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Unknown Bullet Type
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 6:43 am
by edchef
Hi
I have recently acquired some .223 bullets and a few of them are loose in a bag
Do I need to find out exactly what type they are ( other than Metal Jacket with soft tips ) or , could I substitute them for where any similar type of bullet is suggested of the same weight and type?
Is this safe ? I haven't actually started reloading yet - just collecting bits and pieces together at the moment.
Thanks
Ed
Re: Unknown Bullet Type
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 8:23 am
by 20series
Ed
I assume you have the appropriate license conditions for expanding ammo!!
Personally I'm not keen on have unknown bullets as you have no idea what they are likely to do or if they work really well how do I get more.
Alan
Re: Unknown Bullet Type
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 8:31 am
by ovenpaa
Metal jacket with an open lead nose would suggest they were for hunting so are expanding ammunition. Any chance of posting some picture up?
Re: Unknown Bullet Type
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 8:41 am
by edchef
Yes - I do have permission for expanding ammo - as I intend to do some pest control but these came as a job lot
I should be able to get the info from the chap who sold them to me but I was just wondering what the general rule is.
I'll try to get a picture over the next day or two
Thanks
Re: Unknown Bullet Type
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:38 am
by ovenpaa
Good you are ok with expanding so next thing is see if you can group them by appearance and weigh them, once you have the weight measure them for length and see if you can find them by picture on a manufacturers site. If you have enough and can identify them it could be a handy way of doing some load development.
Re: Unknown Bullet Type
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:26 am
by Sandgroper
edchef wrote:
Do I need to find out exactly what type they are ( other than Metal Jacket with soft tips ) or , could I substitute them for where any similar type of bullet is suggested of the same weight and type?
Is this safe?
Ed
The loads quoted in the manuals have been made using the listed bullets. Realistically, there shouldn't be a problem using bullets of the same weight and type as long as you play it safe and work up sensibly. However, you are deviating from the published load and as 20series said
Personally I'm not keen on have unknown bullets as you have no idea what they are likely to do or if they work really well how do I get more.