Bullet Sorting - or Not

[dthomas]

Good point so any bullet that shoots a 9 I should never shoot that bullet again. I’m with you brother been there done that

I sort them before shooting just like anyone else just sometimes a 9 ring bullet gets mixed in. But if you shoot a nine definitely don't shoot that bullet again

 

[rfd]

I don't shoot F-Class and no longer load copper jkt'd bullets. I only cast .45 bullets and slicks to build long range cartridges that are fueled by black powder. But the idea of consistency is the same for any projectiles that are aimed at best consistent accuracy - all are checked for weight, size, and the overall consistency of the casting. Just like the arrow is more important than the bow, the firearm projectile is more important than the firearm itself.

 

[Fire Dog]

I suppose this is a "get your popcorn ready" question and i know there are already lots of threads with parts of this question. For F-class do your sort bullets? If so, by weight, length or BTO. How do you group them? Does it really matter?

According to a custom bullet maker that I use, BTO is more important than weight.,
Within reason, BTO first then weight sort which in my case is pretty consistent.
For F Open I now just sort BTO and as others have mentioned, seating depth/powder charge followed by primer and neck tension is critical.

 

[DaveTooley]

Most things don't matter until you get to 600 yds. Then the dominate variable is the meplat in a HP bullet. Yes I have the data. I've measured variations in BC as high .040 in the most extreme cases. Most were .020-.030. The only way to solve that is to trim meplats. 80% clean up is all that's needed.
BC variations from ogive to base variations were miniscule.
The most consistent BC bullets have tips.

 

[Jet]

Most things don't matter until you get to 600 yds. Then the dominate variable is the meplat in a HP bullet. Yes I have the data. I've measured variations in BC as high .040 in the most extreme cases. Most were .020-.030. The only way to solve that is to trim meplats. 80% clean up is all that's needed.
BC variations from ogive to base variations were miniscule.
The most consistent BC bullets have tips.

Dave
Do you just advocate trimming or trimming and pointing?

Rich

 

[Chaotik]

I have sorted bullets by several methods including weight, BTO, bearing surface, OAL, ogive radius (using a BGC) and meplat diameter (with pin gauges). In the past I would frequently combine sorting with the BGC, then sub-sorting into OAL. For custom bullets especially, I no longer sort using a BGC. Now I am pretty much taking bullets out of the box, trimming and pointing (using the MTAP) and then sorting if needed by length (measured from bullet base to ~0.050 diameter from the tip of the nose. The meplat diameter is reduced to 0.

 

[DaveTooley]

Dave
Do you just advocate trimming or trimming and pointing?

Rich

Trimming can't cause problems. Over pointing can deform the ogive. I err on the side of simple and just trim. The spread between trimmed vs trimmed and pointed in BC is only about 4%
I would hope I could call wind and manage wind changes so the 4% gets lost in the noise.

 

[qldreloader]

For f class I sort all my bullets by x or 10 ring. The rest get used for fowlers. The problem comes in when somehow I miss a bunch of 9 ring bullets and put them with my good ones.

Do you use rounds loaded with the X ring bullets for sighters? I've been doing that lately and then going straight to 10 and 9 ring bullets for the first scoring shots.

 

[quest450]

Not an Fclass shooter but pretty timely subject of trimming and pointing
I’m actually trimming custom bullets as we speak getting a batch ready for upcoming 600 yd match and yes I’ll point them next

 

[quest450]

This is a cool little tool CTK Precision makes to set up your pointing die and make sure you’re not over pointing and not deforming the jacket

 

[piaa1209]

This is a cool little tool CTK Precision makes to set up your pointing die and make sure you’re not over pointing and not deforming the jacket

View attachment 1751556

this tool works the best

 

[DaveTooley]

I'll add you don't have to trim the meplats until they're perfect. About 80% clean up solves the problem.

 

[Rainbow1]

This is a cool little tool CTK Precision makes to set up your pointing die and make sure you’re not over pointing and not deforming the jacket

View attachment 1751556

Doesn’t look like they have it available any longer.

 

[piaa1209]

Contact Accuracy One Shooting supplies, Tyrone, PA. They have them at the shop.

 

[ELR LVR]

As someone once said...

"Believe the Target"

I'm pretty sure that someone on here has empirical data to back up bullet sorting, as well as other intrinsic variables associated with bullets, such as weight, OAL, etc. The more I look into all of this and to some extent doing it as well, I am beginning to believe that most this is based on "feelings".

Self-Confidence, Power of Suggestion
is very powerful
and a good percentage of the accuracy eqaution
if you are not confident in yourself or your rifle, you will not shoot as well
things that makes me feel better in my loads, I will do even if I cannot 100% prove they work every time.
Some things I have tried and experimented with, have shocked me with the positive results
even, if they did not repeat 100%, they do make me more confident.
---
Sorting brass by ones that all shot into one hole vs by weight is one example
I like to keep any brass that shot in the .1's batched together

 

[6BRA]

This is a cool little tool CTK Precision makes to set up your pointing die and make sure you’re not over pointing and not deforming the jacket

View attachment 1751556

Whats this measuring? BTO?

 

[quest450]

Whats this measuring? BTO?

It's not BTO it is measuring higher up on a bullet much closer to the tip
If you squeeze the tip too much it will bulge and deform the jacket
I zero my calipers before pointing and check again after pointing to make sure there's no damage and the calipers is still showing 0.000"
I mostly use it when I'm setting up my pointing die and then I'll check randomly just to make sure everything is good.....hope it makes sense.

 

[Larry Koch]

Sort by. color and smell.

 

[True Grit]

So you take a custom hand pulled bullet and custom it some more. The common man doesn't stand a chance.

 

[FarmallSM]

I’m going down this path now. Just started f class, 600&1000yds. The consensus of opinions among my fellow competitors, not a scientific study by any means, is to sort by overall length in to .002” lots Then point each lot.
I just sorted 1500 Berger 180 Hybrids. Most fell within +- .006”. Worst was -.014” & +.012”.
I was shocked at how inconsistent and even ragged the factory points are. My OCD is going to mandate trimming and pointing. At the very least they’ll look consistent and pretty.
Not sure my shooting ability, or lack there off, will be able to tell the difference on target. YET!