Twist-Match Bullet
The new modified bullet from Thompson Long Range
Higher Impact
Increased Accuracy
Less Resistance
Mark Thompson Founder of Thompson Long Range
How it started
For many years I wanted to try to make a bullet fly better and the best way was to see if I could improve on existing bullets by modifying them. I tried several different and exotic things. Some that were well beyond comprehension! Somewhere along the way I knew that if I could increase the surface of the nose or ogive of the bullet, I could reduce the resistance.
Several bullet manufactures do this by making that portion of the bullet longer, this can create stability problems and for those who like to load close to the lands, the cartridge becomes too long for the magazine box.
How it Works
By cutting groves through the radius of the Ogive, it was obvious that I could keep a shorter nose yet increase the surface area. If the groves did not match the twist of the barrel, the test was pointless. I tried several depths, widths, lengths, and the number of groves, most all through a 1in 10 right-hand twist rifle.
What was noticeable right away was the accuracy, consistent tighter groups at several distances out to and including 1200 yards with the Twist Match bullets. Remember, my comparison was with the exact same bullet with no groves, modifications were made so weights were the same, and muzzle velocity was also the same.
Twist-Match Difference
The impact was higher on the target with the modified Twist Match bullet than with the non-modified bullet, signaling to me that flight was flatter. When flight is flatter, it’s obvious that retained velocity and energy is higher.
Est. non-modified bullet impact
Est. Twist-Match bullet impact
Increased Performance
There was no doubt I was on to something, so I filed for a patent and after the long wait, I was issued a patent for the Twist Match bullet. More in-depth testing was now justified. Without all the sophisticated equipment, I had to do all of my testing in the field behind the rifle. Piles of brass and countless hours later I confirmed even more the benefits of the Twist Match groves. I even went as far as to shoot test bullets into media at 800 and 1000 yards, the expansion was also more with the grooved bullets than with the no-grooved bullet. This could have been because the velocity was higher and or because the groves helped it open up but I believe the groves had little effect on the expansion.
I am by no means a bullet manufacturer but if you would like to see it for yourself, feel free to sign up for the Thompson Long Range class and I will let you send some of the prototype bullets downrange!
Shooting School
Long Range Rifles
See our full selection of long range precision rifles that we use at Thompson Long Range. After completing the long range shooting course, you have the option to purchase your Weatherby rifle.