So what do you get in a big bag of cheap bullets?

[ovenpaa]

Apologies for the thread hijack Dougan!

I have know bought some Berger 155.5's and although I have only loaded some test rounds, they also appear to be inconsistent - which is a real pain in the behind.

The problem I find with trying to measure them is that depending on how hard/soft they are placed in the callipers & comparator the reading can differ quite a bit and it is possible to get a number of different readings for the same bullet. If anyone knows how to prevent this I would love to hear from you how you do it, DM

DM, are you measuring them with a comparator on the ogive or to the meplat? If it is a comparator what sort?

[Dougan]

Apologies for the thread hijack Dougan!

I have know bought some Berger 155.5's and although I have only loaded some test rounds, they also appear to be inconsistent - which is a real pain in the behind.

The problem I find with trying to measure them is that depending on how hard/soft they are placed in the callipers & comparator the reading can differ quite a bit and it is possible to get a number of different readings for the same bullet. If anyone knows how to prevent this I would love to hear from you how you do it, DM

DM, are you measuring them with a comparator on the ogive or to the meplat? If it is a comparator what sort?

Not at all :) - it's very interesting...although you have started 'speaking in tongues' again :P


Does anyone know about the little hole in the tip of some FMJs - does this not affect the aerodynamics, and wouldn't a 'perfectly pointed tip' be better ? :?

[dromia]

It has not noticeable effect, it is quiet common with point drawn quality cases like Match Kings or Scenars . That is why OAL is best measured fron the ogive as the drawing of the jacket means that the bullets are not a consistent length base to tip.

Now proper cast boolits don't have that problem.

[ovenpaa]

What you can do is trim the meplat (pointy end) so all bullets are the same length and then point them by putting them in a tipping die. I seem to remember the FB listoids referring to this as 'buggering flies'

Trimming and pointing does give change the BC of the bullet and gives a reduction of 1.25MOA at 1000 yards for my 7mm, so the rifle is shooting 15" higher in other words. next thing is measuring the length of the bearing surface and a certain Mr Spud of this parish is doing this as we speak with interesting results which hopefully he will post up very shortly.

[Dougan]

What you can do is trim the meplat (pointy end)

- That's more like it :lol:

Even at 1000 yrds, 15" is a big difference....it's fascinating the effect all these differences can make :geek:

Will look out for Spud's report...

[Dangermouse]

I am measuring to the ogive - although I wonder if the pointy end might give more consistent results!
I am currently using the Hornady Comparator with the correct body insert for .308. (that is a red one on p29 of the current Sinclair's catalogue - which is my mouse pad)!

In the 30 Min's that I have been absent I have just loaded a series of test rounds for the SMK 175's - as I have 150+ sitting I might as well get some details for them whilst I am doing this just in case I return to them in future.
To underline my frustration I have just found one 175gn bullet that was .030" shorter than the rest? I had to pull it to make sure that I had not got a foreign round in my tub.

:cool2:

DM