access to ballistic software. Just as a test, I ran some numbers in Strelok using a fictional 30-06 with 180grn spitzers and 180 grn round nose, both loads at 2750FPS, sighted in for 200yds with a 10MPH cross wind.

Sierra 180 RN, MPBR on 6" tgt is 259 yds.

Distance, yards​	Bullet speed, f/s​	Energy, ft-lbf​	Elevation, inch​	Windage, inch​
50.0​	2567.4​	2634​	D0.5​	L0.3​
75.0​	2484.4​	2467​	D1.2​	L0.7​
100.0​	2405.4​	2312​	D1.6​	L1.3​
125.0​	2329.5​	2169​	D1.7​	L2.1​
150.0​	2256.3​	2035​	D1.3​	L3.1​
175.0​	2185.7​	1909​	D0.5​	L4.2​
200.0​	2120.4​	1797​	U0.7​	L5.6​
225.0​	2054.5​	1687​	U2.4​	L7.1​
250.0​	1990.7​	1584​	U4.7​	L8.9​
275.0​	1929.1​	1487​	U7.5​	L10.9​
300.0​	1869.5​	1397​	U10.8​	L13.2​
325.0​	1811.9​	1312​	U14.8​	L15.6​
350.0​	1756.3​	1233​	U19.5​	L18.4​
375.0​	1704.9​	1162​	U24.6​	L21.2​
400.0​	1653.0​	1092​	U30.7​	L24.5​

180grn Silver BT, MPBR on 6" TGT 281yds

Distance, yards​	Bullet speed, f/s​	Energy, ft-lbf​	Elevation, inch​	Windage, inch​
50.0​	2656.6​	2821​	D0.3​	L0.1​
75.0​	2610.7​	2724​	D0.9​	L0.3​
100.0​	2565.2​	2630​	D1.3​	L0.6​
125.0​	2520.2​	2538​	D1.3​	L1.0​
150.0​	2475.6​	2449​	D1.0​	L1.5​
175.0​	2431.5​	2363​	D0.3​	L2.1​
200.0​	2389.7​	2282​	U0.7​	L2.8​
225.0​	2346.4​	2201​	U2.1​	L3.6​
250.0​	2303.6​	2121​	U3.9​	L4.5​
275.0​	2261.2​	2044​	U6.2​	L5.6​
300.0​	2219.3​	1968​	U8.8​	L6.7​
325.0​	2177.8​	1896​	U11.9​	L8.0​
350.0​	2136.7​	1825​	U15.4​	L9.4​
375.0​	2097.8​	1759​	U19.3​	L10.9​
400.0​	2057.5​	1692​

So IF the average shot distance is 200yds a whopping 3" delta in wind, still well within a whitetail kill zone.

Just for comparison I ran the numbers for a .308 190grn ABLR at 2700 FPS. MPBR is 281yds on 6" zone:

Distance, yards​	Bullet speed, f/s​	Energy, ft-lbf​	Elevation, inch​	Windage, inch​
50.0​	2621.5​	2899​	D0.3​	L0.1​
75.0​	2582.7​	2814​	D1.0​	L0.3​
100.0​	2544.3​	2731​	D1.3​	L0.5​
125.0​	2506.2​	2650​	D1.3​	L0.9​
150.0​	2468.5​	2571​	D0.9​	L1.3​
175.0​	2431.0​	2493​	D0.3​	L1.8​
200.0​	2395.5​	2421​	U0.8​	L2.4​
225.0​	2358.7​	2347​	U2.2​	L3.1​
250.0​	2322.2​	2275​	U4.0​	L3.9​
275.0​	2286.0​	2205​	U6.2​	L4.8​
300.0​	2250.2​	2136​	U8.9​	L5.8​
325.0​	2214.6​	2069​	U11.9​	L6.9​
350.0​	2179.3​	2004​	U15.4​	L8.1​
375.0​	2145.9​	1943​	U19.3​	L9.4​
400.0​	2111.3​	1881​	U23.7​	L10.8​

At 200 yds:

190 ABLR: U0.8 L2.4
180 CT BT: U0.7 L2.8
180 Sierra RN: U0.7 L5.6

300yds:

190 ABLR: U8.9 L5.8
180 CT BT: U8.8 L6.7
180 Sierra RN: U10.8 L13.2

The MPBRs:
180RN: 259
180 CTBT: 281
190 ABLR: 281

So without taking wind into effect, the higher BC bullets gain about 22yds in MPBR against the RN.

 

[41 Mag]

Well throw me under tha bus and run me over...

I learned to "shoot" rifles without having any laser rangefinders or wind meter, and primarily with a 4x scope. We stepped off ranges to targets, or actually measured using a 100' tape(ugh). We shot and verified the actual drops out to 300yds which was a LONG WAY. Our handloading was usually 4831 and either a Sierra or Hornady Spitzer.

As I grew older I studied ballistics in detail as I wanted to be able to accurately place my shots to as far as our property allows. I purchased a rangefinder, wind meter, and dialed in my hand loads to reflect the best groups. Still using primarily the same bullets and similar powders.

I am far from being a competitive shooter, not that I can't, I just don't have the time or want to do so. I can however shoot, and shoot well. Given the outstanding array of bullets being produced nowadays, it's easy for me to see how easily one could duplicate my past experiences with far less effort. The problem lies, IMO, in that while there are quite numerous new wiz bang calibers being released, there is far less emphasis on actually learning about how they actually work.

I shoot a variety of calibers, I purchased a barrel in 6.5 bore and it sat for a few years. My initial intention was to build a 6.5-06AI, but after all was said and done, I had it built into a 260, with the option of AI it at a later date. OMG you would have thought I had denounced my citizenship or something. All I heard was WHY NOT A CREEDMOOR? This came from just about everyone I shot with. Thing is, I have it throated to allow long high BC bullets to be used. It is on a Rem 7 action so they would need to be single loaded but can be effectively used. It shoots great groups with them. That said, I load Hornady 140gr spire points over AA-4350 and go along my merry way. At just over 2800fps they do all i need done out to 400yds and some change. I also have the advantage of utilizing my abundant amount of 308 brass as needed.

My point is, I'm pretty much in alignment with the OP with regard to the ultra high BC bullets and hunting. Whether or not they make a hill of beans difference is up to the shooter to decide. I'd rather spend the same money buying 100 bullets rather than 50 to accomplish the same thing. I'm old school, if I need flatter, or further and/or faster, I go with my 25-06AI and 120-135gr bullets or the 7 STW running around a 150-160gr. I know their drops intimately and recoil is negligible. Both get there rather quick with plenty if power to take out anything I'm liable to have come out.

 

[OS/N]

The 6.5 c should be fine with the right bullets and operator. Match bullets are not designed for hunting though - this I can tell you because I've tried em. A pointed soft point designed for the size game your hunting and the velocity of your cartridge will give the best results.

The more accurate the rig is and the more proficient you are with it the better but bullet choice is still a big factor.