Wide Long Nose Profile (WLN) in Revolvers

[Racer X]

I posted this on the "Ask Veral Smith of LBT" but have not gotten any replies so I am re-posting here.....

I have heard as a rule, LFN is most accurate for long range shooting and WFN is best for hunting? But what about WLN? Anyone have comments on their accuracy (long and short range), as well as penetration capabilities compared to the WFN and LFN. I shoot a Ruger SBH Hunter in 45 Colt.

[Tom W.]

isn't that what the guy at Penn bullets is selling?

www.pennbullets.com

[barber]

I have 280 gr .44 mag WFNGC from Montana Bullet Works, hit a paper plate at 1o8 yards.  Going to get some LFNGC, might be a little more accurate at a longer range.  Don't know why they wouldn't be good for hunting, as that's what I'll be using them for. 'Course, I'm a lonnngggg ways from being an expert.

[John R.]

I use the 325 gr. WLN out of my 45 Colt and its a very accurate round. It has the same size meplat as the WFN, but the crimp to nose length is longer, which gives you more room in the case. I'm looking foward to Veral's response to your question. 

[swampthing]

Depends on what you mean by long range. Providing you have worked up accurate loads with each of those bullets you will only see a difference in kill speed. WLN's have less bearing surface than WFN's and may be less accurate to 150yds. WLN's have a longer ogive for a better B.C. and potential accuracy at +200yds. LFN's have the best B.C. and will buck the wind the best for greater "retained accuracy" but bearing surface will be shorter than the WFN, for a given weight, so accuracy will probably look the best at 100yds with the WFN. You can mimick the bearing surface of the WFN with the LFN or WLN by going to a heavier bullet for better all around accuracy.
      WFN's make larger wounds with less velocity. And out to 200yds you will probably never see a difference in accuracy unless you were stricly target shooting. 340g LFN's @15-1600fps maybe a little more accurate out at 250yds, just hold on to that one with both hands. 300g WFN's at 1200fps are very accurate and kill quick.
  Have you tried fire lapping? it is tedious but it does help tighten groups. Also what is the OD of your expander plug? If it is more than a thousandth under bullet dia. you can get an accuracy boost by ordering a custom one that is .0005"-.001" under bullet diameter. It will decrease bullet deformation from loading for better ballance. RCBS makes them for 20 bucks. 

[Racer X]

I would be using them for primarily for hunting with some target shooting. I don't see me hunting beyond 100 yards, probably much less.

As for firelapping, I have not done it. David Clements has my gun. He is having a 44 SBH Hunter barrel re-bored and handlapped to .4505" - .451" so it should be right when I get it back.

I haven't tried a smaller expander plug. Maybe I should investigate that.

[swampthing]

To 100yds the WFN would be my choice with out a doubt. Balistic.Coefcients. are not an issue at that range. A bullet that is loaded straight, and leaves the barrel straight, in ballance, is the key.
 

[nomosendero]

To 100yds the WFN would be my choice with out a doubt. Balistic.Coefcients. are not an issue at that range. A bullet that is loaded straight, and leaves the barrel straight, in ballance, is the key.
 

Yep!