“ballistic coefficient”

A detailed look at ballistic coefficient and how it applies to the hunter’s choice of projectile.

Federal’s new Fusion Tipped features a polymer tip that increases ballistic coefficient, flattens trajectories and boosts energy for better accuracy and extended effective range.

Barrett has announced its new match grade .416 Barrett ammo, which according to the company, has a much higher ballistic coefficient than its previous .416 bullet.

The term “ballistic coefficient” is mentioned a lot these days, but its true influence is often marred by falsehoods. Here are five of the most common BC fallacies and the truths about each.

Remington’s Premier Long Range ammo features technologically advanced Speer Impact bullets, developed specifically for this ammo and is designed to have a high ballistic coefficient and engineered to handle a very wide range of impact velocities.

Pushing a 180-grain AccuBond bullet at 3200 fps and a 210-grain AccuBond Long Range with an extremely high ballistic coefficient at 3000 fps, the new 30 Nosler is clearly aimed at elk, moose, big bears, large African antelope and any big game at extreme range.

Federal introduces its ELD-X line of centerfire rifle ammunition. This match-accurate, hard-hitting hunting bullet stands apart thanks to an extremely high ballistic coefficient and a design that provides dynamic expansion at a wide range of velocities. 

The first of the Nosler proprietary cartridges, the 26 Nosler remains a flat-shooting, hard-hitting choice for hunting open country. Being a 6.5mm cartridge, it will use the high ballistic coefficient projectiles which retain their energy downrange, resist the effects of a crosswind and offer a flat trajectory.

Most modern bullets use polymer tips, but polymer melts at 320-345 degrees Fahrenheit, while bullets can reach temperatures greater than 800 degrees during flight. To counter this, Hornady created the ELD-X hunting bullet with its Heat Shield Tip, which sports a melting point above 700 degrees and degrades far less, making for a more accurate bullet with a higher ballistic coefficient. The company then loaded it in its Hornady Precision Hunter ammo line.