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February 10th, 2022

ABCs of Bullet Pointing — Increase BC Uniformity

Berger Bullet Pointing Applied Ballistics Bryan Litz Whidden Pointing Die pointer

Tech Tip by Doc Beech, Applied Ballistics Support Team
I am going to hit on some key points when it comes to bullet pointing. How much pointing and trimming needed is going to depend on the bullet itself. Specifically how bad the bullets are to begin with. Starting out with better-quality projectiles such as Bergers is going to mean two things. First that you don’t need to do as much correction to the meplat, but also that the improvement is going to be less. NOTE: We recommend you DO NOT POINT hunting bullets. Pointing can affect terminal performance in a bad way.

NOTE the change in the bullet tip shape and hollowpoint size after pointing:
Berger Bullet Pointing Applied Ballistics Bryan Litz Whidden Pointing Die pointer

Don’t Over-Point Your Bullets
What is important here is that you never want to over-point. It is far better to be safe, and under-point, rather than over-point and crush the tips even the slightest bit. To quote Bryan Litz exactly: “Best practice is to leave a tiny air gap in the tip so you’re sure not to compress the metal together which will result in crushing. Most of the gain in pointing is taking the bullet tip down to this point. Going a little further doesn’t show on target”. So in essence you are only bringing the tip down a small amount… and you want to make sure you leave an air gap at the tip.

Salazar Whidden Bullet Pointer system

Also keep in mind, bullet pointing is one of those procedures with variable returns. If you only shoot at 100-200 yards, bullet pointing will likely not benefit you. To see the benefits, which can run from 2 to 10% (possibly more with poorly designed bullets), you need be shooting at long range. Bryan says: “Typically, with pointing, you’ll see 3-4% increase in BC on average. If the nose is long and pointy (VLD shape) with a large meplat, that’s where pointing has the biggest effect; up to 8% or 10%. If the meplat is tight on a short tangent nose, the increase can be as small as 1 or 2%.” For example, If you point a Berger .308-caliber 185gr Juggernaut expect to only get a 2% increase in BC.

Berger Bullet Pointing Applied Ballistics Bryan Litz Whidden Pointing Die pointer

Should You Trim after Pointing?
Sometimes you can see tiny imperfections after pointing, but to say you “need” to trim after pointing is to say that the small imperfections make a difference. Bryan Litz advises: “If your goal is to make bullets that fly uniformly at the highest levels, it may not be necessary to trim them.” In fact Bryan states: “I’ve never trimmed a bullet tip, before or after pointing”. So in the end it is up to you to decide.

Pointing is Easy with the Right Tools
The process of pointing in itself is very simple. It takes about as much effort to point bullets as it does to seat bullets. We are simply making the air gap on the tip of the bullet ever-so smaller. Don’t rush the job — go slow. Use smooth and steady pressure on the press when pointing bullets. You don’t want to trap air in the die and damage the bullet tip. You can use most any press, with a caliber-specific sleeve and correct die insert. The Whidden pointing die has a micrometer top so making adjustments is very easy.

Bryan Litz actually helped design the Whidden Bullet Pointing Die System, so you can order the Pointing Die and Inserts directly from Applied Ballistics. Just make sure that you pick up the correct caliber sleeve(s) and appropriate insert(s). As sold by Applied Ballistics, the Whidden Bullet Pointing Die System comes with the die, one tipping insert, and one caliber-specific sleeve. To see which insert(s) you need for your bullet type(s), click this link:

LINK: Whidden Gunworks Pointing Die Insert Selection Chart

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Reloading, Tech Tip 1 Comment »
February 10th, 2022

600-Yard Results at 2022 Southwest Nationals

Berger Southwest Nationals SW 2022 600 yards

The Southwest Nationals 600-yard competition was held Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, AZ. For F-Open, F-TR, and Sling Divisions there were three relays, each with 20 rounds for score. Thus, the maximum possible score was 600-60X. Remarkably, many of the top shooters shot 598 or above, and F-Open Winner Norm Harrold didn’t drop a point, finishing with 600-35X. Congrats to the class winners:

Berger Southwest Nationals SW 2022 600 yards Norm HarroldF-Open 600-Yard Winner:
Norm Harrold, 600-35X

Note: Jim Murphy was close behind with 599-47X,
the high X-Count for the match.

F-TR 600-Yard Winner:
Alton Johnson, 598-36X

Sling Division 600-Yard Winner:
Kelly Frank, 599-29X

Top 10 by Division
F-OPEN Division

NORMAN HARROLD 600-35X Winner
JIM MURPHY 599-47X
DAN BRAMLEY 599-38X
KEN DICKERMAN 599-37X
ANDY AMBER 599-31X
TIM VAUGHT 598-38X
JAY CHRISTOPHERSON 598-35X
BRYAN BLAKE 598-35X
DAVID GOSNELL 598-34X
JOSEPH MEYER 598-33X

F-TR Division

ALTON JOHNSON 598-36X Winner
GERRY WIENS 597-30X
KEITH TRAPP 595-37X
RANDY LITTLETON 595-33X
BRIAN HARDER 595-31X
JAMES CROFTS 595-28X
EDWARD SHELLEY 595-28X
STEVE ERNST 595-24X
LUKE RAMSEY 594-31X
RAYMOND WEAVER 594-31X

SLING Division

KELLY FRANK 599-29X Winner
KIMBERLY ROWE 598-28X
MIKE KELLEY 598-28X
TRUDIE FAY 597-35X
BOBBY GILL 597-31X
MICHAEL HALSEY 597-27X
MICHAEL CARLO 597-26X
RICHARD FORD 596-37X
KEN NELSON 596-32X
FAZAL MOHIDEEN 595-36X

Full results are posted at SouthwestNationals.net as well as our Shooters’ Forum Competition Area. Thanks for Matt Schwartzkopf for posting the 600-yard INFO.

2022 SW Nationals Match Program with Schedule »

Today, Thursday February 10, there will be a 4-person Palma Team Match with targets at 800, 900, and 1000 yards. There will be unlimited Sighters and 15 shots for record at each distance. Teams will consist of four firing members, a captain, a coach and an alternate. Divisions are: Palma, Optic, F-Open, F-TR.

Berger Southwest Nationals SW 2022 600 yards

Bonus Discounts For 2022 Southwest Nationals Competitors

Generous supporter of the Southwest Nationals, PMA Tool, is offering every SWN competitor 25% OFF PMA TOOL products. Check out all of PMA’s products at pmatool.com. NOTE: this discount ONLY applies to current 2022 SWN competitors.

Berger Southwest Nationals SW 2022 600 yards

Longtime supporter of the Southwest Nationals, McMillan Stocks, is generously offering every SWN competitor and range officer 25% OFF any McMillan hunting or tactical stock (not BR or F-Class stocks). Check out all of McMillan’s offerings at McMillanUSA.com. NOTE: This discount only applies to current 2022 SWN Competitors and Range Officers.

Berger Southwest Nationals SW 2022 600 yards

Permalink Competition, News, Shooting Skills No Comments »
February 10th, 2022

Great Deal on 5.56x45mm Ammo for AR15s

Do you shoot an AR-15? Then here is a great deal on mil-spec 5.56x45mm ammo made by Federal. Credit Ammoland.com for finding this bargain-priced bulk pack with 400 XM193 rounds for just $274.99, 31% off the regular $399.95 price. That works out to under 69 cents per round. You could pay that much just for the quality Lake City brass!

Firearms products dealer Bereli is offering NEW, factory-fresh Federal XM193 5.56 Ammo loaded with 55gr FMJ Bullets. With this deal you get 400 rounds, plus an Ammo Can for $274.99. That is just $0.687 per round. Plus, with this 400rd Ammo Can ships for free with Code “FREESHIPPING”.

Federal XM193 5.56 Ammo 55 Grain FMJ
Federal 5.56 ammunition is loaded with Lake City brass and works for target shooting, training, and plinking. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer-primed, brass cases, 55 grain, with FMJ-BT. Get 400 rounds for less than $0.69 per round.

Manufacturer: Federal Premium
Caliber: 5.56×45mm
Bullet Weight: 55 gr
Bullet Type: FMJ
Quantity: 400 Rounds


Photo courtesy Pew Pew Tactical AR-15 Ammo Review.

Ammo Deal: 400 rounds Federal XM193 5.56 55grn FMJ 400 Round + Can $274.99, FREE S&H

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Hot Deals, News No Comments »