What are the main differences re trajectory, accuracy and impact between a soft point round like these and an equivalent polymer tipped version?
So you found the accustoms less accurate? I would have thought the ballistic tips would be more accurate than a soft point.The only way you'll find out is by shooting some through your rifle. I've tried them on the range although not yet on live quarry. For what it's worth, through my CZ 550 they shoot to the same POA as Norma 100gn SP and produce a 1 inch group at 100 metres. The only ballistic tip comparison I can give you is with Remington 95gn Accutips which produce a 3.5 inch group 2.5 inches above the POA through the same rifle.
So you found the accustoms less accurate? I would have thought the ballistic tips would be more accurate than a soft point.
just a thought on these but why do Gecco seem to make their rounds heavy for caliber, the .243 are 105 grains and the .223 I think are 58 seems very odd to stray from the mainstream common weights. That said they do seem pretty ok in use
As a general rule I have always got better results (accuracy) with conventional soft point or hollow point bullets than those with polymer noses but that's only in the loads that I use.
Blaire polymer tips on bullets serve three main purposes-
1) Makes the bullet more aerodynamic or streamlined which is mainly beneficial for shooting at extended ranges (better ballistic coefficient). Also low in mass thereby concentrating the greater part of the mass towards the rear of the bullet making the bullet more stable in flight.
2) Can be designed to initiate bullet expansion in what can basically be a hollow point bullet (not all polymer tipped bullets are legally regarded as expanding) over a wide range of velocities acting very much like the plug in the old Dum Dum bullet.
3) Polymer is a durable material that will resist nose damage such as when subjected to heavy recoil in a magazine.
The use of polymer tips on bullets doesn’t make them any more or any less accurate than bullets of other designs. In fact many bullet manufacturers have designs that don’t use polymer tips and claim vastly superior accuracy.
So you found the accustoms less accurate? I would have thought the ballistic tips would be more accurate than a soft point.
Very useful, thanks. Re 1) so really, if you are going to shoot deer out to say, 200yards, the polymer tips are not much help?
Without generalising too much I would say not really, it's just another way of finishing off the nose of the bullet. As Bandit says the only way to find out if they are accurate in your rifle is to shoot them. No one else can tell you if a particular round will be accurate in your rifle as every rifle is different. Often shooters are pleasantly surprised when the cheapest "nastiest" ammo performs well and are totally surprised and most upset when ammo that has cost them an arm and a leg just won't perform in their rifle.
What do you call bulk? I've never come across a dealer that wouldn't sell you a box of 20 unless they have had to make a special order because they don't normally stock it and order it in. In which case there is normally a minimum order of say 200 or so from the importers, sometimes more than that. Most good dealers will have a selection of brands in the more popular calibres.
Edit.
You weren't asking about buying a mixed box of only 20 rounds were you? I've never heard of that.
thanks Andrew, will definitely give that a try. I've been told 70-90 g is best for my Remy, which is a 9.5in twist but would like to try a few different grains firstblaire
try down here in kent, chris potter sells 243 ammo, as does wilson and wilson, kent wool growers and countryways gunshop - I'd phone first to find out what they have and how many.
I am in the same boat as you I think - Im trying some Geco 105gr sp and some federal 100gr sp to see how they perform in my 243
Andrew