What are the advantages / disadvantages between these two style bullets?

There may not be any advantages or disadvantages. Are you looking for a bullet mould or simply want to buy some commercial bullets? If the latter, try them both and shoot what's most accurate. For something like hunting, I doubt there is any appreciable difference.

Actually, for hunting, there is a significant difference between a round nose and a Keith style semi-wadcutter.
The Keith will create a far more effective wound channel and have a notably better impact factor.

I thought he was referring to a round nose flat point rather than a pure round nose. If a regular round nose, I agree with you. However, if a flat point, and a wide flat point at that, results should be about the same as the Keith SWC.

The larger the meplat,the more disruption you are going to get in meat.But for accuracy purpose,you'll have to try both and see which your gun prefers.
Qc

The RNFP usually feeds better in lever action rifles and semi auto loaders .
Other than that I can't of any big advantage over the SWC.
When talking about cast bullets Elmer Keith had a lot of game killing experience and knew what worked, although an old design , it's still a decent choice. SWC , cast not too hard and heavy for caliber.
Gary

On feral bowling pins I've encountered, the SWC seems more adept at knocking them OFF the table completely at 50' nominal distance.

The RN style of comparable terminal ballistics, seems more satisfied with just knocking them DOWN.

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There are those who believe an RF will align better when it passes from the cylinder into the throat. If so I believe the group improvement is probably best measured in small fractions of an inch rather than in inches.

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Front sight and squeeze

Thanks all. I was just curious. I have about 2000 RNFP poured and powder coated in 158 grain and about 1000 in 125 grain. I've been pushing some at max velocity for FMJ and get good accuracy and no leading. 4" groups at 175 yards. I wish Lee made a 180 grain mold in either of the above bullets.

Probably head for the range next week. Today I loaded 100 rounds using 16 grains of IMR4227 with the powder coated 158 RNFP. Velocity should be around 1660 fps. Anxious to see how they do. I got good accuracy with 16.7 grains of H110.

Mike

That little 125gr "Cowboy" bullet will work in a 38 J frame snub nose.
Trail Boss and Bullseye will work at a slow 600fps up to 733fps.

I like the 158gr SWC design for the cannelure, so I can get a heavy crimp for higher velocity's.

Both are fun to load.

If MikeinKaty is getting 1660fps, and testing groups at 175yds, that would seem like a rifle rather than a revolver.

If so, a RNFP would feed better. Lever actions usually are designed for SAAMI length ctgs ( or pretty close) and a true Keith bullet seated to the crimp groove will be too long. Generic swc will be closer in length, but usually require careful cycling to feed. ( Jiggle the Handle is not just in the bathroom.)

Effectiveness on game is a factor of the diameter of the meplat aka flat part on the nose.

If I guessed wrong, and your grouping 4in at almost 200yds with a revolver at 1600 fps plus ( and its safe), keep doing exactly what you're doing.

Revolver? I wish! I'm talking about a 20" Henry Big Boy. I can get 2" groups with Hornady FMJ at 175 yards. But with lead bullets costing 1/4th as much I can live with 4" groups. When I was in the army 55 years ago I could cover all my shots with a quarter at 100 yards using peep sights.

Yes, I know but I don't have a Henry..................

but if he has a little guy.............?
Do ya ?

I have a S&W 686, 3". I got that for personal defense. The demographics around here have undergone a radical change over the last 30 years. Now, after something like 3000 rounds thru it I can routinely get a 3" group at 10 yards. I can rapid fire a 8" group at 20 yard.

This 3" is so much fun to shoot that I'm considering getting a 6" version. Then of course I would like a Pedersoli pump in 357 magnum. Then a .........

The 3" was my first center fire pistol.

Mike

It will depend on the size of the dlat point or Meplat. Some will also say lwnfp are more accurate at extreme ranges of 100yds & beyond, but most of us dont go there. A large flat point will crush more tissue. The scw will punch nicer holes in paper. Both can be very accuraye to 100yds.

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