New Ultra-High-BC, Solid Bullets from Warner Tool Company
Warner Tool Company (WTC) has introduced a new series of “Flat Line” ultra-high-BC bullets. These sleek, lathe-turned solids are some of the most perfectly-streamlined projectiles ever sold. The Ballistic Coefficients (BCs) of Flat Line projectiles are as much as 20% higher than other match bullets of similar caliber and weight. For example, the .30-caliber 200gr Flat Line bullet has a claimed G1 BC of 0.780. Compare that to 0.555 for the Sierra 200gr MatchKing and 0.622 for the Berger 200gr Hybrid.
The new Flat Line bullets all show extremely high Ballistic Coefficients for their weights:
| Caliber | Description |
Twist Rate |
3000-1500 fps | 3500-1500 fps | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1 BC | G7 BC | G1 BC | G7 BC | |||
| 30 | 155.5gr Palma | 10 | 0.553 | 0.285 | 0.576 | 0.290 |
| 30 | 175gr FTR | 10 | 0.678 | 0.340 | 0.694 | 0.348 |
| 30 | 200gr | 9 | 0.780 | 0.391 | 0.796 | 0.399 |
| 33 | 255.5gr LRBT | 10 | 0.814 | 0.400 | 0.834 | 0.411 |
WTC also claims that Flat Line bullets can be launched at faster velocities than other bullets of similar caliber and weight. In its marketing materials, WTC says that Flat Line bullets deliver “Higher velocities when compared with projectiles in its weight class [and] much higher velocity when compared with projectiles of similar BC.” For example, WTC claims that “the 155.5gr .30-caliber bullet has the velocity of a 125-135gr bullet [with] the BC of a 185-200gr bullet.” It will be interesting to see if these claims can be verified in field tests.
Here are comparative G1 BCs for a variety of large .30-caliber bullets:
Cal Zant of the Precision Rifle Blog has obtained some early-production Flat Line bullets from their designer, Josh Kunz. Zant has written a lengthy article explaining the design and features of the new Flat Line bullets. If you are considering ordering some of these new lathe-turned solids, you should definitely read Zant’s report.
READ Flat Line Bullets Product Report in Precision Rifle Blog.
These bullets were designed by Aerospace engineer Josh Kunz using advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate supersonic air flow around the bullets. Through the use of advanced modeling and precision CNC machining, Kunz has developed extremely uniform, ballistically “slippery” bullets that fly faster and flatter than other projectiles of similar weight/caliber.
Premium Pricing: Flat Line Bullets Cost $125 to $165 per Hundred
These new Flat Line solid bullets are pricey. The 155s cost $1.25 per bullet and the price goes up from there. If you need large quantities of projectiles for a week-long match, the cost can be daunting. One hundred fifty of the 200-grainers will set you back $435.00! Here is a price list for the new Flat Line bullets. All quantities are in boxes of 50. Pricing is introductory and subject to change.
| .30 Cal 155 grain | $62.50 per 50-ct box ($1.25 per bullet) |
| .30 Cal 180 grain | $67.50 per 50-ct box ($1.35 per bullet) |
| .30 Cal 200 grain | $72.50 per 50-ct box ($1.45 per bullet) |
| .338 Cal 255 grain | $82.50 per 50-ct box ($1.65 per bullet) |
Is the cost worth it? When you look at the overall expense of attending a major match, and the fact that the top places in big matches are sometimes are decided by a single point (or X-Count), some competitors will spend the extra money for these ultra-high BC solids.
For more details or to place an order, visit Warner-Tool.com, call WTC at (603) 352-9521, or email info [at] warner-tool.com. CLICK HERE for WTC Flat Line Bullets Data Sheet (PDF).
Photos and Comparison Chart copyright PrecisionRifleBlog.com. Story tip from EdLongrange.
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Tags: Alan Warner, ballistics, G1 BC, Josh Kunz, Lathe-Turned, Solid Bullets, Warner Tool
Yep, Could I afford them, Do they come with a guarantee of a world record? Price point is gonna need some solid pedigree on the podium!
How accurate are they?
Show me how they group.
Warner is not the first and will not be the last to market this type of bullet. To date, results for long range shooting have been mixed with no real advantage being shown over lead/copper bullets. In the 338 Lapua world there has been a move to fast twist and gain twist barrels to get consistent results.
Never say never, but the question is: where are the results.
“For example, WTC claims that ‘the 155.5gr .30-caliber bullet has the velocity of a 125-135gr bullet [with] the BC of a 185-200gr bullet.’ It will be interesting to see if these claims can be verified in field tests.”
Well why wouldn’t it? It’s solid copper or alloy, meaning MUCH lower density, so external shape can be formed much more aerodynamically for the same weight. Similar to the 155 Scenar just having less lead in the core, but in spades.
If the driving bands are well matched to the bore, they SHOULD be able to be driven very quickly.
The question in my mind, and in those of some well more experienced than I, is, as Terry said:
Will they shoot?
Others haven’t.
Their spec sheet shows an 8.75% improvement in G7 BC (3000-1500 fps)over the CEB MTAC_.338_254_MAX 254 gr copper solids at a 35.6% price premium.
If you have ever priced WTC dies, you won’t be too surprised by this premium.
Price always reflects technology. My concern is seating sensitivity. Will it take 500$ worth to tune them in? Seems like the long pointed high bc bullets typically are.
Al and some others were shooting these at our 1000Y practice a few weeks ago. The trace was flatter then anything ive seen. Seemed to group well.
Monolithic bullets. They may well perform as Al and Dan advertise, but will they be safe on all ranges? Some ranges do not allow monolithic bullets, so be careful where you go after making this investment. So, who will be the first one to “buy” a big score with these bullets?
Another monolithic bullet with a claimed BC higher than all the best Copper cup and lead core bullets.
When you shoot them the disappointment sets in when you realize that due to their lower density they don’t shoot as flat as claimed.
Bullets look almost like the theoretically perfect Sears-Haack body shape, so that’s cool.
Wasn’t it Lost River Ballistics had a similar idea? Ran into some business troubles, I think. Lutz Moeller also likes these javelin-type bullets.
Anybody know if they have a conventional boat tail, or what?
Look forward to seeing some real-world results.
These aren’t something you just try out without specifically throating a barrel for them. They are much longer and will require a faster twist to stabilize. I suppose you could shoot the the 155s in a 308 setup for 215/230s, but the entire concept is futile considering the 155s have a lower bc than the 200s.
Who knows? Maybe the price will drop to sane amount eventually and they will become a viable option.
At such time as someone can point to national records or national event wins under fugly conditions, my wallet will not open.
Those having REAL experience with the Warners realize they can put full confidence in what Al/Dan says. It’s quite obvious, ELR, you don’t own, and have never used one of the WTC dies! The quality of materials used, tolerances, machine work and craftsmanship= money.
Richard:
You are quite correct that I have never owned their dies. At one point I tried to engage with them for some dies and all I can say is they virtually demanded that I turn my request into a full-blown research project, totally open-wallet.
That noted, I have a box of their .338s on order and look forward to testing them.
In my experience, in the mid-to-long term, premium products live or die based on their performance and that of competing products.
I’m willing to suffer a 35% premium at least once. For me, the question is whether I find enough “advantage” to make purchasing a second and subsequent boxes worth the money.
Those points certainly look the part and lathe turned bullets should have the most consistent tips possible. Retained velocity at 1,000 yards of the less dense bullet must have been very good to support the claimed BC, but I hope to read test results confirming this on the site. Higher velocity at the muzzle for equal weight bullets suggests the bullet is less hampered by barrel bearing friction, too, possibly better for barrel life.
Well if the 30 cals cost that much then the 6mm 105s should fall somewhere around 32.00 a box ?
If these are worthy they will be used to win all shooting championships around the world and all the records will soon be held by these Flat liners.
. Will look good for pictures and show on internet but not for winning rifle matches. Prove us wrong Warner.
Especially Targets fired at 600M and beyond.
Unless they are like Three other extremely low drag swiss screw machine produced copper machined projectile companies who well produced items that looked good initially across chronographs. Then when it came time to produce groups at range with reliable consistency.
They failed and as always never out perform the reliability of Berger, Sierra, JLK, Lapua numerous others have tried this machined process good luck with your flat liners- Sounds like a dead idea to me
Times are changin.
With the ever increasing affordability of cnc technology, jacketed bullets will start to get crowded out of the market (though never completely).
This is just the beginning.
The prices will come down, when the market becomes saturated.
The market will become saturated when solids start to perform.
They will start to perform when the right combination of design and application are applied.
This may be the design.
Who will apply them?
What kind of B.C. could you get out of a 100 gr 6.8 spcII from a 1 in 11.25 inch twist. It would need to be banded with something to reduce friction and something the semi’s could grab well. Or no movement ( cannelure)
tried reloading these new 160 gr bullets. Used 4 types of powder per recommendation from Warner. CFE223, Accurate 2460, 2000MR, and H4895 all very POOR Results except 2000MR just under 1 MOA at 100yds. Also first shot group with Berger .5 MOA, then POI after shooting 4//5 shot groups dropped my POI on the Berger 168 x 19 inches. WHAT UP with that?