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greg, two things are required for a long range bullet. one is that it can hold good verticle, which means consistent muzzle velocities and consistent b.c. kenny wasserburger reports holding 1 moa vert at i mile with black powder and pp bullets. the other is minimizing wind deflection as much as possible, simply done by using the highest b.c. possible, and maintaing good bullet stability. the brits used antimonial alloy in their bullets, and the americans used alloys from 11:1 to 14:1. in both cases this was done to maintain nose shape and length. if the nose sets back and stays straight, a b.c. loss occurrs, but if it sets back off centre, that comes with introduced instability which comes with a lowering of b.c. as well due to yawing, or even full tipping of the bullet. i have never shot past 1000 yds, but have found that a stability factor of 1.8 to 2.0 is optimum, due to wind shear effects, and possibly spin decay. in the transonic zone, the money nose and the elliptical require similar comeups for the same muzzle velocities, while subsonic ellipticals have less drop than similar moneys. velocity/trajectory figures suggest a b.c of around 0.5. 12:1 has less drop at 1000 yds by roughly 2 moa than 16:1, and similar figures comparing 16 and 20:1. cast bullets cannot maintain a nose length of more than 1.5 calibres, so this is what we have to work with. i have never had a bullet tumble, but some really long 40 cals have demonstrated slightly elongated holes at 600 to 700 yds, going back to round holes after that. the little step at the rear of your noses will move your centre of pressure forward, causing a greater overturning moment, and requiring a shorter bullet for the same twist than one with a smooth transition from the shank to the ogive. good luck with your experiments. please keep us in touch. keep safe, bruce.
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