Contents - Index - Previous - Next
A Tangent Ogive is defined by a nose profile that places the base of the Ogive in such a manner that it blends smoothly with the body diameter or bore ride section of the bullet.
A Secant Ogive is defined by a nose profile that places the imaginary base of the Ogive in such a manner that it is toward the rear of the junction of the bullet body diameter or bore ride section of the bullet.
This rearward placement creates a junction that is not smooth, but rather, forms an angle between the ogive and the bullet diameter. This angle may be defined by the distance that the base is offset towards the rear of the junction with the bullet body or bore ride section.
This design allows a bullet of the same length to have less weight than one with a tangent ogive and will also increase the Ballistic Coefficient Form Factor of the bullet due to the longer radius of the ogive. However the increase in the ballistic coefficient ceases to be effective after the angle of offset increases past the neighborhood of 6 degrees.
Click the "Edit Secant Ogive" button to open the Secant Editor and enter the Secant Ogive Radius either in inches or in nose diameters.
An Elliptical nose profile drawn with an integral elliptical meplate.
An Elliptical nose profile drawn with a round meplate.
An elliptical nose profile drawn with a flat meplate.
A true round nose profile. The length of the ogive radius is 1/2 of the bullet body or bore ride diameter.
A Truncated Cone nose profile. The sides of the nose profile are straight, with no curve
The meplate or tip of the nose profile may be defined as either Pointed, Flat, Round, Hollow Point or, if the Ogive is elliptical, then the meplate may or may not be defined as elliptical.
Copyright ©, TMT Enterprises 2012