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View Full Version : Retro fitting a ballistic tip


Big Al
11-27-2014, 01:08 PM
Guys,

Im wondering how easy it would be to machine a bullet nose and core to accept a plastic acetyl style ballistic tip? I have access to the appropriate machine tools and the skills to work to very close tolerances.

Has it been done safely already, can you buy the preformed tips etc or is this idea junk?

ramos
11-27-2014, 05:29 PM
Nothing wrong with the idea. It would just take time and patience if you have access to everything else. For my own uses, I am satisfied with what I can buy straight off the shelf. What are you working on?

Chickenthief
11-27-2014, 06:55 PM
From time to time Midway has loose tips.
I know of a guy at castboolits that did cast with a tip.

One question: Why?

You need to go way past 300yds to see the results of that little difference in BC.
Why not just point the bullets?

Big Al
11-27-2014, 08:48 PM
Im disappointed at the lack of any ballistic tips in the heavyweight 20 cals, I am planning a 20BR build but have heard mixed reports about 55gr Bergers not expanding well.

I don't think it would be too difficult to set up the lathe with a collet and tool to bore and face the bullet in one action to match up to a ballistic tip. Im just concerned about the structural integrity of the bullet and at present don't have access to any ready made tips.

Its maybe a long shot, I just wondered if it had been done successfully?

Chickenthief
11-27-2014, 09:35 PM
No expert here, but i would asume that if the void for the tip is made while the bullet is formed, it will be way better than mashined afterwards.
This is purely from a ballance point of wiev wich is paramount regarding long range shooting.

The Rem and Nosler 40gr both has tips but i suspect that you mean the 55gr Berger?

Heres what i would do as an experiment:
Take a few (Berger) bullets and:
Expand the HP (while holding the bullet in a collet)
Bore out the tip to remove 1½-2 grains of lead (while the bullet is still in the collet)
Tip the bullets to a point again (again doing this while the bullet is held in the collet)
Now you have made a fine tip that will collapse when it strikes anything.

It wont cost you more than an hour or two of your time. All you will need to make is an expander for the bullet hp and a tip with a cavity to point the bullet back again.

Big Al
11-27-2014, 09:52 PM
Good suggestion CT, I understand your method, in effect a more pronounced hollow point.

I guess I could turn my own tips if I really wanted to from polycarbonate or acetyl rod with a simple form tool just as an experiment.