Technical Note Purpose
This technical note defines bullet geometry rules specific to lever-action rifles.
It exists to answer one question precisely:
Why certain bullet shapes work — and others do not — in lever guns.
This is a rules document, not a product page.
Geometry Rule #1 — Nose Shape Controls Safety
In tubular magazines:
- Bullet noses rest against primers
- Recoil creates forward inertia
- Shape determines pressure distribution
Approved Lever-Gun Nose Geometry
- Flat nose (wide meplat)
- Truncated or blunt profiles
- Designs with large surface contact area
Prohibited Geometry
- Spitzer / pointed bullets
- Narrow polymer tips not tube-safe
- Sharp ogive profiles
Safety is geometry, not metallurgy.
Geometry Rule #2 — Meplat Size Matters
The meplat (flat area on the bullet nose) controls:
- primer contact force distribution
- feeding stability
- tissue interaction
Larger meplats:
- reduce primer strike risk
- stabilize cartridge stacking
- increase immediate tissue disruption
Small meplats increase risk and reduce reliability.
Geometry Rule #3 — Bearing Surface & Alignment
Lever guns do not tolerate:
- erratic bearing surfaces
- abrupt ogive transitions
- inconsistent bullet length
Stable bullets feature:
- consistent bearing surfaces
- smooth transitions
- predictable alignment
This improves:
- feeding
- chambering
- accuracy consistency
Geometry Rule #4 — Base Design
Flat-base bullets are preferred because they:
- seat consistently
- crimp reliably
- align well during feeding
Boat-tail designs provide no advantage in lever-gun platforms and may introduce instability.
Geometry Rule #5 — Cannelure Placement
Cannelure location must:
- support proper OAL
- align with crimp requirements
- prevent bullet setback
Improper cannelure placement causes:
- pressure spikes
- feeding issues
- inconsistent ignition
This is a geometry issue, not a loading error.
Why Modern Bullet Assumptions Fail Here
Many modern bullet designs assume:
- box magazines
- high velocities
- spitzer compatibility
Lever guns violate all three assumptions.
Applying modern bolt-gun bullet logic to lever guns is the root cause of most failures.
Practical Outcome
Correct lever-gun bullet geometry results in:
- safe magazine stacking
- consistent feeding
- predictable ignition
- reliable terminal behavior
This is why flat-nose, cannelured bullets remain dominant in lever-action platforms.
Referenced in:
Lever-Gun Platforms — Bullet Selection, Safety & Mechanical Reality
WARNING: