The really precision shooters like benchresters noticed long ago that bullet points that are not uniform can cause accuracy problems. but, like anything else, some agree,some do not. Whidden Gunworks makes what they call a "pointing tool" that uniforms the tips of target bullets. this procedure supposedly helps tighten groups. I have never heard of this procedure being used on exposed lead hunting bullets but I suppose it would work to make these bullets more uniform depending on the amount of malformation. Might be worth a try for those worried about this. As always with anything new, verify your results on the range before going afield.

I should rephrase that. It should say, "the more consistent the projectile will be."

What was the range for the experiment? If the target was set at over 150 yards I wouldn't be overly concerned as the bullet would still clobber any deer/elk/moose I would be shooting at in the boiler room ... if I was doing my job. Varmint shooting would, of course, be a different matter. Also, deformed tips are typically caused by poor feeding and often the tips aren't significantly beat up even if they get damaged. Not like what I would expect to see from a bullet pounded against a piece of steel! I would like to have seen an image of the degree of deformity for these bullets since "deformed" is certainly something quite different in the eyes of different beholders. Some might, for example, consider a scratch in the lead tip a deformity.

Dave, I understand if they are "bashed all to hell ", and I guess most of us would avoid using one of these on a "money shot", but what about less damage, something that might be reasonable to shoot?

To All: I shot the test groups at 100 yards, and when deforming the bullets I pounded them until there was no semblance of a point left, and also took care not to change the seating depth. Obviously, in a big game rifle, there's not much you're going to miss at 100 yards with a 2-inch group, but at 200? At 300? More important, there is the problem of unpredictability; you don't know where those bullets are going go.

I never bought into the oft-repeated notion that deformed tips make no difference in performance. It simply goes against everything we know about aerodynamics, ballistics and physics. That is one reason why I always leaned toward Remington bronze points for my open-country deer and antelope hunting before polymer tips came out, and why I immediately jumped all over ballistic tips when they became available.
Big gobs of exposed lead have their place. In fact, that's what I would want if I were shooting a relatively low velocity caliber like the .30-30 or .35 Remington on relatively light-skinned game when shots are expected to be close. Same thing applies to heavier loads in more powerful rounds in the .30-06 being used under the same conditions. But I'm going to look for every edge I can get when the distances stretch out; and that is especially true under windy conditions.
It is amazing, though, how many people carry loose cartridges with exposed lead banging around together in pockets stuffed with change, knives and all kinds of crap guaranteed to deform bullets. I've seen people unloading ammo out of their pockets that looks like Karl Malden's nose.

On a somewhat similar note, I've heard of folks using FMJ round that have had the tips ground off to expose the lead, making them legal to hunt with. I can't even imagine the inconsistencies produce by this practice. Then again, at short range it may not be bad, I don't know.
GH1

To fordman: I don't think it's going to help much. The shape of a bullet is worked out precisely, and if you reshape it yourself, the results are going to be unpredictable.

I don't have any idea how many psp bullets I've rolled back to as near perfection as possible with a pocket knife. Can't say I could blame a miss on a bashed tip either!
But, then, I don't stress over non MOA groups either. Oh well.

I have always noticed much better accuracy from Federal Nosler Ballistic Tips. In fact it is the only cartridge two of my rifles can shoot sub minute of angle groups from. This could go a long way in explaining the phenomenon.

I just picked up a new .25-06, and I'm hoping mine will shoot the Partition like Mr. Petzals does. There are a lot of great bullets, but the Partition is still my baby.

Dave,

Depending on where you held the cartouche' while beating the crap out of it on that I-beam, you may have knocked the bullet deeper into the case, or lost neck concentricity, thus potentially invalidating your deformed tip theory.

Do this experiment again by reloading a controlled group of both unharmed and deformed bullets,uniformly seated into properly sized cases. Only then will I go along with this half-baked theory and randomly executed experiment of a self-admitted crazed 'ol man and shooting author.

Takes one to know one. Unworthy as I am.

True nuff. He watched OAL as indicated. But neck concentricity not addressed. After that beating, point alone may still not be the sole cause of poor grouping.

But this is not the hill I wish to die on. For @ 300 yds he still got me.

Past years I have always been careful with my rifle conditions and ammo quality to the point of obsession. A few years back, my firearms did not show up. I was handed a beat up old 375 and a handful of cartridges. The only thing the ammo had in common was caliber and battered appearance.. Turned out to be one of the most successful hunts I ever had,every animal I aimed at, and there were plenty, dropped to the first shot. Go figure.
Might add still plan on being careful with my ammunition.

mreeder,
I wasn't aware of the potential for obstruction, thanks for the heads up. As far as the other ammo options you mentioned,I couldn't agree with you more.
buckstopper,
I believe the regs vary state to state and I'm certain here in AR a FMJ is illegal. But as you implied, there are better choices out there.

I've had Rem Core Lokt bullets come out of my 700 when unloading with small deformities, mainly blunted tips, and always wondered how much that affected accuracy. Considering that this must be a common occurence,it would be interesting to see a more controlled study on this effect. On the other hand, if the anti's have their way, there won't be any lead hunting ammo.

If I really need to reach out'dar, I just lop'off the tip or push the lead back into a pencil like point on a hard surface or just shoot the darn thing. Shooting game, your shooting 150 or less so unless your shooting pixies or some tiny rodent, I've never noticed any difference in performance, dead is dead! out past 150 or so, ya' those "SINTNCC" (Shootem In The Next County Club) shots (450+), everything must be perfect. Shooting High Power Competition, all I shoot is Special Ball and Hollow Point Match.

I remember in Col. Hatchers Notes of loading bullets backwards due to no hunting bullets available and another article showing accuracy was reasonably impressive with the exception of horrible aerodynamics involved resulting in minus -460 BC (jokingly)

Here's a bullet 4'ya!

fieldandstream.com/photos/trophyroom/recent/single?pnid=1001491181#1001491181

I'm not sure which I'm more appalled about- the fact that a shooter with your experience sees the results of this experience as "surprising", or that you were knocking around live cartridges against a metal object without losing a trio of digits in the process. Consider yourself lucky, Dave. The brass pickers who live out near Ft. Hood can show you how it's REALLY done. ;-)