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4/14/2012 8:34:31 PM EDT
im still learning   but what does bt  mean with ammo   i just ordered some xm193 556 55 gr bt   cost me 390  delivered   did i get a good deal or not??
4/14/2012 8:43:38 PM EDT
[#1]
Bt – Boat-tail
4/14/2012 8:58:32 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
im still learning   but what does bt  mean with ammo   i just ordered some xm193 556 55 gr bt   cost me 390  delivered   did i get a good deal or not??


As previously mentioned BT is Boat Tail.  It means the bullet has a curvature in the rear which makes it more aerodynamic.

If you ordered 1k rounds, then $390 is about right for the going rates on Federal XM193.  It seems to be going for slightly over $7 per 20 rds lately.  Every now and then you can get a better price (for example CTD had a small amount for $5.82/box then suddenly raised it to $9+)

If you want some inexpensive practice ammo, keep your eye out for PMC Bronze.  I've been using it at the range and paying $5.70 per 20 lately.  It's good in terms of quality, just lower velocity compared to military-style 5.56 loads.  I originally ordered mine from PSA but they raised their price to over $6/box and then again to $6.99/box.  I got 2 cases from Natchez for $5.69/box but they have been out of stock for a while now and who knows that the price will be when they finally get it back.

Another option is the steel russian stuff.  It can be hit or miss whether it will work with your particular rifle or not so it may be worthwhile to get a small quantity to try first.

I would suggest collecting your brass at the range –– right now brass is going for 5-7 cents per case but i've got a feeling it's going to become more valuable later this year.  Even at the current rate, selling your brass can knock $50+ off the effective price of a case of ammo.
4/14/2012 9:03:29 PM EDT
[#3]
390 delivered isn't terrible... if it's for 1000.  Locally, it's been creeping up towards 410/1000 (+sales tax!)
4/14/2012 9:10:47 PM EDT
[#4]
it was 390 for 1000 rds delived to arkansas no taxes     is boat tail any more accurate than the others ??   forgive me in still learning
4/15/2012 2:58:23 AM EDT
[#5]
Boattails increase the ballistic coefficient of bullets, which helps
them overcome air resistance and wind deflection. The shape also helps
the air flow transition over the heel of the bullet and reduces the base
diameter resulting in less base drag. Understand that at supersonic
velocity, nose drag is the primary drag component, so the base drag
benefit of a boattail really doesn’t come into play until the bullet is
transitioning to or at subsonic velocity.



Personally, I think that regardless of whether you’re shooting game or
punching paper, you should try several brands of boattail and flat-base
bullets and then shoot whichever one is most accurate in your gun at the
range and in the conditions you intend to shoot.





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