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jagfolks
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bullet weight variation
Jan 31st, 2014 at 7:28pm
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I just received 300 bullets from a company that I haven't dealt with before and as there is a variation in bullet weights what is considered as an acceptable weight grouping +/-.2 grain or? 
John L & Boats-thanks for the advice and information that you shared with me, it was appreciated!
  
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boats
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Re: bullet weight variation
Reply #1 - Jan 31st, 2014 at 7:47pm
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Depends on the O/A weight 400 gr bullet 4 grs is only 1 percent.  Tell the truth I don't weight check 
Guessing my 300 grs vary less than 2 grs. Only shooting offhand visual is all mine get.  John would have better advice.

Boats
  
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Schuetzendave
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Re: bullet weight variation
Reply #2 - Jan 31st, 2014 at 8:03pm
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The commercial production of match grade bullets was specified as a variation of less than 1%. Not sure if they still use that standard today.

A 400 grain bullet would be match grade at +/- 2.0 grains; a 300 grain bullet would be match grade at +/- 1.5 grains.

The square sharp base edge has more impact on accuracy than bullet weight variation. 
I tested bullets with sprue holes torn out and found they shot the same as bullets with no metal lost when cutting the sprue. Point of impact and group size never varied for the bullets with different holes in the base from torn sprues (205 grain bullets +/- 1.0 grain)
« Last Edit: Jan 31st, 2014 at 8:11pm by Schuetzendave »  
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jagfolks
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Re: bullet weight variation
Reply #3 - Jan 31st, 2014 at 8:08pm
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I should have added the bullet weight which is 180 grains. I normally use Dave Bennetts 190 grain bullets which never vary over, if that, .1 grain in weight. I just thought that I'd try something that's 12 cents a bullet Vs 40 cents to practice with as, with my lack of skill, I need to get in all the shooting that I can!
  
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boats
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Re: bullet weight variation
Reply #4 - Feb 1st, 2014 at 7:10am
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Like Dave I pay attention to bases more than anything else. Cull out bullets that have rounded groves generally when the mold is not up to temp, shoot them as fowlers. They work pretty good and must be lighter.

Drop to sort to store then lube and load they get 4 or 5 looks.  Have weighed never found visual inspection to be improved on.

If I had a electronic scale may see it different.

Boats
« Last Edit: Feb 1st, 2014 at 7:19am by boats »  
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boats
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Re: bullet weight variation
Reply #5 - Feb 1st, 2014 at 7:18am
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Few times I weighed ran 10 figured the mean set the scale. Then plus one pile minus another spot on third pile. Store in 38 pistol boxes, lubed then shot as a lot.  So the lot variance was less than the plus minus.

Boats
  
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John Boy
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Re: bullet weight variation
Reply #6 - Feb 1st, 2014 at 9:45am
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Weight variance becomes a concern shooting the longer distances.  A 1 gr variance for the same batch of reloads at 1000 yds is 4 MOA.  The BPCR rule of thumb for long range is the variance of a fixed 0.5gr
  
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boats
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Re: bullet weight variation
Reply #7 - Feb 1st, 2014 at 10:22am
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If I shot long range or bench would worry more about it.  Guessing my sort into 3 lots of weights method will give less than 1 gr variance within the lot.  I stay 500 meters and under with the 38/55.  New 40/65 may work on longer distances and would probably weight sort.

Boats
  
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marlinguy
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Re: bullet weight variation
Reply #8 - Feb 1st, 2014 at 11:24am
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I also weigh and sort bullets, but I shoot them all. I keep those that fall into my weight range for accurate shooting, and group the others as heavier or lighter, and use them to plink or practice. 
I do a physical exam of everything I cast, and melt down whatever has any irregularities on the base, as I've found those to be a bigger problem than small weight variations.
  

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Old-Win
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Re: bullet weight variation
Reply #9 - Feb 1st, 2014 at 11:56am
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Johnboy,
Not trying to be contrary or anything here, but where did you pull your information from?  Is there a ballistics program that shows that?   A 1 gr variance on a 535 gr bullet is less than 2 tenths of 1 percent. Can that actually mean 40" at a 1000 yds?  If so, I'm going to have to tighten my standards.  Bob
  
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SSShooter
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Re: bullet weight variation
Reply #10 - Feb 1st, 2014 at 6:52pm
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Am sorting all my bullets (38cal from 315gr to 366gr and 40cal from 370gr to 440gr) into 1gr (+/- 0.5gr)  lots. Like boats, am using the 38cal & 40cal styrofoam inserts. Very handy as one can write the bullet weights on the side. Only 12-1300 more to go for the season.
  

Glenn - 2x CPA 44 1/2 w/22LR (Shilen ratchet-rifled & Bartlein 5R rifled), 38-40RH & 38-55WCF (Bartlein 5R rifled) & 40-65WCF (GrnMtn 'X') barrels
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Mick B
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Re: bullet weight variation
Reply #11 - Feb 2nd, 2014 at 5:36am
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SSS shooter
You wouldn't care to swap ten of your .38 cal money bullets for ten if my PJ Spitzers would you ?. I would be happy to send my ten first so you can examine the quality prior to a decision. As my bullets are already lubed with SPG this may be a problem if you don't like SPG. The bullet weighs approximately 325gr in 20-1 and all ten would be exactly the same weight. The bullet is a tapered design and really shoots best when breech seated in my CPA Stevens.
I intend to try it tomorrow as fixed ammunition seated shallow with some cork wads between the bullet base and the powder. you never know this might do the trick.
You can contact me at mickjbateman@gmail.com if you are interested. In case you don't know, I'm situated in Australia which may influence your decision owing to postage costs. No offence taken of course if you are not interested. Basically I'm trying to avoid buying any more moulds that may not work.
Mike.
  
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SSShooter
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Re: bullet weight variation
Reply #12 - Feb 2nd, 2014 at 6:42am
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Mick - just checked and it is $25USD to send the bullets. I'll send 25 if you pay for the shipping (and it is legal, of course), but at that cost, think I'll skip trying yours.
  

Glenn - 2x CPA 44 1/2 w/22LR (Shilen ratchet-rifled & Bartlein 5R rifled), 38-40RH & 38-55WCF (Bartlein 5R rifled) & 40-65WCF (GrnMtn 'X') barrels
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