How to Reload today’s longer bullets

The rifle bullet industry is undergoing a significant change that will not go away. Bullets are getting longer, ogives have flattened out, and due to the shift away from lead core designs, our traditional bullet weights are also growing in length. For long-range shooters, the higher ballistic coefficient provided by the longer bullet is important enough that entire cartridge families have been designed to accommodate it. Reloaders can face challenges when loading these longer bullets due to the bearing surface. Let’s examine some of the issues and solutions. We must adapt as reloaders. My first experience with longer and wider bullets, as well as a larger bearing surface, was with the first version of the Barnes X Bullets. I loved the idea of monometal construction, with no separate parts to separate. But the bullets didn’t group very well in my rifles and the copper fouling sucked. I could not figure out why the load data I used was also not working. I felt a sense of relief when Barnes introduced the TSX or Triple Shock X Bullet. The new bullet has three grooves in the shank to reduce bearing surface. This reduces pressure, and also copper fouling. The pressures generated by the Barnes line dropped dramatically, and the load data was adjusted accordingly. California has banned the use and sale of lead bullets and lead-cored bullets. This has had a significant impact on the market for this type of bullet. Nearly all major bullet manufacturers now offer a line of lead-free bullets, and more are being added each year. The bullet’s stability can be compromised if the center of gravity is shifted backward. The most common twist rate will not stabilize a lead-free projectile weighing 140 grains. This is why the 129 and 130 grain monometal bullets are so popular in 6.5mm cartridges. It’s okay, though, because terminal performance is often so good that the hunter doesn’t have to worry about it. For example, a 180 grain bullet has been a popular choice for.300 Magnums. However, you can see similar performance with a 165 grain monometal bullet. A 130-grain 6.5mm slug is not much different from a 140-grain lead-core slug. A 250- or 270 grain monometal bullet for a.375 H&H, or.375 Ruger, has no flies. Modern lead-core bullets that are designed for long-range hunts can have radically differing profiles compared to flat-based spitzers and may require a different load data. If you compare a Nosler Partition 200-grain with a Federal Terminal Ascent 200-grain, you will see that the classic Partition has more bearing surface. The sleeker Terminal Ascent also has a longer ogive and a boat-tail. The ELD-X, ELD Match and Berger VLD and hybrid bullets, Sierra MatchKings, and Tipped MatchKings all have a unique bearing area when compared to traditional shaped projectiles. Many reloading guides will include data for this type, even though they are sometimes grouped together by weight. The 205-grain Berger Elite Hunter in.30 caliber has a long and sleek ogive. In the.300 Winchester Magnum cartridge, the reloader may have to consider the cartridge’s overall length. Photo: Massaro Media Group. I’ve also discovered that the true accuracy of these higher B.C. bullets is not realized at 100 yards, where so many of us reloaders do our accuracy testing. Bullets may not perform as well at 100 yards where many of us reloaders test accuracy. The bullets need time to “settle” down, and the group sizes measured in MOA may be different at 300 yards than at 100 yards. A regular seating plug can damage the meplat and defeat the purpose of using these bullets. Check your seating plug and, if need be, check with the manufacturer to purchase a “VLD” seating plug; it’ll be a game-changer.Additionally, some of these bullets will pose a challenge when trying to adhere to the prescribed cartridge overall length (C.O.L. You may find that the case is seated on the bullet shank instead of the ogive. This is an unacceptable situation, so you will have to either seat the bullet further out on the shank to the point where the casemouth is. or choose a different design. If you decide to exceed the published C.O.L. You’ll also need to ensure that the cartridge doesn’t contact the lands on your rifle, which can generate dangerous pressures. I do not believe that cartridge designers from a half century ago or earlier could have imagined the bullets of today and the advances in powder, barrels, and optics. It is important to know the limitations of each design and to stay within safe parameters. This includes using a bullet design that mates up to your rifle’s magazine and throat with causing a potentially dangerous situation. The next step is to download your free Storm Tactical printable target pack. This impressive target set contains 62 printable MOA targets with DOT drills for rifle and handgun ranges. 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