Ogive Type

Ogive Type

Select the "Ogive Type" or nose profile from the drop down list.

A Tangent Ogive refers to a bullet nose shape whose curve blends smoothly with the body of the bullet without evidence of a junction. The center of the curve radius is located on the axis of the bullet at the point where the curve meets the main body of the bullet.

As opposed to the term "Secant ogive" which refers to a nose curve with the center of the curve radius being located on the bullet axis rearward of the point where the curve joins the nose body. This creates a junction of the bullet nose to the bullet body that is not a smooth joining.

A Secant Ogive radius cannot be reliably calculated from nose length, base diameter and tip diameter without extremely accurate and selected diameter and length values. If the radius length (in calibers) is known, the value may be entered directly into the field titled "Ogive Length In Nose Calibers"
If the Secant Ogive Radius is not known. Select the Tangent Ogive Type and enter the remaining values and calculate a Tangent Ogive Radius value. Then re-select Secant Ogive Type and enter a value into the "Ogive Length In Nose Calibers" field that is slightly larger than the calculated Tangent Ogive Radius value. This field may be edited only after the Secant Ogive drop-down menu item has been selected.

A Secant Ogive will generate a ballistic coefficient that is somewhat larger that a Tangent Ogive if the offset angle is not more than approximately 6 degrees.

Select "Round Nose" when the Ogive is a completely round hemisphere. This will generate an ogive radius of 1/2 a nose diameter.

A Truncated Cone nose profile may have either a flat, round or pointed meplat and a special algorighm is used to calculate the form factor. Select "Truncated Cone" when no curve is apparent in the sides of the tapered nose.