Kelly, it seems the primary reason for tapered bullets is to make the bullet easier to insert into the rifling for breech seating. As far as "tapered" is concerned, look at this 32-40 bullet design from Accurate moulds and notice how the bands gradually increase in diameter. (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

oneatatime wrote Today at 4:01pm:


Another reason is for accuracy. I can breech seat straight bullets but I don't because I get superior accuracy with tapered bullets. 
When a correct fitting tapered bullet is used the minor diameter rides on the lands while the major diameter engages the entire bore to groove diameter. There are shooters out there who claim they get better accuracy with straight bullets and certainly that is the case for them. I have experimented with both, the tapered bullet wins every time. And it's easier to breech seat, bonus.