Range Report bullet imperfections - what do I do with this?

[vwgn]

I bought a couple of boxes of federal fusion 308 ammo for my rifle (a bolt action savage - nothing fancy, 3-9x40 nikon scope, target shooting mostly at 200-300 yds).

Here is what I found when I got home. Most bullets in the box of 20 have the lead from core spilled over like welding slag. Its ROUGH, inconsistent and quite ugly. A few of the rounds have some of this splatter (same lead material from core/nose tip) down towards the neck of the case. its about 50/50 as to wether the spots of splatter are just a stain, or can be felt by dragging fingernail over it.

I went back to the store and they wont accept ammo returns for any reason. I did look at other boxes of the same ammo and out of 10 or so boxes, mine were not unique, in fact there was some boxes twice as bad. Mgr said that must be normal for the ammo. I am thinking this will cause some issues. I might not notice this on a 100yd plinking, but it cant help trajectory any! it might not be good for my gun either - IDK.

I am a fairly novice rifle shooter, who just dreams of one day affording the equip and building the skills to shoot long range stuff, but in the meantime I want to have fun with what I have and make the most of it. I just dont think this is normal for a round, but I am no expert. Would it be possible to just find a small stone with a cone shaped depression and smooth this out, or use some emory cloth on the tip? I knew it wasnt high end ammo (I hate to buy $45-$60 a box stuff for plinking), but it was still $30 a box. Ive bought TONS of cheap Tul and wolf ammo for other rifles and never seen anything like this, but this rifle is nice enough Im not running steel case junk through it (its not a bargain sks) even for plinking.

 

[memilanuk]

Re: bullet imperfections - what do I do with this?

For factory ammo from a hunting rifle w/ low-power scope @ 200-300yds... don't worry about it.

I had some similar looking tips on some Federal ammo loaded w/ Sierra 165gn GameKings that I shot this fall through a Savage 10PC w/ Leupold MkIV M2 3.5-10 scope and it shot just fine... Bambie died never knowing that the bullet that ended it was less than perfect

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: bullet imperfections - what do I do with this?

You could get all wrapped around the wheel but they will shoot just fine. If you don't have any dope set for those all you really need to do is make them all uniform with a file. Flat top the lead. If you want to get real anal you could weigh them and make them all the same weight as your lightest one. Otherwise just shoot em'

 

[korykhunter]

Re: bullet imperfections - what do I do with this?

I wouldn't worry about it unless your looking for one hole groups. Not gonna be the best in the world but should good for casual target practice and hunting in your 200-300 range.

 

[vwgn]

Re: bullet imperfections - what do I do with this?

Thanks for input. Id love to shoot one hole groups but even with the best stuff, Im not that skilled I dont think! its still a pretty tight grouping rifle at 100 yds despite being a lower end model without accustock or accutrigger, and I didnt want to risk damage since I didnt know what to do about this. I sighted the rifle in with some hornady rounds, and have just been using a mix of some reloads I got from a friend (he had about 150, so they have lasted me quite a while) and a box or two here and there of whatever was cheapest at the store. Thats why I bought these (cheapest available ). Ill probably clean that edge up while Im watching tv one night bored or something then and go have some fun with antifreeze bottles filled with water!

 

[vwgn]

Re: bullet imperfections - what do I do with this?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: memilanuk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bambie died never knowing that the bullet that ended it was less than perfect

</div></div>

VERY true! I shoot (photograph actually, not as much fun as if it were using a gun!) alot of product and food in a studio setting , and we always say something similar when people criticize my choice in camera or gear brands.. - once the picture is printed, nobody knows what kind of gear you used to get it..

 

[M25BeastShooter]

Re: bullet imperfections - what do I do with this?

American Rifleman did a study a few years ago where they dropped bullets on their tips causing them to be damaged. They then tested them for accuracy against the undamaged bullets. There was no practical change in accuracy. They also tested bullets with damage to the bases. This is where the real trouble occurs. The bullet is affected by the last air flowing over the bullet.

 

[northern50]

Re: bullet imperfections - what do I do with this?

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot49.htm

 

[vwgn]

Re: bullet imperfections - what do I do with this?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Northern50</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot49.htm </div></div>

sounds like I need to snip them with wire cutters lol! Im plenty happy with 2inch groups, looks like the snip method made them even better!

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: bullet imperfections - what do I do with this?

The tips look like the ammo received rough handling in-transit, causing the soft lead tips to become peened. I would not be overly concerned about its effect on overall performance; the tips are designed to expand on impact, and that's what they did. Compared to what will happen next, on contact with a target, their current condition is hardly worth mention.

Greg

 

[300rockbuster]

Re: bullet imperfections - what do I do with this?

If you are shooting with the mag full they will all look like that after the first shot. The recoil will slam them into the front of the mag. as said before the tip makes little differance.