Yep, no grooves. Barnes didn't have them either for their original X bullet. Now both Barnes and Hornady GMX have the bands but Nosler did not incorporate them. They are claiming a better copper mixture, but that's their story.
I'd be interested in hearing their story. Hornady claims their copper alloy (not pure copper) reduces pressures, and therefore Hornady goes with a different number of pressure-relieving bands than Barnes does, IIRC.
I think this 85 Etip idea is a good one, the bullets seem long and i am guessing it would almost be like having a TTSX then you should really be able to get that speed out of them some people are missing with the 95's, and with no grooves you could load them however you wanted and not worry about the grooves effecting the OAL.
This is a good point. I am not a fan of loading with the cannelure in the case mouth, but then again, the 95 TTSX allows you to support the bullet on the band, in the case mouth from OAL of 2.280 to 2.30."
I had spoke with my contact about the need for a 90-100g Etip as well as brass and possibly even loaded ammo
Several of us have had these discussions with Nosler
They know there is an appetite out there
I haven't heard back, SHOT show preperations, travel, etc..
I will be out there next Thursday/Friday and have an appt with them
Suspect the info will surface before I get there!
You shouldn't consider any reloading data interchangeable. An all copper bullet is longer than a lead core bullet so loaded to the same OAL the copper bullet reduces the case capacity.
Barnes also says not to use any load data developed with other bullets.
Plus since they have no lead core they resist deformation from the rifling which raises pressure. That same stiffness make em more difficult to crimp, hence the cannelure. Funny thing is I just got through talking to Nosler about crimping the .308 E-Tips for a semi-auto and they said that they can be crimped no prob. Maybe Nosler will start offering cannelures for the other calibers too.
You can click the drop down box, and 6.8mm is an option, as well as .243...However, the .243 is 90gr, and the 6.8 is indeed 85gr. This is out of stock on the website, at the moment, however, direct from Manf, is 26.00/50.
ETA: OAL: 1.001"; BC: 0.273, SD: 0.158 -- good numbers for a "varmint" and hunting style bullet... doubt it'll "match" that of the TSX, but will definitely fit a niche.
Makes me think someone is planning on offering these as factory loaded ammo and ordered the bullet be designed with a cannelure, would be nice to see some Nosler 6.8 brass but I doubt it will be them loading these in factory ammo.
I'll just wait for the 2nds to come out and buy a few 1000 at the 1/2 price range. I remember them selling 110 AB for 20 cents each this past year. Nothing like getting a premimum bullet for that kind of money.
I just hope that Nosler keeps cranking out those 2nds. I use them all the time but would have a hard time paying full price for the those bullets.
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