Between experts here and what I've read so far from Hucho and Hoerner there is interaction between front and rear. If (IF!) a given vehicle already has fully attached flow, THEN it seems that wake reduction provides more bang for the buck. If the front, top, sides and/or bottom are a mess producing detachment than wake reduction offers limited return. Perfect onset flow and attachment also tend to amplify base drag. So without good rear treatment, forebody work alone is limited. Everything matters.
Bullets make great projectiles. With enough brute force anything can be propelled. Successful gliders leverage eons of evolutionary wisdom of fish and birds.
