Squeaky 135 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Hello guys: I've been buying some match ammo lately and I have a question: what's the purpose of the tiny hole that's in the tip of match bullets? I'm the son of an aerospace engineer and I'm scratching my head. It seems like the regular pointed tips of other bullets are more streamlined and less drag inducing. Just wondering. I'm sure the tiny hole serves a purpose or else it wouldn't be there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james lambert 3,059 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 One thing is it changes the CG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
patriot 7,197 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 It's to give the bullet a solid base for the propellant gases to push on, plus it helps put more of the mass towards the rear for stability. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
XD45 7,124 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Good info here: http://ammo.net/bullet-type/open-tip-match 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
storm6490 2,768 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Have your kid explain it to you! It creates a beneficial drag. some also use this as a process to use multiple metals. It creates a drift around the bullet that is consistent and stable under differing temperatures, density etc. kinda like a big ass jet engine. those big things dont drag too much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ronin38 2,117 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Nothing whatsoever like a jet engine, as there is no intake of air at the front and no high-pressure jet propulsion out the back. The link from DS has a good explanation. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james lambert 3,059 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Have your kid explain it to you! It creates a beneficial drag. some also use this as a process to use multiple metals. It creates a drift around the bullet that is consistent and stable under differing temperatures, density etc. kinda like a big ass jet engine. those big things dont drag too much. Jims scratched his head and says.....WTF?? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
storm6490 2,768 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Have your kid explain it to you! It creates a beneficial drag. some also use this as a process to use multiple metals. It creates a drift around the bullet that is consistent and stable under differing temperatures, density etc. kinda like a big ass jet engine. those big things dont drag too much. Jims scratched his head and says.....WTF?? pointy and spinning bullet smashes into particles of air that vary in density, moisture and temperature. the spin makes the wind on the bullet move around. if you create a uniform wind, that spinning bullet looses a little fps but gains lots of stability in flight. kinda like putting feathers on an arrow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sdustin 578 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 It's to give the bullet a solid base for the propellant gases to push on, plus it helps put more of the mass towards the rear for stability. This The hole is actually a byproduct of the way the bullets are made. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
magsite20 1,664 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 on a 140 grain 6.5 mm match bullet there is only .005 Ballistic Coefficient difference between a open .580 and a tipped .585 bullet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IndyArms 10,186 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 From what I have always understood... the hole creates a small vortex pocket in the front of the projectile, the rest of the airflow, then streamlines around that tiny sphere of turbulence, in essence creating a perfect aerodynamically shaped "tip" to the projectile. It is similar in effect to why your truck gets BETTER gas mileage with the tailgate UP and not down... you create a vortex in the bed, the airflow over the cab, streamlines over that vortex, creating a nice, almost boat-tail shape to the back of your truck... Same with the hollowed tip of the projectile. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
XD45 7,124 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 The hole isn't there "for" anything. It's a side effect of the manufacturing process. It's there because the jacket has to be drawn from the tip or the base. A match bullet is more consistent if the jacket is drawn up from the base so the hole winds up at the tip. They squeeze the jacket down as much as possible so you wind up with a very small hole in the tip which has very little effect on the aerodynamics of the bullet. See the link I posted above. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james lambert 3,059 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 The hole isn't there "for" anything. It's a side effect of the manufacturing process. It's there because the jacket has to be drawn from the tip or the base. A match bullet is more consistent if the jacket is drawn up from the base so the hole winds up at the tip. They squeeze the jacket down as much as possible so you wind up with a very small hole in the tip which has very little effect on the aerodynamics of the bullet. See the link I posted above. Dont confuse people with facts Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HB of CJ 1,263 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 It is a result of the bullet manufacturing process and technique. It does no harm and is a result of getting the rest of the bullet nearly perfect. It does not affect ballistics and the tip is not that deformed by violent chambering of semi auto match rifles. HB of CJ (old coot) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
storm6490 2,768 Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 Nothing whatsoever like a jet engine, as there is no intake of air at the front and no high-pressure jet propulsion out the back. The link from DS has a good explanation. ROFL! Here is a great link. In the 1950s Sierra Bullets introduced its MatchKing, a 168-grain .30 caliber (7.62mm) open tip bullet designed to maximize accuracy. The open tip design employs a precision deep drawn jacket with lead inserted from the front tip and ogival forming from the open tip mouth. The result is better manufacturing control and more consistent quality than possible with traditional full metal jacket (FMJ) bullet designs formed from tip to base. http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=1262 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dogster 577 Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 Psssssh! Everybody knows its where the little pilot sits! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
XD45 7,124 Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 Psssssh! Everybody knows its where the little pilot sits! Which would explain the guided bullet story... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
termite 463 Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 NO NO NO, It's where you sprinkle a TINY bit of fairy dust, that way, when it hits your intended target, it's singing a happy song, question answered, next question please. I need to go to bed, 3 hours sleep last night, road trip and job today, my tired ass still hasn't got home yet, but I'll be available for more expert answers on Sunday. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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