bcp477
09-14-2008, 08:52 PM
I performed an informal test today, to see if tail twisting vs. flat, folded bases on my paper patched bullets made any difference. I fired 30 of each, alternating in 5 shot strings, at targets placed in tandem, from my range bag rest. The rifle: my ole reliable M48....the cartridge: 8 x 57JS. The load was, of course, identical for all 60 rounds.....my "standard" 28.0 grains of IMR-4064, cotton wool filler, with a 170 grain PP bullet (sized to .314", then patched with two wraps of plain lined paper....for a dry dia. of .3237"), etc. etc. Half of the bullets had twisted tails, clipped off after drying (my usual procedure). For the other half, the patches were cut to about 1/8" long, then folded over flat onto the bullet bases....and dried that way. Both sets were lubed with Lee Liquid Alox (as per my usual procedure). The distance used was 100 meters.
Anyway, the long and short of it was.....there was no discernible difference. Over 60 rounds, I could not make any conclusion that one wrapping technique was any better than the other.....at least, not in my rifle, with that load. Groups for both types ranged from about 1" to about 1 1/2"... pretty typical for this load and rifle.
So, the only conclusion I can draw, if any, is that the controversy about flat folded vs. twisted tails likely has NO one absolute answer. One procedure may work better for some calibers or cartridges than the other....but, not necessarily for all. Certainly, this test is anything but conclusive...and should in NO way be deemed as proving anything. However, at least within the very narrow context of MY particular rifle and MY particular loads, I know now that no one can insist with any credibility that there IS any difference. So, for my purposes, that is good enough.
Anyway, the long and short of it was.....there was no discernible difference. Over 60 rounds, I could not make any conclusion that one wrapping technique was any better than the other.....at least, not in my rifle, with that load. Groups for both types ranged from about 1" to about 1 1/2"... pretty typical for this load and rifle.
So, the only conclusion I can draw, if any, is that the controversy about flat folded vs. twisted tails likely has NO one absolute answer. One procedure may work better for some calibers or cartridges than the other....but, not necessarily for all. Certainly, this test is anything but conclusive...and should in NO way be deemed as proving anything. However, at least within the very narrow context of MY particular rifle and MY particular loads, I know now that no one can insist with any credibility that there IS any difference. So, for my purposes, that is good enough.