Meplat: how much is too much?

[gofastman]

Im looking at one of two mold designs for my new .454 SRH
the Accurate Molds #45-360C (http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-360C-D.png) or the Accurate Molds#45-360V (http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-360V-D.png)
they have 82% (.37") and 86% (.39") meplats, respectively.


Is there such a thing as too much meplat?

[RobS]

I think you'll be fine with the 82% meplat. I believe the typical WFN is 80% and a LFN is 72%. I run in between @ 75% for my 45 Cal designs with a slight lean toward the LFN meplat diameter. Many have had great accuracy from WFN designs, the Lee 452-300-RF is such a design as is the LBT WFN, Cast Performance WFN etc. I prefer a LFN style design because it doesn't drop off as quickly in my Lever Action rifles and now a days I also prefer a tangent nose profile over a secant, especially for revolvers since the nose starts to engrave the rifling sooner.

[Buckshot]

............In a revolter you can have all the meplate you'd like, unless you're trying for a record using speedloaders :-)

................Buckshot

[runfiverun]

you can but the flat ones seem to not have accuracy at distance.
look at a wadcutter, 75 yds or so and it's done, especially at velocity.
70% or so is good nuff with me.

[cbrick]

Depends on your max intended range. If everything will fired at 50 yards or less you won't have too much meplat.

I've never played with meplats over about 72% myself but from the testing of those that have such as Glen Fryxell, Veral etc., for accuracy much past 50 yards meplats larger than 72% and the accuracy drops off rapidly. Velocity will also drop off more quickly.

Rick

[Marlin Junky]

Veral Smith coined the term, Ogival Wadcutter. I'm not sure he's still cutting them but he claimed accuracy at handgun velocities to 100 yards or a bit further. I believe, without digging through old reference material, Veral's OWC was a 90% meplat.

Personally, I don't see the point in "bleeding" off velocity that abruptly. A 70% meplat at velocity v will make approximately the same size wound as an 80% meplat at v - 200fps (rough estimates to illustrate a concept). So unless you're stuck with a low velocity handgun with limited range, take advantage of the better aerodynamics of a smaller meplat. In other words, considering the .454, I'd go with the 82% meplat.

MJ

[375RUGER]

I would think if you went greater than 100% of boolit diameter it might not be a good thing:kidding:

[Red Sky]

I would think if you went greater than 100% of boolit diameter it might not be a good thing:kidding:

The right hardness and you get all the aerodynamics of the smaller one and end up with over 100% when you need it most ;)

[Piedmont]

Veral Smith coined the term, Ogival Wadcutter. I'm not sure he's still cutting them but he claimed accuracy at handgun velocities to 100 yards or a bit further. I believe, without digging through old reference material, Veral's OWC was a 90% meplat.
MJ

Veral claims a lot of things. When I couldn't get my ogival wadcutter to shoot well I wrote to him. He determined my sizing die plug must be out of perpendicular so he fixed the plug for me for a small fee. Also, he or I determined there just must be a barrel constriction causing the M624 not to shoot it well.

So I firelapped a bunch and used my new squared plug. Neither helped. It will shoot other bullet designs well. The ogival WC did OK at 25 yds. (3-4" 25 yd 5shot groups, not well enough for me) but shot in feet at 100 yds. I think there is a reason it isn't in his catalog anymore.

It shot a little better cranked up out of a .44 magnum but I didn't buy it for loading fast.

[Adam10mm]

The .358 WFN I cast has a .280 meplat for a 78% ratio.

[happie2shoot]

I think
WFN is .90 under boolit dia.
LFN is .125 under boolit dia.

I have shoot both of them so far that if I told you how far
you would call me a lyer or a lier.

[MBTcustom]

I would think if you went greater than 100% of boolit diameter it might not be a good thing:kidding:

Took the words right out of my mouth.:mrgreen:
Dang.

[David2011]

I would think if you went greater than 100% of boolit diameter it might not be a good thing:kidding:

Exactly what I thought. ;)

David

[gofastman]

im leaning toward the .39 meplat right now for a few reasons:

1. I have zero need to shoot past 100 yards.

2. Im thinking the larger one will give a slightly better terminal effect

3. the larger one should cut a slightly cleaner hole in paper

am I on track here?

[Marlin Junky]

It shot a little better cranked up out of a .44 magnum but I didn't buy it for loading fast.

Logically, isn't that what you'd expect... after all, it's all about stabilization.

MJ

[Marlin Junky]

am I on track here?

No... why would you spend all that money on custom design that has a higher probability of being less accurate than the other selection?

#45-360V looks virtually like a nose heavy wadcutter but it's your money.

MJ

BTW, how fast are you planning to push these designs and at what pressure... I just realized neither have gascheck shanks.

[bearcove]

im leaning toward the .39 meplat right now for a few reasons:

1. I have zero need to shoot past 100 yards.

2. Im thinking the larger one will give a slightly better terminal effect

3. the larger one should cut a slightly cleaner hole in paper

am I on track here?

I guess you would need to define what you are shooting with it.

#1 100 yards is a long way off hand with iron sights, not bad off bench with a 6X scope.

#2 Terminal effect on what is the question. For Moose or brown bear penatration becomes more important to me. For 110 lb whitetails not so much.

#3 Does a clean hole matter? Unless you need it for match scoring this might have little value. They all make holes.

[gofastman]

Im thinking 1300-1400 FPS.
Ill be using a plain base soda can gas check

[softpoint]

I would think if you went greater than 100% of boolit diameter it might not be a good thing:kidding:

That right there is funny...Would make the rounds hard to chamber, wouldn't it? Seating and crimping could be a challenge.....:bigsmyl2:

[bearcove]

Im thinking 1300-1400 FPS.
Ill be using a plain base soda can gas check

Are you shooting elk , moose or beer bottles you toss out?

[nanuk]

Are you shooting elk , moose or beer bottles you toss out?


how do you cook up beer bottles?

[bearcove]

You need to cook them HOT With a LOT of CHILI!

[gofastman]

Are you shooting elk , moose or beer bottles you toss out?

beer bottles for sure, pumpkins, pop cans, etc. I do want to try to get my first deer (whitetail) with it.
eventually maybe something bigger.

sounds like most of the people here think the smaller of the two meplat designs would be better :confused:

[waksupi]

I would say that people are telling you either will work.

[gofastman]

hmm, i think ill still go with the smaller of the two designs.

I can use a softer alloy on the tip for small(ish) game, beer bottles, etc.
and hardcast it for use on cape buffalo when I finally afford that trip to Africa in 30 years :bigsmyl2:

best of both worlds!