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Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with Independent Measurements  5b. GRANT NUMBER 
 
 
 
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Emily Bohnenkamp, Bradford Hackert, Maurice Motley, and Michael Courtney  
 
 
 
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14. ABSTRACT 
 
This report addresses the question of ballistic coefficient accuracy. Ballistic coefficients of bullets are important because under 
or over estimates of ballistic coefficients can dramatically impact predictions of long range trajectory, wind drift, and imp act 
energy. This project compares ballistic coefficients advertised by four well-known bullet companies (Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, 
and Barnes) with those measured by an independent source (Bryan Litz).  G1 and G7 ballistic coefficients were determined 
using calculations at the JBM Ballistics web site.  Many published b allistic coefficients are significantly different from 
independent measurements, with Nosler’s advertised ballistic coefficients showing the largest overestimates.  
 
15. SUBJECT TERMS 
Aerodynamic drag, ballistic coefficient, drop, wind drift, bullet, retained energy 
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Michael Courtney  
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Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with 
Independent Measurements 
1 
 
 
Emily Bohnenkamp, Bradford Hackert, Maurice Motley, and Michael Courtney 
United States Air Force Academy 
Michael.Courtney@usafa.edu 
Abstract 
This report addresses the question of ballistic coefficient accuracy . Ballistic coefficients of bullets are 
important because under or over estimates  of ballistic coefficients can dramatically  impact predictions of 
long range trajectory, wind drift, and impact energy. This project compares ballistic coefficients advertised 
by four well-known bullet  companies (Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, and Barnes ) with those measured by an 
independent source (Bryan Litz).  G1 and G7 ballistic coefficients  were determined using calculations at 
the JBM Ballistics web site.  Many published ballistic coefficients are significantly different from 
independent measurements , with Nosler’s advertised ballistic coefficients showing the largest 
overestimates. 
  
Introduction 
This article compares advertised ballistic coefficients (BCs) of major bullet companies (Hornady, 
Nosler, Sierra, and Barnes) with ballistic coefficients meas ured by an independent source. The 
ballistic coefficient is the ability of the bullet to overcome air resistance in flight.  Ballistic 
coefficients relate the drag deceleration of a projectile  to that of a standard bullet.  Bullets with 
higher BCs move  through air more efficiently. BC is also  the ratio of sectional density of the 
bullet to its form factor, where sectional density is the weight of the bullet divided by the square 
of its diameter. Accurate determination of ballistic coefficient is important for predicting long 
range trajectory, wind drift, an d retained energy. Earlier work has sho wn that manufacturer 
claims of ballistic coefficients are sometimes significantly exaggerated ( Courtney and Courtney 
2009). In addition to comparing manufacturer claims of ballistic coefficients with those 
determined by Bryan Litz, a well-known match shoot er and an expert in aerodynamics, G7 
ballistic coefficients for a wide variety of bullets are also presented.  
 
Bryan Litz measured ballistic coefficients using a chronograph and acoustic sensors over 
intervals between the rifle and target. When the bullet  was fired, a chronograph measure d the 
bullet’s initial velocity. Acoustic sensors measured the time of flight bet
ween intervals. The first 
of four acoustic sensors was positioned at the chronograph, and each subsequent s ensor was 
placed 200 yards further downrange out to 600 yards total. As the bullet flew past each sensor, 
the supersonic “crack” of the bu llet registered and was  recorded to a single audio file which is 
essentially a ‘time stamped’ t rajectory for each shot (Litz 2009).  Litz typically shot five bullets 
per bullet type to determine a ballistic coefficient for each bullet.  
 
The physical difference between the G1 and the G7 ballistic coefficients is that the standard 
projectile of the G1 has a short nose, flat base, and bears more resemblance to an old 
unjacketed lead black powder cartridge rifle bullet than to a modern long range r ifle bullet (Litz 
2009). The G7 standard projectile has a long boat tail and its pointed nose ogive bears a much 
stronger resemblance to a modern long range bullet than the G1 standard projectile (Litz 2009). 
Consequently using the G7 ballistic coefficient yields more accurate predictions for most boat -
tail bullet desi gns, especially at long range.  The lower number of the G7 BC for a given bullet 
represents a difference in how the G7 standard drag curve relates to the Mach number; it does 
not suggest a higher drag. 
 
The G1 and G7 ballistic coefficients measured by Litz have been published in his excellent 
book, “Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting” for a number of bullets, including most of the 
Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with 
Independent Measurements 
2 
 
Berger line  (Litz 2009 ). However, since Bryan is now the ballistician for Berger Bullets and 
Berger uses Bryan's numbers, Bryan's numbers are not an independent test of the 
manufacturer's claims in this case. Furthermore, rather than simply copy the BCs from Bryan's 
book, the numbers reported here were reverse engineered as describe d in the Method section 
below. The results section presents a number of figures and tables comparing the G1 BC with 
bullet company claims and reporting the G7 BC to enable readers to compute more accurate 
long range trajectories, wind drift, and retained energy with tools that might not include a built -in 
library of the Litz G7 ballistic coefficients.  Finally, the discussion section discusses some trends 
that can be observed from the data and the relevance of the findings. 
 
Method 
In order to determine the accuracy of the ballistic coefficients of the manufacturing companies of 
Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, and Barnes, a ballistics calculator was used from JBM.  JBM is a free 
online provider for ballistics calculators.  To determine the ballistic c oefficient, the  trajectory 
predicted with a given muzzle velocity ( feet per second ) needed to be calculated first.  In 
determining the velocity at 200 yards the atmospheric conditions of altitude (ft.), humidity (%), 
temperature (°F), and pressure (in Hg)  are constants. The constants used for every bullet for 
every manufacturing company were 0 ft. altitude, 0% humidity, 59 °F, and 29.92 in Hg. With 
these constants the velocity of the bullet was calculated using the JBM calculator. With a muzzle 
velocity of 2800 fps and the calculated velocity at 200 yards  was then used with the same 
atmospheric conditions to determine the G1 and G7 BCs.  This process was repeated for all the 
Litz measurements reported here.  
 
For example, the  BC for Hornady .284 caliber Interlock SP 139 grain was determined in this 
manner. The bullet was looked up in the JBM  trajectory (velocity) database under Litz’s bullets 
and then its trajectory was calculated using the atmospheric conditions mentioned above. For a 
muzzle velocity of 2800 fps, the velocity at 200 yards is 2530.4 fps.  A near velocity of 2800 fps 
and a far velocity of 2530.4 fps at 200 yards was then used to compute the G1 ballistic 
coefficient, which is .399, and G7 ballistic coefficient, which is .196. The atmospheric conditions 
for this calculator were also the same conditions as when the trajectory was compared.   
 
Style Diameter 
(in) 
Mass 
(gr) 
SD 
(lbs/in²) 
Barnes 
G1 BC  
Litz G1 
BC  
Litz 
G7 BC 
Overestimate 
(%) 
TSXBT 0.308 168 0.253 0.404 0.400 0.2 1.00 
TSXBT 0.308 180 0.271 0.453 0.458 0.229 -1.09 
TSXFB 0.257 115 0.249 0.335 0.328 0.164 2.13 
TSXFB 0.284 175 0.31 0.417 0.406 0.203 2.71 
TTSXBT 0.308 168 0.253 0.470 0.445 0.222 5.62 
TTSXBT 0.338 225 0.281 0.514 0.507 0.253 1.38 
Table 1: Litz and Barnes BCs.  The average B arnes overestimate is 1.96%.   
 
Results 
The results show the differences in ballistic coefficients between the Litz measurements and the 
Barnes’ claims.  Table 1 compares Barnes and Litz BCs to determine the average overestimate 
which is 1.96%. From the results, Barnes appears to report reasonable and accurate ballistic 
coefficients for most bullets, considering that Litz only expects his measurements to be accurate 
to 1%. The Barnes TTSXBT .308 168 has the highest overestimate at 5.62%.    
 
Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with 
Independent Measurements 
3 
 
 
Figure 1: G1 BCs from Barnes and Litz plotted vs. sectional density, along with best-fi t lines. 
 
Figure 1 shows G1  ballistic coefficients plotted against sectional density (lbs/in²) for the Barnes 
bullets measured by Litz.   Unlike most other bullets  (see below) , the sectional density and 
ballistic coefficients are poorly correlated, suggesting a significant variance in form factors, 
which is to be expected when flat base bullets are compared with boat tail bullets.   If two bullets 
had the exact same shape, but different masses, the ballistic coefficient should be exactly 
proportional to the mass.  Consequently, the BC to SD ratio is a factor (the reciprocal of the form 
factor) that indicates how aerodynamic the shape of a bu llet is, without regard to resisting drag 
deceleration due to increased mass.  The BC to SD ratio for most of these bullets is close to 
1.6, which is typical of many hunting bullets.  The sleekest match bullets often have G1 BC to 
SD ratios close to 1.9 or 2.0, but very few match bullets have had BC claims more than twice 
the sectional denisty verified by independent sources. 
 
Style Diameter 
(in) 
Mass 
(gr) 
SD 
(lbs/in²) 
Hornady 
G1 BC 
Litz 
G1 BC  
Litz 
G7 BC  
Overestimate 
(%) 
AMAX 0.224 52 0.148 0.247 0.280 0.119 3.78 
AMAX 0.224 75 0.214 0.435 0.424 0.212 2.59 
AMAX 0.224 80 0.228 0.453 0.463 0.231 -2.16 
AMAX 0.243 105 0.254 0.500 0.505 0.252 -0.99 
AMAX 0.264 140 0.287 0.585 0.600 0.299 -2.5 
AMAX 0.284 162 0.287 0.625 0.617 0.307 1.30 
AMAX 0.308 155 0.233 0.435 0.424 0.212 2.59 
AMAX 0.308 168 0.253 0.475 0.461 0.230 3.04 
AMAX 0.308 178 0.268 0.495 0.481 0.240 2.91 
AMAX 0.308 208 0.313 0.648 0.651 0.324 -0.46 
Table 2: Litz BCs and Hornady’s claims for the Hornady AMAX bullets tested by Litz.  The average 
overestimate is 1.01%. 
 
Table 2 compares Hornady and Litz BCs for the AMAX  match bullet design.  Having a 
polycarbonate tip, soft lead, and a relatively thin jacket, the AMAX is not a bad choice for 
y = 1.5687x 
R² = 0.024 
y = 1.5986x 
R² = -4E-04 
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
G1 BC 
Sectional Density (lbs/in²) 
Barnes 
Litz
Barnes
Linear (Litz)
Linear (Barnes)
Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with 
Independent Measurements 
4 
 
varmint hunting.  The average overestimate is 1.01%. The Hornady AMAX .264 140 grain had a 
conservative estimate, low by 2.5%.  Two AMAX bullets were overestimated by more than 3%: 
the 52 grain .224 and the 168 grain .308.   
 
 
Figure 2: Litz and Hornady G1 BCs vs. sectional density.   
   
Figure 2 shows G1 ballistic coefficients plotted against sectional density (lbs/in²) for the AMAX 
bullets measured by Litz.  The Hornady and Litz G1 BC measurements are close together, and 
both are highly correlated with the sectional density, suggesting these bullets have nearly the 
same form factor, likely attributable to similar ogives and boat tail  angles.  The G1 BC to SD 
ratio of 1.97 is excellent, showing that the AMAX line of bullets is one of the sleekest on the 
market.  The polycarbonate tip also maintains excellent shot -to-shot consistency of ballistic 
coefficients, and reliably initiates exp ansion even at extended ranges.  Many man ufacturers of 
both open tip match bullets and polycarbonate tipped bullets make claims of excellent BCs, but 
the Hornady AMAX is one of the few whose claims have been verified by an independent 
source. 
 
Table 3 compares the Litz and Hornady BCs for the SST and VMAX lines of bullets which are 
Hornady’s offerings in the polycarbonate tipped non -bonded hunting and varmint arenas, 
respectively.  The average overestimate is 1.79%. The Hornady 58 grain VMAX in .243 had the  
highest overestimate at 5.04%.   The 225 grain SST in .338 had the most conservative estimate, 
low by 3.38%.   
 
The G1 BCs for the SST and VMAX models are plotted vs. sectional density in Figure 3.  The 
correlation is very good between BC and SD, showing a consistency of form factor.  The one 
bullet noticably below the trend line is the 117 grain SST in .257.  The VMAX and SST lines are 
not quite as sleek as the AMAX with a BC to SD ratio of 1.78 indicating slightly lower BCs at a 
given bullet weight.     
 
 
y = 1.9735x 
R² = 0.8989 
y = 1.9845x 
R² = 0.9229 
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
G1 BC 
Sectional Density (lbs/in²) 
Hornady AMAX 
Litz
Hornady
Linear (Litz)
Linear (Hornady)
Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with 
Independent Measurements 
5 
 
Style Diameter 
(in) 
Mass 
(gr) 
SD 
(lbs/in²) 
Hornady 
G1 BC 
Litz 
G1 BC  
Litz  
G7 BC  
Overestimate 
(%) 
VMAX 0.224 40 0.114 0.200 0.191 0.191 4.71 
VMAX 0.224 50 0.142 0.242 0.231 0.116 4.76 
VMAX 0.224 55 0.157 0.255 0.253 0.127 0.79 
VMAX 0.243 58 0.140 0.250 0.238 0.119 5.04 
VMAX 0.243 65 0.157 0.280 0.268 0.134 4.48 
VMAX 0.243 75 0.181 0.330 0.326 0.163 1.23 
VMAX 0.243 87 0.210 0.400 0.392 0.196 2.04 
VMAX 0.264 95 0.195 0.365 0.364 0.182 0.27 
VMAX 0.277 110 0.205 0.370 0.360 0.180 2.78 
VMAX 0.284 120 0.213 0.365 0.368 0.184 -0.82 
SST 0.257 117 0.253 0.390 0.374 0.187 4.28 
SST 0.264 129 0.264 0.485 0.495 0.247 -2.02 
SST 0.284 154 0.273 0.525 0.503 0.251 4.37 
SST 0.308 150 0.226 0.415 0.413 0.206 0.48 
SST 0.308 165 0.248 0.447 0.449 0.224 -0.45 
SST 0.338 225 0.281 0.515 0.533 0.266 -3.38 
Table 3: Litz BCs and Hornady’s claims for the Hornady SST and VMAX bullets tested by Litz.  
 
 
Figure 3: Litz BCs and Hornady’s claims for the Hornady SST and VMAX bullets tested by Litz.   
 
Table 4 compares the Sierra and Litz BCs GameKing line of hunting bullets.  Sierra’s average 
BC claim is conservative by 2.25%. The Sierra 175 grain GameKing in .284  had a very 
conservative estimate, low by 10.26%.  The 250 grain .338 GameKing was high by 6%.  The G1 
BCs are plotted against sectional density in Figure 4.  The G1 BCs are well correlated with 
sectional densities, but not as highly correlated as some other designs, indicating some 
variation in ogives and/or boat tail angles.  At 1.81, the ratio of G1  BC to sectional den s
ity is 
good and compares favorably with most other boat tail hunting bullet designs. 
 
 
 
y = 1.7771x 
R² = 0.9361 
y = 1.7952x 
R² = 0.9488 
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3
G1 BC 
Sectional Density (lbs/in²) 
Hornady SST & VMAX 
Litz
Hornady
Linear (Litz)
Linear (Hornady)
Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with 
Independent Measurements 
6 
 
Style Diameter 
(in) 
Mass 
(gr) 
SD 
(lbs/in²) 
Sierra 
G1 BC 
Litz 
G1 BC  
Litz 
G7 BC  
Overestimate 
(%) 
GameKing 0.277 150 0.279 0.483 0.507 0.253 -4.73 
GameKing 0.284 150 0.236 0.436 0.441 0.220 -1.13 
GameKing 0.284 175 0.310 0.533 0.594 0.296 -10.27 
GameKing 0.308 165 0.258 0.404 0.426 0.213 -5.16 
GameKing 0.308 180 0.271 0.501 0.485 0.242 3.30 
GameKing 0.308 200 0.301 0.560 0.582 0.290 -3.78 
GameKing 0.338 250 0.313 0.565 0.533 0.266 6.00 
Table 4: Litz BCs and Sierra’s claims for the Sierra GameKing. 
 
  
Figure 4: Litz BCs and Sierra’s claims for the Sierra GameKing bullets tested by Litz.  
   
T
able 5 compares the Sierra and Litz BCs for the famous Sierra MatchKing (SMK).  On average, 
Sierra’s BC numbers are conservatively low  by 1.11% compared with the Litz numbers . The 
Sierra 155 grain Palma  MatchKing in .308 had the highest overestimate at 17.7 8%.   Other 
bullets show significant underestimates.  For example, Sierra’s BC claim for the 69 grain SMK in 
.224 is 10.95 % below the Litz measurement.  Sierra’s advertised BC for the 168 grain SMK in 
.284 is 15.86% below the G1 BC as determined by Litz.   
 
Figure 5 shows the G1 BCs plotted agains sectional density for the SMK bullet line.  The 
correlation between BC and SD is very good, except that the BCs for sectional densities below 
0.220 tend to fall below the linear trend line.  Sierra’s open tip MatchKing bullets are popular not 
only with competition shooters, but also with military snipers and long range hunters as well.  In 
addition to an outstanding reputation for accuracy, the SMK line has a BC to SD ratio above 1.9, 
indicating they have among the highest BCs for a given bullet weight and caliber. 
 
 
 
 
y = 1.8148x 
R² = 0.7826 
y = 1.7705x 
R² = 0.7869 
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
G1 BC 
Sectional Density (lbs/in²) 
Sierra GameKing 
Litz
Sierra
Linear (Litz)
Linear
(Sierra)
Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with 
Independent Measurements 
7 
 
Style Diameter 
(in) 
Mass 
(gr) 
SD 
(lbs/in²) 
Sierra 
G1 BC  
Litz 
G1 BC 
Litz  
G7 BC 
Overestimate 
(%) 
MatchKing 0.224 52 0.148 0.225 0.223 0.112 0.90 
MatchKing 0.224 69 0.196 0.301 0.338 0.169 -10.95 
MatchKing 0.224 77 0.219 0.362 0.380 0.190 -4.74 
MatchKing 0.224 80 0.228 0.420 0.435 0.217 -3.45 
MatchKing 0.224 90 0.256 0.504 0.514 0.256 -1.95 
MatchKing 0.243 70 0.169 0.259 0.263 0.132 -1.52 
MatchKing 0.243 95 0.230 0.480 0.465 0.232 3.23 
MatchKing 0.243 107 0.259 0.527 0.525 0.262 0.38 
MatchKing 0.257 100 0.216 0.386 0.368 0.184 4.89 
MatchKing 0.264 107 0.219 0.420 0.461 0.230 -8.89 
MatchKing 0.264 123 0.252 0.510 0.522 0.26 -2.30 
MatchKing 0.264 142 0.291 0.595 0.604 0.301 -1.49 
MatchKing 0.277 115 0.214 0.324 0.323 0.162 0.31 
MatchKing 0.277 135 0.251 0.488 0.507 0.253 -3.75 
MatchKing 0.284 168 0.298 0.488 0.580 0.289 -15.86 
MatchKing 0.284 175 0.310 0.608 0.657 0.327 -7.46 
MatchKing 0.308 168 0.253 0.462 0.437 0.218 5.72 
MatchKing 0.308 175 0.264 0.505 0.488 0.243 3.48 
MatchKing 0.308 180 0.271 0.475 0.495 0.247 -4.04 
MatchKing 0.308 190 0.286 0.533 0.542 0.270 -1.66 
MatchKing 0.308 200 0.301 0.565 0.572 0.285 -1.22 
MatchKing 0.308 210 0.316 0.645 0.635 0.316 1.57 
MatchKing 0.308 220 0.331 0.629 0.623 0.310 0.96 
MatchKing 0.308 240 0.361 0.711 0.667 0.332 6.60 
MatchKing 0.338 250 0.313 0.587 0.630 0.314 -6.83 
MatchKing 0.338 300 0.375 0.768 0.766 0.381 0.26 
Palma 0.308 155 0.233 0.504 0.428 0.214 17.78 
Table 5: Litz BCs and Sierra’s claims for the Sierra MatchKing bullets tested by Litz. 
 
Figure 5: Litz and Sierra BCs for the Sierra MatchKing.   
y = 1.9233x 
R² = 0.9074 
y = 1.8899x 
R² = 0.9018 
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
G1 BC 
Sectional Density (lbs/in²) 
Sierra MatchKing 
Litz
Sierra
Linear (Litz)
Linear (Sierra)
Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with 
Independent Measurements 
8 
 
Table 6 compares Nosler and Litz BCs for the Ballistic Tip to determine the average 
overestimate which is 6.33%. The Nosler 120 grain NBT in .284  had the highest overestimate 
at 12.7%, with the 115 grain .257 NBT and the 125 grain .308 NBT also having substantial 
overestimates at 10.76% and 9.58%, respectively.  Only two bullets, the 80 grain NBT in  .243 
and the 140 grain NBT in .277  in Table 6 are within 1% of the Litz measurements, which is 
Litz’s estimated uncertainty in his BC determinations.   
 
Style Diameter 
(in) 
Mass 
(gr) 
SD 
(lbs/in²) 
Nosler 
G1 BC 
Litz 
G1 BC  
Litz 
G7 BC  
Overestimate 
(%) 
Accubond 0.308 165 0.248 0.475 0.456 0.228 4.17 
Accubond 0.308 180 0.271 0.507 0.493 0.246 2.84 
NBT 0.224 55 0.157 0.267 0.259 0.13 3.09 
NBT 0.243 70 0.169 0.310 0.285 0.143 8.77 
NBT 0.243 80 0.194 0.329 0.330 0.165 -0.30 
NBT 0.257 115 0.249 0.453 0.409 0.204 10.76 
NBT 0.264 120 0.246 0.458 0.428 0.214 7.01 
NBT 0.277 140 0.261 0.456 0.455 0.227 0.22 
NBT 0.284 120 0.213 0.417 0.370 0.185 12.70 
NBT 0.284 150 0.266 0.493 0.458 0.229 7.64 
NBT 0.308 125 0.188 0.366 0.334 0.167 9.58 
NBT 0.308 150 0.226 0.435 0.406 0.203 7.14 
NBT 0.308 165 0.248 0.475 0.455 0.227 4.40 
NBT 0.308 180 0.271 0.507 0.483 0.241 4.97 
Table 6: Litz BCs and Nosler’s claims for the Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets tested by Litz.   
 
 
Figure 6: Litz BCs and Nosler’s claims for the Nosler Ballistic Tip and Accubond bullets. 
 
There is significant disagreement between many of the Litz measurements and Nosler’s claims; 
however, Figure 6 shows good correlation between BC and SD, indicating uniformity in form 
factor, attributable to uniformity in ogive shape and and boat tail angle.   Nosler’s claimed BCs 
for the B allistic Tip and A ccubond lines yield a BC to SD ratio of 1.85, which would be 
y = 1.741x 
R² = 0.9688 
y = 1.8497x 
R² = 0.9445 
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0 0.1 0.2 0.3
G1 BC 
Sectional Density (lbs/in²) 
Nosler NBT  
Litz
Nosler
Linear (Litz)
Linear (Nosler)
Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with 
Independent Measurements 
9 
 
outstanding and notable among hunting bullets; however, the independent test results yield a 
BC to SD ratio of 1.74, which is quite mediocre and unremarkable among boat tail hunting 
bullets. 
 
Table 7 compares the Litz and Nosler BCs to determine the average  overestimate of Nosler’s 
claims for the Partition, which is 4.26%.  The Partition is a flat base bullet more noted for holding 
together and providing deep penetration in big game than for its aerodynamic design.  The 
Nosler 175 grain Partition in .284 h ad the highest overestimate at 11.6%, and the 165 grain 
Partition in .308 also has a large overestimate at 9.0%.  
 
The G1 ballistic coefficient versus sectional density (lbs/in 2) was then plotted. Just as the last 
results showed from the Nosler NBT, the Nosler manufacturing company seems to be 
exaggerating their ballistic coefficients. The Nosler NBT is the bullet with the most 
overestimated BC of all the bullets studied, followed by the Nosler Partition.   
 
Style Diameter 
(in) 
Mass 
(gr) 
SD 
(lbs/in²) 
Nosler 
G1 BC  
Litz 
G1 BC  
Litz 
G7 BC  
Overestimate 
(%) 
Partition 0.243 95 0.230 0.365 0.353 0.177 3.40  
Partition 0.277 140 0.261 0.432 0.415 0.207 4.10  
Partition 0.284 150 0.266 0.456 0.424 0.212 7.55  
Partition 0.284 175 0.310 0.519 0.465 0.232 11.61  
Partition 0.308 165 0.248 0.410 0.376 0.188 9.04  
Partition 0.308 200 0.301 0.481 0.501 0.250 -3.99  
Partition PP 0.308 180 0.271 0.361 0.368 0.184 -1.90  
 
Table 7: Litz BCs and Nosler’s claims for the Nosler Partition bullets tested by Litz.   
 
 
Figure 7: Litz BCs and Nosler’s claims for the Nosler Partition bullets tested by Litz. 
 
 
 
 
y = 1.5391x 
R² = 0.749 
y = 1.6033x 
R² = 0.6542 
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
G1 BC 
Sectional Density (lbs/in²) 
Nosler Partition 
Litz
Nosler
Linear (Litz)
Linear
(Nosler)
Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with 
Independent Measurements 
10 
 
Discussion 
After graphing and comparing all the calculations from the JBM web site, it was found that many 
published ballistic coefficients are inaccurate . The Hornady AMAX bullet was the least 
overestimated with a 1.01% embellishment , while the Nosler Ballistic Tip  was the most 
overestimated with a 6.33 % overestimate. One might hypothesize that the overestimates of 
these bullets might be related to their specific uses. BCs of hunting bullets are less likely to be 
accurate due to the consumers of such bullets being stereotyped as weekend sportsmen rather 
than precision shooters who will notice a slight inaccuracy while shooting their bullets, thus the 
manufacturers tend to be more precise with the ballistics of bullets for this type of customer.  
 
The Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet, the most overestimated of all the designs considered in this study,  
had a 6.33% average overestimate.  One of the more overestimated Ballistic Tip models is the 
125 grain bullet in . 308.  One of the authors (MC) has shot this bullet for a number of years in 
.308 W inchester and 30-06 and has found this bullet to be a reliable performer as a dual 
purpose deer and varmint load out to 250 yards, but noticed that the bullet experienced 
noticeably more drop and wind drift than expected when pressed into longer range use.  
Considering the differences in trajectories predicted from the Nosler and Litz BCs suggests why.  
For a muzzle velocity of 3200 fps, 20  °F, 0% relative humidity, 29.92 in Hg at sea leve l, with a 
200 yard zero, the Nosler G1 BC of 0.366 predicts a drop of 68.8”, a wind  drift of 37.5” in a 10 
mph cross wind, and an impact velocity of 1696 fps with an energy of 798 ft -lbs at 600 yards.  
The Nosler BC predicts a transition to subsonic at 999 yards.  Under the same conditions, the 
Litz G1 BC predicts a drop of 73.5”, a wind  drift of 42.5”, and an impact velocity of 1582 fps at 
600 yards, with impact energy of 694 ft-lbs.  The Litz BC predicts a transition to subsonic at 912 
yards.  
 
To further investigate the possibility that Nosler is generating their BCs for marketing purp oses 
rather than to best inform the shooter regarding ballistic performance, the BCs of the Accubond 
line were compared with the Ballistic Tip line in cases where there was a Ballistic Tip bullet in 
the same weight and caliber listed in the Nosler Reloadin g Manual #4.  There were seven 
Ballistic Tip bullets listed in the reloading manual of the same weight and diameter of the 
Accubond bullets which were introduced several years later.  It is notable that 6 of the 7 
Accubonds list exactly the same BCs (to th ree significant digits) in spite of having different boat 
tail angles and ogives than their Ballistic Tip counterparts.  What is the probability that six of the 
seven Accubond bullets with Ballistic Tip counterparts were actually tested to have identical 
BCs?  In contrast, what is the probability that Nosler decided simply to list the BCs of the 
Accubond as equal or greater than the Ballistic Tips for the Accubonds with Bal listic Tips in the 
same diameter and weight regardless of what was actually measured?   The average BC to SD 
ratio for Accubonds with Ballistic Tip analogues is 1.879  (five of seven above 1.9) ; in contrast, 
the average BC to SD ratio for Accubonds in weights unique to that design is the more humble 
1.788 (only two of 15 above 1.9) .  One won ders if Nosler felt free to advertise more accurate 
BCs for Accubonds without Ballistic Tips to which to compare them.   
 
Bibliography  
 
Courtney, Michael; Courtney, Amy “Inaccurate specifications of ballistic coefficients.”  2009.  
Varmint Hunter Magazine. 
 
Litz, Bryan. “Applied Ballistics for Long-Range Shooting.” Applied Ballistics LLC, 2009.  
     