bullet loaded backwards

[Romeyo]

I'm wondering if anybody has tried to work up a load with a bullet loaded backwards for subsonic shooting?
It came to my mind since the ideal subsonic bullet (considering drag) would have a teardrop shape so turning around a very heavy scenar/smk/vld might increase BC at subsonic speeds.
Whats also interesting is that it likely also increases stability since the center of gravity (cg) would then be further to the front and center of pressure (cp) would also be nearer to cg. This would result in less momentum of the air trying to turn the bullet over.

Downsides:
Since the "boattail" would be exceptional long it woudl be better to work up loads with low pressures at the muzzle since this reversed ogive gives a large working surface for disturbances at the muzzle, although pressures are typically not that high compared to supersonic calibers.

Terminal ballistics will change significantly I guess. A typical scenar will act more like a FMJ since because of the jacket beeing closed at the "boat tail end" and a FMJ will likely act like a HP.
HP bullets might give interesting results with a drilled hole at the boattail end and/or cut serrations.

Just my thoughts, maybe inspiring to someone? ^^

Martin

[BWE Firearms]

Boatail bullets designed for supersonic use do work much better back wards for subsonic loads, but they don't feed worth a dam. I have loaded some bullets back wards to try them but I have not yet worked up any loads specifically for backward facing bullets. I always try to get subsonic loads with the lowest muzzle pressure possible to help the suppressor work better.

[Romeyo]

Cool. Can't wait to get my .338BR done in a few months. Definately will give this a try.
Another thing I remembered is that high BC HP bullets typically have a cavity at the tip thats not lead filled due to manufacturing techniques I guess.
I'm kinda afraid pressure would deform that very tip wenn loaded backwards causing BC inconsistency or assymetric dispersions? Any experience with that?

Martin

[jimpa]

Originally Posted by Romeyo

Cool. Can't wait to get my .338BR done in a few months. Definately will give this a try.
Another thing I remembered is that high BC HP bullets typically have a cavity at the tip thats not lead filled due to manufacturing techniques I guess.
I'm kinda afraid pressure would deform that very tip wenn loaded backwards causing BC inconsistency or assymetric dispersions? Any experience with that?

Martin

I dont think that would happen, those SMKs are really tuff, shoot a 220gr into a pce of seasoned beech log, it penetrated 7 inches, we split the log and its still embeded w/o any deformaty.. Igt looks like it could be loaded and shot again,,, FWIW.

[HUNTER2]

Backwards makes a perfect round hole at sub speeds. My plinking load is a 180 Speer bt backwards. Terrific coyote medicine. Very accurate. Tried the Nosler bt because it had a bigger base- bigger round hole- acc stank. Found out the bullets were actually stretching causing a wasp waist effect. Also shoot a 300 Hornady hp in a 454 c. backwards. Excellent acc and a big hole. 180's Speer in a 357 handi rifle. Best load I have found for this looong throated thing..And it is not in bragging territory. Either single shots or bolt guns. This was even used during WWII for rifle sub loads. You probably already know this, but-work up a load without the suppressor. It is a sick feeling seeing a baffle strike!

[Expatriot]

Terminal ballistics will change significantly I guess. A typical scenar will act more like a FMJ since because of the jacket beeing closed at the "boat tail end" and a FMJ will likely act like a HP.
HP bullets might give interesting results with a drilled hole at the boattail end and/or cut serrations.

No conventional bullet is gonna expand at subsonic velocity no matter what you do to it. The flat base presented by a reversed boat tail will actually cut a better passage through flesh than the pointed end of a spitzer

[Alleycat]

"Conventional" being the key word.

[Mike Bell]

what about thin jacketed varmitt bullets?