Tapered bullets vs straight-sided

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Hello, I hope everyone is well.

I’m looking for alternatives to the hexagonal bullets for my Whitworth, and I’ve seen some moulds described as tapered.

Ballistically speaking, what attributes do tapered bullets have as opposed to straight sided?
 
Widows Son

I assume that you are still trying to chase accuracy with this rifle? I got to hand it to you. You are working hard at it and not a quitter.

Fleener
 
Tapered, if I follow you correctly, might be for allowing the bullet to start into the bore free, then engrave the rifling on the way down?
No need with a known bore diameter.
Whitworth Hex&Smooth conicals were not tapered.
 
Tapered, if I follow you correctly, might be for allowing the bullet to start into the bore free, then engrave the rifling on the way down?
No need with a known bore diameter.
Whitworth Hex&Smooth conicals were not tapered.
Hi mate
I think it means the projectiles taper towards the ogive.
My LEM mould has a slight taper (but the bullets are woefully inaccurate).
 
Hi mate
I think it means the projectiles taper towards the ogive.
My LEM mould has a slight taper (but the bullets are woefully inaccurate).
I’ve seen Alexander Henry ‘Cartridge’ molds that were tapered toward the ojive… I believe this facilitated loading into a fouled chamber/throat.
 
Personally, I dont think that this will help you with your ML. BUT I make that comment and I have never tried it.

Did you get your new sights for it? If so, did that help?

Fleener
 
Hello, I hope everyone is well.

I’m looking for alternatives to the hexagonal bullets for my Whitworth, and I’ve seen some moulds described as tapered.

Ballistically speaking, what attributes do tapered bullets have as opposed to straight sided?
sir i am using an unmentionable (.357cal air rifle) it shoots these 125gr tapered slugs , they shoot real sweet outa my rifle, dont make a sound traveling down the rifling, and at the back there is a thin flat area like a banded gas check but its just how it formed, makes the thing fly really well. cant say how since the majority of the weight is on the tail end, hence tapered , smaller in front than iin the rear. i absolutly love those in that particular rifle. that is why i am trying to find a mold for .495 that can make a tapered bullet at that diameter. have you ever heard of one?(lee r.e.a.l.320gr will work but the 250 version is too big of diameter, rather have tapered instead .
 
goodness what an interesting idea, someone told me i could just take rb at .510 and use a press and die and size those to .495 and it will be like a solid bullet and not a round for my barrel. hmmm
 
Personally, I dont think that this will help you with your ML. BUT I make that comment and I have never tried it.

Did you get your new sights for it? If so, did that help?

Fleener
I put the Pedersoli English Creedmore tang sight and a tunnel front sight that takes inserts and is windage adjustable. Yes, I has helped quite a bit. My eyes just couldn’t get a good enough sight picture with the stock military sights. Now I can pretty much keep all the bullets in the 8 inch black circle at 100 meters.
I also had the barrel bedded and things are improving. I’m still working hard on it. An afternoon spent under the tutelage of someone like you or Mark or Rick would be invaluable. For the moment I must rely on generous advice relayed by phone or email or forum.
 
Ballistically speaking, what attributes do tapered bullets have as opposed to straight sided?
Possibly referring to dual diameter bullets? I have one I use in black powder cartridge rifle - the rear portion is groove diameter but the front portion is bore diameter. It allows the bullet to be seated a long way out of the cartridge case, increasing capacity. Not necessary for muzzle loading. The ‘old’ pickett bullets were extremely tapered, with little bearing surface, needed false muzzles and fitted ramrods to try and keep them aligned when loading.

Did you see the advert for Whitworth moulds by Glenn at LEM Moulds? He shows his new hex moulds in this thread, but does also sell cylindrical moulds.

David
 
Perhaps we need to come to AU for a few weeks? I have not seen Mark since the World matches in AU. Or come to Oakridge next year. Rick puts on a great match. I would loan you everything you need to shoot the match with, including a pint or two.


Fleener
 
Have you tried shooting from something like a lead sled? I don't really like them much, but they do work well to see what the rifle can do.

If you shoot a 3 shot group at 100M from a solid rest, no sticks, no wrist rest, no slings what kind of group do you get now?

Fleener
 
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