bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

[boltstop]

Got some Montana Gold 55-grainers, and I thought I'd get smart and weigh them.

Most turn out at 55.0. A sizable number are 55.2, with about 75% as many @ 55.1 gr. There are very few 54.9 gr bullets and none higher or lower than these.

This put me on a tear - how well made are all the bullets?

You'd be surprised at the variances. I have 200 military pulled pills for .30-'06 plinking - they vary about a full grain in mass. Sierra Match King 168-grainers vary pretty much too, about .5 grains. Hornadys Interlocks are a litte tighter but they're a hunting bullet, not some match pill.

Most accurate were Nosler Custom (.308). Most were 155.0 grains right on the money. Nosler kicks ass; yesterday at the Pawnee Grasslands I shot several groups with one turning in .6 MOA on AA 2520 (I think it was 26 grains) on their 55 gr orange-tipped polymer bullet.

 

[boltstop]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

So I had a question here - do you weigh each individual projectile?

If so, what's your acceptable level of variance? Do you tolerate any?

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

I would give them to someone who likes to shoot, and may actually use them as intended.

 

[Rookie]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

I dont sweat it unless im shooting an important match then I weigh and reject anything over/under 3/10s grain from stated weight.

 

[ToddKS]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

I have weighed out various lots of .308 bullets and yes I weighed every one. I did it more as a science experiment that anything else.

I weighed out 1000 180gr Sierra Match Kings. 80% were between 179.9 and 180.1. As I recall the worst I had were a few 179.7 and 180.4. I set those aside for fouling/plinking rounds. I could not see any difference in performance within the 179.9-180.1 tolerance range. I am sure there is some minor difference, but it is not within my level of markmanship to make it show.

I found the Hornady AMAX to be much less consistant. I weighed batches of both 155gr and 178gr and found a difference of around 1.5gr between the high and the low, but the spread accross that range was much more even than the Sierra. Maybe 30-40% in the +/-.1 grain of nominal range.

I have also weighed 150gr Nosler ballistic tips. I found those to be more consistant that the AMAX, but not quite as consistant as the Sierra's. The interesting thing about the Nosler's was that there were very few under the 150gr mark. Most of the deviation was in the 150-150.5gr range.

All that said, this was a science experiment was performed when I had A LOT of spare time on my hands. My conclusion was that I was wasting my time. I am not a benchrest shooter. I shoot a lot, but it is for my own entertainment and preperation for hunting. That's not to say I don't occaisionally grab a handful out of a new lot of bullets and check them out, but I do so mostly out of random curiosity or boredom.

 

[boltstop]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armorpl8chikn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would give them to someone who likes to shoot, and may actually use them as intended.</div></div>

My guess is that you like to hear yourself talk, so you thought you'd say something "smart." Well, you're not off to such a good start, are you?

 

[rusty815]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

My batch of Hornady Amax 208gr. projectiles had a pretty large spread, about +-.4gr. with about 60% being 207.9gr. Regardless, they are still very accurate out of my rifle, even if I don't weigh them, so I would have to agree with ToddKS, it might make a difference but I can't shoot good enough to notice.

In comparison, the spread on my 230gr. Berger OTM's is +-.3 with about 85% being 229.8gr., and only 2 rounds that were to be used for plinking rounds as opposed to 9 rounds for the Amax's. I also use 200gr. Barnes LRX that I find to be spectacular, +-.2 spread with 82% being 200.1gr. I love loading for the LRX, if only it wasn't so limiting compared to the other rounds (low BC, very long so it takes up a lot of case capacity at mag length [its the exact same size as the Berger 230's!!!]), I would use them as my regular rounds.

BTW, cleaning bullets really helps reduce the spread and increase the majority group percentage from my experience, I find using an ultrasonic cleaner with just hot water and two cycles cleans them really well, but I have heard that putting the rounds in some sort of can with alcohol and mixing them around is easier and faster, but would require you to shake it around a lot

the Barnes for example are very dirty when I get them and have a much larger spread unless I clean them, same for the Berger's as well.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boltstop</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armorpl8chikn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would give them to someone who likes to shoot, and may actually use them as intended.</div></div>

My guess is that you like to hear yourself talk, so you thought you'd say something "smart." Well, you're not off to such a good start, are you?

</div></div>

Rich, very rich coming from a man who needed to make two posts to ask a simple question, about a subjest that has been covered over and over. This section is chock full of answers to this question. I could point out your many shortcomings but I won't, I expect you already have a firm grasp.

 

[Paladin2147]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

This is not benchrest. Sniper's Hide is a "tactical" forum. While many topics may aide reloading and accuracy, weighing bullets to .1 grain is not one of them. Ask yourself, can I see a difference (measurable) on the target face? And, if you think you can, consider there are many, many uncontrollable variables. For one, your scale is likely not that accurate.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

Sierra weighs bullets before they ship. If they don't meet Sierra's standards they don't ship. They did the work for you.

.5 grains variation on a 55 grain bullet is less than 1%, .5 grains on a 168 is .3%.

 

[boltstop]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armorpl8chikn</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boltstop</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armorpl8chikn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would give them to someone who likes to shoot, and may actually use them as intended.</div></div>

My guess is that you like to hear yourself talk, so you thought you'd say something "smart." Well, you're not off to such a good start, are you?

</div></div>

Rich, very rich coming from a man who needed to make two posts to ask a simple question, about a subjest that has been covered over and over. This section is chock full of answers to this question. I could point out your many shortcomings but I won't, I expect you already have a firm grasp. </div></div>

OK, hotshot - you keep showing the world your dick. We'll see how it all works out in the end. You're a petty little goofball who hasn't got the common sense not to respond to a thread to which you can't offer any constructive assistance.

To your comment, you don't know me, or know anything about me. You haven't the faintest idea who I am, what I do or why. I only know you by how you show me and other posters disrespect, and it's going to end. You're a keyboard bulley and from what I can tell, a nattering little monkey.

Go away. Go find something to do. The adults are talking.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

One thing one needs to check is the scale and the enviormental conditions when weighing bullets.

A slight breeze in the reloading room (it dont take much) can give you a couple tenths of a grn.

Weigh the same bullet several times and see what happens. I think you'll be supprised.

I think I'd concern myself with constant velocity instead of the bullet being a tenth a grain or so off.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boltstop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OK, hotshot - you keep showing the world your dick. We'll see how it all works out in the end. You're a petty little goofball who hasn't got the common sense not to respond to a thread to which you can't offer any constructive assistance.

To your comment, you don't know me, or know anything about me. You haven't the faintest idea who I am, what I do or why. I only know you by how you show me and other posters disrespect, and it's going to end. You're a keyboard bulley and from what I can tell, a nattering little monkey.

Go away. Go find something to do. The adults are talking. </div></div>

Not very impressive when one asks for help.

 

[aloreman]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

People forget that a forum is meant for people to share ideas on topics and discuss them. Everything has been covered somewhere before in the forum. But just because you can read a two year old thr.ead doesnt mean you shouldnt ask and discuss your question. That said.....I weight all my bullets for anything over 300 yds. i sort them into groups and shoot them as a group. Does it make a difference? Fuck if i know. But i have confidence when i take the line that my ammo is the absolute best it can be as is my rifle. And then i know without a doubt in mymind when a bullet lands in the 7 or 8 ring that i put it there.......but when it lands in the x ring I put it there.

 

[aloreman]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

Any amount of work you are willing to put into your reloading process is totaly worth it if its worth it to you

 

[sic65stang]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: aloreman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any amount of work you are willing to put into your reloading process is totaly worth it if its worth it to you </div></div>

+1 Awesome response. I think that reloading can be about many different thing to different people, some its for cost savings, some for ease, a hobby, and others accuracy. If you are in search for the most accurate bullet than by all means weigh each one.

 

[kenmack]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

I was looking for info when I got to armorpl8chikn's post. This thread didn't even get started before he had to stink it up. I have to say that it was uncalled for as he put energy into rudeness when he should have just hit "back" and read another post.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boltstop</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armorpl8chikn</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boltstop</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armorpl8chikn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would give them to someone who likes to shoot, and may actually use them as intended.</div></div>

My guess is that you like to hear yourself talk, so you thought you'd say something "smart." Well, you're not off to such a good start, are you?

</div></div>

Rich, very rich coming from a man who needed to make two posts to ask a simple question, about a subjest that has been covered over and over. This section is chock full of answers to this question. I could point out your many shortcomings but I won't, I expect you already have a firm grasp. </div></div>

OK, hotshot - you keep showing the world your dick. We'll see how it all works out in the end. You're a petty little goofball who hasn't got the common sense not to respond to a thread to which you can't offer any constructive assistance.

To your comment, you don't know me, or know anything about me. You haven't the faintest idea who I am, what I do or why. I only know you by how you show me and other posters disrespect, and it's going to end. You're a keyboard bulley and from what I can tell, a nattering little monkey.

Go away. Go find something to do. The adults are talking. </div></div>

Let me tell you how to make it stop sonny jim. go tell the mods I am picking on you and kicking sand in your face. I am not a bully and I don't flap my gums cause I love the sound.
This kind of subject is posted in here an awful lot, and it NEEDS to stop but isn't likely.

Tell me oh master of the scale where that tenth of a grain comes from. Do you know how much(or little) lead it takes to make 1/10th of a grain? Do you know how small a 1/10th of a grain is?
What kind of scales do you have? You really gonna try and tell me you weigh your bullets on a lab scale? Better not let the staff catch you sneaking stuff like that into a school lab then.

If you can tell me where even a full grain of weight difference resides inside that bullet then I will pack my bags and leave this fucking section and nevre post here again. The only way to test a bullet for its possible consistency is a Juenke machine and I have my doubts about even that.

You are wrong I do know you. I have met you many times in my rather substantial years on this earth. You would rather sit at home and play with gadgets and gizmos and act like you are trying to invent hair growth formula, than to get out and actually shoot every weekend.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

And another thing. You want constructive assistance....wait for it....SHOOT YOUR FUCKING RIFLE.

 

[Rob01]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

Ok everyone lets settle down and get back on subject.

On the subject, I don't weigh anything but the powder charge. Never weighed a bullet and don't plan on it. Same goes for brass. Never had any troubles hitting targets out to 1650 yards with my loads and use factory loads in my 6.5 Creedmoor match rifle which aren't weighed either.

I wouldn't worry about a few tenths. Load them up and shoot them.

 

[rusty815]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok everyone lets settle down and get back on subject.

On the subject, I don't weigh anything but the powder charge. Never weighed a bullet and don't plan on it. Same goes for brass. Never had any troubles hitting targets out to 1650 yards with my loads and use factory loads in my 6.5 Creedmoor match rifle which aren't weighed either.

I wouldn't worry about a few tenths. Load them up and shoot them. </div></div>

agreed. My initial weighing of the bullets was when I first started reloading, it was just for information. the Amax's, although they had the most variance, are the most accurate of the bunch that I use, although I find that the LRX's are easier to load for.

The only thing you need to weigh is the powder charge, get that as close to perfect as possible and you won't have any problems.

 

[boltstop]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gunsnjeeps</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boltstop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OK, hotshot - you keep showing the world your dick. We'll see how it all works out in the end. You're a petty little goofball who hasn't got the common sense not to respond to a thread to which you can't offer any constructive assistance.

To your comment, you don't know me, or know anything about me. You haven't the faintest idea who I am, what I do or why. I only know you by how you show me and other posters disrespect, and it's going to end. You're a keyboard bulley and from what I can tell, a nattering little monkey.

Go away. Go find something to do. The adults are talking. </div></div>

Not very impressive when one asks for help.</div></div>

You'd define what he offered me as "help?" What, are you his big brother or something?

What Rusty, Aloreman, Kraig and Todd offered was actual help borne from real world observations. My initial question was to ask, "When do you start to worry about the weight?" It was a simple question that Nattering Monkey couldn't just pass up - he had to "police" the Reloading Forum, apparently for the greater benefit of all mankind.

Oh, and Nattering Monkey, I DO shoot. Frequently. Been shooting for probably longer than you've been alive. I've shot in competitions, been reloading for cost savings for 8 years - just not for accuracy. Sorry if I disturbed the "highly tactical" nature of your "tactical reloading forum" with a question not worthy of your constructive response.

In the future, kindly avoid reading my posts if they piss you off too greatly. I'll try to dial back they "inexperience" factor so as not to torque you off too greatly.

To the other posters who've offered the help, again - THANKS, and sorry for the mudbath.

 

[DocB]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

boltstop,

Buy in lots of 500, weigh 50. If they vary by more than 1%, call or write the manufacturer. Spend the rest of your time sorting by +/- 0.0025" ogive length lots.

I've had bullet lots where one in 20 were too light or heavy, you can see 1% at the target. Ogive length will have more effect on your vertical due to pressure variation.

Bad lots can come from any maker, I've had them from most of them.

HTH,
DocB

 

[Rob01]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

Boltstop we get a mod alert for the trouble here from you and I come in and tell everyone to get back on topic and then you come in and go off again. Does that make sense? Doesn't to me so I see what my time is worth here so you are on your own.

Anyone else posting off topic will be banned. Don't care who it is.

 

[Tripwire]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

Where do some of these questions come from anyway....damn.

Y'all do know that a grain of bullet weight is 1/7000th of a pound....right?

And that y'all are fussin' over a very minimal fraction of that 1/7000th of a pound....right?

Jeesh........

When I can make two completely different bullet makes, that are two whole grains apart on weight, follow the same trajectory out to as far as each is useful....the 85 grain TSX and the 87 grain Vmax....y'all's fretting over .1 or .2 grains difference seems rather silly to me.

You'll find your time way better spent on tenths of grains of powder charge and thousandths of inches of run out than if or not your bullets weigh perfectly the same.

 

[jwp6114]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armorpl8chikn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would give them to someone who likes to shoot, and may actually use them as intended. </div></div>

agree... just F'n send'em

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: bullet weights - when do you start to worry?

<span style="font-style: italic">"This put me on a tear - how well made are all the bullets? You'd be surprised at the variances."</span>

Not that I care a bit but you are quite 'plain spoken' yourself so I'll inject that you would be surprised at how little those of us who have been reloading/shooting for very long are surprised about; meaning your new found information isn't new to many of us and your mere 8 years of 'experience' really isn't all that much compared to a lot of us.

When you really do have some significant level of experience it won't be necessary to ask others such basic questions as how well 'all the bullets' are made (which is unanswerable anyway) or how much varience in weight YOU should accept, nor will you care how much varience others may accept. The way we learn what makes a difference for us is to try it; THEN we will know.

It really doesn't matter to me how much difference .1 or 5 gr of bullet weight matters to someone else.