What do we really know about the transonic zone?

[Kurt]

I'm sure those of us looking for the best bullet for these rifles have a collection of different moulds that we collected over the years. I know I have.
And we all get caught up in the sleek looking bullet profiles that are used in the high power rifles, and in my opinion that is where they are better suited for. I know I tried them.
These slow moving projectiles we shoot mostly under 1400 fps they need a fast ROT to keep them stable. My .44's and I have several in this caliber with a ROT of 1/16, 1/17 and 1/19 and most of these sharp pointed long nosed bullets shoot well close in all of those twists I listed, but just because I see groups under a MOA at 200 yards they fall flat on their face in some of my calibers when the range gets farther out.
The bullet in my photo stuck in that .44-77 case stays stable out past 1500 yards in my 1/19 Rot .44-77 and the .44-90bn with a 19 twist as well as the faster twist straight walled calibers .44-75 Ballard and the couple .44-2.6 and I also use this profile in my .40 calibers.
No it's not the sleek pretty looking HP designed bullet but it works in all calibers I shoot them in.
Back in the 1870's they had the capability to make any bullet shape I'm sure, but they stuck with this type for some reason.

I think sometimes we don't spend enough time with a bullet to get the most from it finding a proper load for it.
Just because you have to give it an extra twist on the elevation knob compared to the sleek bullets don't mean they won't get the job done.

Kurt