17/12/2024
Bullet pointing for FTR competition; is it worth it?
This is a very common question I've gotten over the years. The answer is in terms of BC increase, and BC uniformity. Modern Advancements in Long Range Shooting - Volume 2 has a chapter dedicated to extensive testing done on .224-.338 caliber bullets to measure the effects of pointing (and trimming) on BC and BC uniformity.
This post answers the question in a different way; in terms of hit % within the 10 ring on the 1000 yard F class target.
A common bullet for FTR is the Berger .308 caliber 200.20X Hybrid. This bullet has a G7 BC of 0.328 out of the box, and is often pushed around 2650 fps in long barreled 308's.
According to our testing, the average BC of this bullet increases about 4% when pointed, and an increase in uniformity of 20% (meaning the BC SD is 20% less for pointed bullets).
Using these parameters, the modeling in the graphic was done assuming a 3 mph wind bracket, 5 fps MV SD, and 0.6 MOA average 5-shot groups at 100 yards.
As it turns out, the hit % on the 10-inch 10-ring is improved from 89% for unmodified bullets, to 91% for the pointed bullets. Roughly 9/10 shots in a 10" circle.
Those are both scores of 198-?x, with the pointed bullets being a little inside. Statistically, that 2% difference should round up to a point every 50 shots.
That may not sound like a lot. However, in a long tournament, the winners are often decided by less than 1 point (x-count). For example, a weekend tournament may be comprised of a 3x1000 on Saturday, and a 2x1000 on Sunday, for a total of 5 matches, 20 shots each, 100 shots total. This analysis predicts that, all else being equal, you should score 2 points higher with pointed bullets than non-pointed, over the 100-shot course of fire.
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