Joe, 
Good you have those slightly shorter bullets for better stability in those slower twist barrels,especially the shorter one.
FWIW, Jim Kluskens won the Lodi Midwest Midrange 
Regional (300,500,600yds) with his 1.25" long dual diameter Elliptical PP bullet from his 18 twist 40-65. It also shot well for him over at Alma, MI in BPTR Sillywet. Knocked down the Rams very well.
This length is ideal for the 18 twist 40 cals. 
beltfed/arnie

This is Ron Longs 40 cal bullets, from my mold it's for a .408 grooved barrel (top). the bottom is the .408 groove bullet enlarged for .410 barrels.

The one  with the .180 meplat is one that I drew for a forum member so, that he could get it made at Accurate Molds. If you look on their site, you'll find the one he had made.

Brooks can make the .110 meplat bullet, using these drawings. 

I drew the bullets with a radius groove, because that's what I prefer, they where originally tapered grooves but, the depth is the same.

Frank

Duly noted that the ron long design does have the first band at 0.403. "kind of towards land" diameter.
and then 0.406.   

Bottom line is they are both stable in the twists he lists and the heavier bullet is a little more so should be better at longer range - just. But you knew that.

Mike, 
I do agree with you about not needing firewalling loads for
100,200 yds bench shooting.
That is part of the reason I am suggesting you look at lighter bullets such as mine.  Light recoil, etc.
My comments on the 409410M4 Kidwell bullet is its great
success and the fact that you are ordering from Buffalo arms. It could be loaded light for your short range use.
Go on line to Buffaloarms.com to look up the bullet.
Its essentially the same as your M2, but with three reduced front drive bands.
Otherwise, I would be happy to provide a drg of my 370 gr Elliptical profile Minigroove tapered bullet. Earlier, I was shooting it over only 70 gr Swiss 1.5 in fireformed (from 45-70 Rem) cases- about 1375fps and accurate in 16 twist.
Steve Brooks cut mine and one for Cliff Gregg so far.
beltfed/arnie

What alloy are you using when you have the tapered bullets? and for the DDEPP?
I have a 40-65 with 1-18" twist and have so far had the best results with the RCBS 40-400 BPS

Attach a pic from last competition 6shots 100m prone with sling

BTW, Swede,
That is very good shooting esp prone/sling
beltfed/arnie

When you purchase a rifle you need to find the length of bullet that best matches the rifle barrel twist.

The Miller Gyroscopic Stability caluculator lets you check out potential bullet moulds before you purchase them.

Faster spinning bullets are better than slower bullets so I choose bullets with a Sg of 1.8 to 1.9 using the velocity I intend to shoot and using normal weather conditions.

That way if I shoot at higher elevations, or if the weather pressure changes or the temperature changes My bullet will still provide great accuracy because it will be within the gyroscopic spin zone that is suitable for my barrel's rifle twist.

If you are close to 1.4 your bullet may perform well but will begin to tumble with certain weather changes or at greater distances (because it is not spinning fast enough).


Many people are successsful overspinning their bullets (Sg> 2.0) but again stability and accuracy can become less stable as weather conditions change.


Yes you can test a bullet mould under ideal conditions and it may perform well - at least until the weather conditions change.


For the best performance it is best to find a bullet that has the right bullet length for your barrel's twist to provide a spin that will be accurate under all weather conditions.

The ideal spin is when you have a Sg between 1.4 and 2.0 however top successful shooters generally shoot bullets in their rifles that are closer to 2.0 or just over 2.0 for long range shooting (>1,000 yards).


With a new rifle you can determine the barrel twist.
Next step is to assess bullet moulds you are interested in purchasing using their bullet weight and bullet length in the Miller Gyroscopic formula.

It will advise you which ones are definitely acceptable for your rifle's barrel.

That way you will end up purchasing fewer bullet moulds to test - since it will eliminate some that may not have the appropriate spin in your barrel's twist.