BT vs FB Bullets

James M.

James M.

New member
When I began shooting short range BR in 1997, the vast majority of the shooters shot FB bullets. The most popular barrels were Hart and Shilen (both button rifled). Now, it seems that BT bullets are used as much (or more) than the FB. Also, the most common barrels seen are the Kriegers and Bartleins (both cut-rifled). Is there a correlation to the fact that more BT's are being used in the cut-rifled barrels? Just curious as to other opinions. James
 
James M. said:
When I began shooting short range BR in 1997, the vast majority of the shooters shot FB bullets. The most popular barrels were Hart and Shilen (both button rifled). Now, it seems that BT bullets are used as much (or more) than the FB. Also, the most common barrels seen are the Kriegers and Bartleins (both cut-rifled). Is there a correlation to the fact that more BT's are being used in the cut-rifled barrels? Just curious as to other opinions. James
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I don't know about cut vs. buttoned on the barrel side. Current match reports favor cut by a big margin.

As to bullets ask any seasoned shooter, they either swear by BT's or hate them. One thing for sure BT's are easier to get started straight in the case especially on powders where high neck tension is used.
 
James M. said:
When I began shooting short range BR in 1997, the vast majority of the shooters shot FB bullets. The most popular barrels were Hart and Shilen (both button rifled). Now, it seems that BT bullets are used as much (or more) than the FB. Also, the most common barrels seen are the Kriegers and Bartleins (both cut-rifled). Is there a correlation to the fact that more BT's are being used in the cut-rifled barrels? Just curious as to other opinions. James
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Here's an opinion, from someone we all recognize:

"I have found that boat tail bullets tend to perform better with cut-rifled barrels, whereas flat based bullets prefer button rifling"

Tony Boyer, page 259, third paragraph down, COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF BARRELS, THE BOOK OF RIFLE ACCURACY :)
 
James I found your thoughts very interesting and similar to mine, I have been thinking about this for a while and it does seem to me, there is some merit to the approach of flat base bullets performing better in Button Rifled barrels while boat tails seem to like the cut rifling? I guess time will tell, and maybe it's the way the bullets of choice are tuned, still glad you posted the topic and I look forward to reading Tony's book, as well as reading all the great info here. Thanks, and glad to be back after a long absence/layoff.
 
abintx said:
Here's an opinion, from someone we all recognize:

"I have found that boat tail bullets tend to perform better with cut-rifled barrels, whereas flat based bullets prefer button rifling"

Tony Boyer, page 259, third paragraph down, COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF BARRELS, THE BOOK OF RIFLE ACCURACY :)
Click to expand...

Fwiw, I watched over Tony's shoulder last October as he layed down an amazing UL agg that was near a world record at the NBRSA Nationals. Barrel was a Bartlein (cut), bullets were Berger columns (FB). Looked like it was working pretty well to me! You coulda taken all 8 targets with 80 shots and layed them over one another and his group would probably have still been in the .2's!
 
Perhaps the recent upsurge in BT usage has been at least partially due to the advent of short BTs, referring to the length of that part of the bullets, not the bullet itself. A well known bullet maker once told me that you cannot just make good BTs with just any point die, even though it makes good FBs. I think that this speaks to the issue of balance, and proportions of ogive, bearing area, and BT.

Years back, referring to factory barrels, I wrote a small piece asking why some barrels seem not to like BT bullets. It got a large response, and the consensus seemed to be that for a barrel to shoot BTs well, that it needed to be more dimensionally uniform throughout its length. I have been told that cut barrels are primarily lapped for finish, and that this is in contrast to buttoned barrels that are lapped for both finish and dimensions, which would seem to allow for more barrel to barrel variation. Perhaps these differences in process are behind both the ascendency of button barrels in competition, and the increase in use of BT bullets. But of course, that is mere speculation.
 
I know for myself that i have a hard time finding a good solid tune with BT bullets. I can sit at my bench scratching my head wondering what to try next while shooting BT bullets. The only solution i have found is to switch to my favorite FB bullet, and the rifle comes right around! I guess i just dont know how to shoot the dam things!! Lee
 
I agree with Butch. That said, most of my rifles wear Shilens or Harts and they like FBs. I've tried BTs and while they shoot they don't hold with the flat bases....at least in my button barrels.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
 
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