I have been trying to find out why certain bullets do well out of my gun ( RRA LAR-8 ) and others do not rather than blindly buying bullets and testing at the range. I believe I found the paradox of semi-autos and bullets. The paradox has to do with the shape of the front of the bullet (Olgive) and COAL and magazine coal capacity. So semi-autos( AR or variant) have short magazines( they don't allow long bullets). Recent advances in bullet design have yielded bullets like the VLD Bergers and SMK, these have a secant Olgive ( means they need a long bullet to engage the lands and grooves of the barrel) But here's the paradox we cannot fully take benefit from a increased COAL because of our magazine dimensions, means that the bullet in a semi-autos will not be engaging the lands and grooves properly. By Contrast due to the tangent Olgive of a Nosler spritzer type bullet that can engage the lands and grooves more earlier at a shorter (COAL) that our magazines support because of its tangent olgive. IMHO this means that in general bullets with a secant Olgive will not fly as designed from my semi-autos until I get longer magazines or a redesign of the chamber(headspace). I think a very subtle change is all that's required, and as always I may be way over my head on the science here and be making bad assumptions. Anybody that cares to wade in is welcome.
Last edit: 11 years 3 days ago by Libertarian623. Reason: So it will add to the LAR-8 data here
That is a good summary of my understanding of the issue. The price we pay for having a 20 round mag is not being able to fully utilize the highest BC bullets available. The twist comes into play here as well. I think you can rule some bullets out from the start using this but nothing beats the actual testing in YOUR rifle.
I get lousy results with factory match ammo using the 175 gr. SMK but I got some nice tight groups with the same bullet in some lower power loads with the same COL I loaded myself. So many variables, so little time and money........... :usa:
Thanks for wading in JT. I was reading some stuff that is really making my head hurt. Also got me thinking about getting a 338 lapua, to play with. I seem to be gravitating towards making longer and longer shots. Also while I am posting ( have been working like crazy, not by choice SAR) I did intend on taking that 1-1.2K shot in the next couple of days it was just put off due to work getting in the way of fun.
Thanks JT I had not seen that model. I had been hearing about the 416 but figured to wait awhile until someone else other than factory shooters wrote a review before passing judgement. BTW Ronnie should be classified a national treasure.
I didn't see any clip fed bolt gun yet but that can't be far off if the cartridge gains popularity. Here are some interesting comparisons with the .50BMG round;
www.barrett.net/ammunition/416barrett
Ammo is about $6.50 a shot though, better make it count!
So all that work on the 175 SMK's could be out the window! I'm going to keep my eyes out for these "hybrids". I usually scan right past the Berger's due to price but they sound like the ticket for our AR-10's and the restrictive COL on them.
Great explanation on the chart and the video, Thanks, Colt!
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