Small Test of Nosler RDF consistency

[Ledd Slinger]

I bought a box of Nosler RDF 6.5mm 140gr bullets because i was curious ti get somewhat of an idea of how consistent they are.

Measuring base to ogive, 0.7715" seemed to be the majority of the lengths. So I made this my median point and set a demanding tolerance standard of +/- 0.0005". I Measured 55 bullets randomly out of the box of 100. Considering 0.7715" as the median measurement, I found 5 bullets that were out of tolerance, but they were still within +/- .001". I was going to measure the whole box, but they were boringly consistent so I stopped at #55.
Pretty darn good length consistency. The RDF meplats are closed very tight, definitely smaller than Berger, and the meplats are also much cleaner and uniform than Berger meplats. Here's a photo of my length measurement results.





Now for the weight test. I put the bullets back in the box, mixed them up and randomly measured the weight of 55 bullets with an A&D FX120i scale. The weights were not nearly as consistent as the lengths...Target weight was of course 140gr. Holding a tolerance of +/- 0.1gr, the results were not very impressive. Here's a photo of my weight measurement results.




The RDF is still a step above anything Hornady has to offer IMO, especially with the conistsency of lengths. The RDF length consistency is very similar to the results I've found with many different Berger bullets. But the RDF bullets are definitely a big step down from the weight consistency I also find with Berger bullets.

This is just a very small sample so take my results as you will. Nothing definitive from measuring only 55 bullets out of a random box of 100. Just thought I'd share my findings

 

[Dgd6mm]

Thanks Ledd, I bought 70, 105, 175 grain RDF's. 3500 total, these will be for steel. I believe they will work, consistent enough for me. The Bergers are my ftr bullet for long range.

 

[hikfromstik]

Thanks for the numbers . I'm gonna give the 130's a try next . Should be like lasers a 2950fps. Looks like nosler has stepped up their consistentsy .

 

[memilanuk]

I'd be interested in some other measurements... like base-to-ogive, or bearing surface...

Seems like people either love 'em or hate 'em. Around here, they seem to have acquired the nick name 'Random Damn Flyers'... kind of like back in the day I knew some shooters that referred to Hornady A-Maxes as being like Cracker Jacks... 'a surprise in every box'

The A-Max thing was pretty easily attributed to loose tips. I'm a bit curious as to what seems to be behind the occasional zinger that people report with the RDFs... over-tipping?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I'd be interested in some other measurements... like base-to-ogive, or bearing surface...

Seems like people either love 'em or hate 'em. Around here, they seem to have acquired the nick name 'Random Damn Flyers'... kind of like back in the day I knew some shooters that referred to Hornady A-Maxes as being like Cracker Jacks... 'a surprise in every box'

The A-Max thing was pretty easily attributed to loose tips. I'm a bit curious as to what seems to be behind the occasional zinger that people report with the RDFs... over-tipping?

They were most likely the wildest bullets ive ever shot. Wanted them to shoot so bad but they wouldnt. Maybe theyre better now

 

[normmatzen]

I tried 1300 of the 105 6mm RDF's and after initially getting good results I found some old SMK's and A-MAX's shot better consistently.
Now I am back to SMK's as the Berger Hybrids are WAY too expensive and I had been having questionable results with the last few boxes.

I'm going to try 105 ELD-M as well as they shoot lights out in my 284 WIN heavy gun,

 

[L W P]

I bought a box of Nosler RDF 6.5mm 140gr bullets because i was curious ti get somewhat of an idea of how consistent they are.

Measuring base to ogive, 0.7715" seemed to be the majority of the lengths. So I made this my median point and set a demanding tolerance standard of +/- 0.0005". I Measured 55 bullets randomly out of the box of 100. Considering 0.7715" as the median measurement, I found 5 bullets that were out of tolerance, but they were still within +/- .001". I was going to measure the whole box, but they were boringly consistent so I stopped at #55.
Pretty darn good length consistency. The RDF meplats are closed very tight, definitely smaller than Berger, and the meplats are also much cleaner and uniform than Berger meplats. Here's a photo of my length measurement results.

View attachment 1047171



Now for the weight test. I put the bullets back in the box, mixed them up and randomly measured the weight of 55 bullets with an A&D FX120i scale. The weights were not nearly as consistent as the lengths...Target weight was of course 140gr. Holding a tolerance of +/- 0.1gr, the results were not very impressive. Here's a photo of my weight measurement results.

View attachment 1047172


The RDF is still a step above anything Hornady has to offer IMO, especially with the conistsency of lengths. The RDF length consistency is very similar to the results I've found with many different Berger bullets. But the RDF bullets are definitely a big step down from the weight consistency I also find with Berger bullets.

This is just a very small sample so take my results as you will. Nothing definitive from measuring only 55 bullets out of a random box of 100. Just thought I'd share my findings

I've noticed the same weight test but mine varied .9 tenths from high to low where as from your chart it looks like yours are .46 tenths. I would be happier with yours instead of my lot variation. Then I think that I could settle on having sorted 2 batches instead of 3-4, out of the 1000 that I purchased.

 

[suasponte]

R - eally
D - rastic
F - lyers

Terry

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I remember years ago measuring Nosler Partitions and Accubond for hunting rifles. They were so bad I just gave up. Been shooting Berger in hunting rifles for over a decade now.

I was surprised at the RDF weight inconsistency after getting pretty good results on measurments. Just goes to show that Nosler still can't make a good core. I would also hazard a guess that the core weights aren't as concentric as Berger either. A hair out of balance and you've got a really bad flier.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I'd be interested in some other measurements... like base-to-ogive, or bearing surface...

Seems like people either love 'em or hate 'em. Around here, they seem to have acquired the nick name 'Random Damn Flyers'... kind of like back in the day I knew some shooters that referred to Hornady A-Maxes as being like Cracker Jacks... 'a surprise in every box'

The A-Max thing was pretty easily attributed to loose tips. I'm a bit curious as to what seems to be behind the occasional zinger that people report with the RDFs... over-tipping?

The measurments are base to ogive at the depth of the lands/rifling...base to 0.256" touch point.

 

[memilanuk]

The measurments are base to ogive at the depth of the lands/rifling...base to 0.256" touch point.

Ah. Lack of sleep on my part; I was thinking they were OAL.

 

[L W P]

Also on the RDF's I have heard that they like a jump seat. I tried that test first with not so good results. Now I'm finding much better groups with seating tests between 15 thousands off lands to touching. I haven't finished my last test yet to determine my final seating point. But for my rifle it's closer than farther away from the lands.

 

[LGKLAS]

Good info, thanx all. I just bought a couple boxes of these and loaded a few using Superformance. Not enough sample size to learn anything worth reporting here. And I did not experience any fliers. Now getting ready to load some using RL-17. Appreciate the measurements. They are long little devils.

 

[ShootDots]

I tried 1300 of the 105 6mm RDF's and after initially getting good results I found some old SMK's and A-MAX's shot better consistently.
Now I am back to SMK's as the Berger Hybrids are WAY too expensive and I had been having questionable results with the last few boxes.

I'm going to try 105 ELD-M as well as they shoot lights out in my 284 WIN heavy gun,

I just got a "relatively" new 6 x 47, 1-8 twist. My fav 6mm bullet is the Berger 108BT. However, after EXTENSIVE testing in this rifle, they shot like a blunderbuss! This is the first 6mm I know of that won't shoot them. So I tried the 105 Scenar, which is another super accurate bullet. Well they shot excellently! However, their B.C.'s are in the basement as far as 105 class bullets go. I found a single 100 box of 107SMKs. I gave them a good run and they shoot very well indeed! I doubt I could find a more accurate load>>>>maybe a bullet it's equal, but not MORE accurate! This has given me a good jolt! So I decided to try the 142s in my 6.5 x 284>>>they also shoot very, very well! I am beginning to think that Sierra may have finally got their "act" together! I certainly hope so!

 

[josebd]

The measurments are base to ogive at the depth of the lands/rifling...base to 0.256" touch point.

So is that right where the bearing surface starts?

 

[rardoin]

They were most likely the wildest bullets ive ever shot. Wanted them to shoot so bad but they wouldnt. Maybe theyre better now

My experience also with the 140gr RDF's. Yes, my lot was very consistent in BTO and weight.....however, my F-class scores improved a bit when I changed to a different bullet. My unexpected purely vertical '9' shots were dramatically reduced over 20 shot strings. Sold off the remainder of that 2000 bullet lot.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I just got a "relatively" new 6 x 47, 1-8 twist. My fav 6mm bullet is the Berger 108BT. However, after EXTENSIVE testing in this rifle, they shot like a blunderbuss! This is the first 6mm I know of that won't shoot them. So I tried the 105 Scenar, which is another super accurate bullet. Well they shot excellently! However, their B.C.'s are in the basement as far as 105 class bullets go. I found a single 100 box of 107SMKs. I gave them a good run and they shoot very well indeed! I doubt I could find a more accurate load>>>>maybe a bullet it's equal, but not MORE accurate! This has given me a good jolt! So I decided to try the 142s in my 6.5 x 284>>>they also shoot very, very well! I am beginning to think that Sierra may have finally got their "act" together! I certainly hope so!

I've always found excellent accuracy with Sierra bullets in various calibers. They make great bullets. I will be trying out their new 30 cal 200gr and 230gr in my 300 Norma Improved build with 1 in 8" twist barrel. I expect them to shoot very good as well.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

So is that right where the bearing surface starts?

Roughly. My groove depth is .008" so it should be close. Base to ogive measurements do not tell me the length of the bearing surface tho. Excessive variations in bearing surface lengths can also be detrimental to accuracy. Some folks would say that is one of the most important measurements to check on a bullet and I wouldn't disagree. To get that measurement I would use dual .256" comparators on both ends of the bullet. I just use base to ogive to get a quick idea of whether or not the manufacturer is maintaining any sort of consistency with their jacket forming.

Sometimes bullets will have slightly tapered bearing surfaces as well. You can go crazy with measurments if you're up for the task and have the time.

 

[JimSC]

I tried some of the 6.5's this morning in a .260. It was a perfect mooring for testing wind and mirage wise. I only did 30 rounds with a load that is consistent .5 using a 140 SMK or 140 Nosler CC. I did not even bother saving the targets and ordered 250 of the 140 CC's when I got home. Even though their BC's are not all that the 140 CC's have shot pretty good for me out to 800. After I rebarrel I may switch to 142 SMK's

I did not have much luck with the 70 gr RDF in my .223 either

 

[chet]

I tried some of the 6.5's this morning in a .260. It was a perfect mooring for testing wind and mirage wise. I only did 30 rounds with a load that is consistent .5 using a 140 SMK or 140 Nosler CC. I did not even bother saving the targets and ordered 250 of the 140 CC's when I got home. Even though their BC's are not all that the 140 CC's have shot pretty good for me out to 800. After I rebarrel I may switch to 142 SMK's

I did not have much luck with the 70 gr RDF in my .223 either

hi Jim

I normally don't have much luck with Nosler bullets, but the 22 cal 70RDF in my 223 work good. going to give them a try on groundhogs and see if they expand.

chet