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Strange bullet: PIC added

shooteroneshooterone Member Posts: 139 ✭✭✭
edited December 2008 in Ask the Experts
I got this box of old Sako 243 win. cartridges. I suspect they are reloads so I opened one up. To my surprise the bullet looked like it had threads on the bottom end. Upon closser inspection it had rings around the bullet starting just above the bottom and going up about a quarter of a inch. I never saw a bullet with deep rings going up the side like that. They are a Spitzer bullet with soft point and about 80 gr. They come in a orginal Sako box but they had a load info. written on the box with pen. Thats why I thought they might reloads. Any comments?
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Comments

  • PA ShootistPA Shootist Member Posts: 691 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Your description reminds me of the Nosler Zipedo bullet which came out back around 1967. It has a solid metal base that took up about 1/2 of the bullet's length, and a soft lead core in the spitzer point up front. There were circumferential grooves at the base of the bullet, which I believe would function to keep pressures down, and to effect a gas seal as the bullet was propelled forward. They were an attempt to make a bullet that would expand easily, but retain the solid base portion to ensure penetration. I don't remember them being available for very many years before they faded away, so I assume they weren't successful either functionally or commercially.
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  • RCrosbyRCrosby Member Posts: 3,808 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    +1 PA Shooter,
    I used to reload them in my .222 mag.
    Really need a decent picture though, or maybe you can find some pics on line and see if they show what you have.
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  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,381 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nosler Zipedo, all right. A friend of mine jealously guards his remaining supply because they are so accurate in his rifle. Not exactly a failure, Nosler just moved on to simpler designs, cutting those grooves could not have been cheap in mass production.

    I would be more concerned about the type and amount of powder in a box of unknown reloads. Do you believe the label data? Is it a reasonable load, if correct?
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  • shooteroneshooterone Member Posts: 139 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hi. I cut one of the bullets open and yes, it does have a solid copper base. I guess they are what you guys say, Nosler Zipedo. As far a shooting those reloads, no I wont do it. I'll just open up the cartridges, reload the brass and keep the bullets as curiosty pieces. Thanks all for helping me solve the "mystery of the strange bullets"
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  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    shooterone,

    I was more tired last night/this morning than I thought. I couldn't come up with the name of these bullets to save my soul! Then after you all came up with the name, I remembered that I had some put away someplace:

    zipedonolser2250grfm5.png

    These are 50 grain for .22s. The picture's fast and dirty but you get the idea.

    Best.
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  • shooteroneshooterone Member Posts: 139 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yep, Nononsense, those are the ones. Thanks for the pics.
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