bullet sorting questions

[jd12]

I would like a few people's thoughts on bullet sorting. I believe the fewer variables we can get rid of the better just wondering where i need to draw the line. i am currently first sorting my bullets by weight in .1 grain batches, 180 grain bergers and jlk's) then sort those batches by .001 bearing lengths, are these precise enough groups? I guess my main question is from what i have read bearing surface is said to be the more critical of the two sorting processes, culling out weighted bullets outside the + or -.2 target weight of coarse), if i took a group of the same bearing surface bullets how much would combining 179.8 and 179.9 together and 180.0-180.1 together to make two groups instead of four effect my vertical at 1000 yds or should i leave them separated? I ordered a hoover metplate trimmer and bullet tipping setup was hoping it would be here by this friday but no luck. I am assuming it is better to trim before weight sorting. I shoot 600 to 1000 yard f-class with a .284 win, using sorted and prepped lapua brass.In search of illusive perfect waterline as everyone is!

 

[jd12]

No opinions one way or the either?

 

[JCummings]

I personally believe that bullet sorting helps if you are buying factory bullets to shoot in competition that requires precision and accuracy,such as benchrest or F class). I haven't found it necessary with Berger bullets or custom bullets because they are all so close in size and weight that it is a waste of time. Personally for competition I'd rather buy bullets I don't need to sort. For highpower competition the target does not require that kind or precision so sorting is a waste of time,10 ring is around 2 MOA in highpower). I have other things I'd rather spend my time on.

 

[johara1]

I sort by bearing surface and then by weight, same as you. now i measure by over all length and keep them a couple thou. es and sd are down. tested at 300 stays under .6 and at five around 1' .........jim

 

[6BRonwheels]

Hi JD,
I would not get too obsessed with sorting bullets. As long as the weight is within .2 grains, and bearing surfaces are within .002. In reality, condition reading is much more critical at long range.
Good Luck,
Jack

 

[jd12]

Thanks for the info, thats one of mine and i think many others problems is we only have so much time so a person tries to figure out where to best spend it .I wont make the same mistake next year I'm going to start sorting bullets shortly after nationals this fall and early winter so i am more prepared in the spring with enough for the whole summer with some to spare.I just recieved 600-6.5mm & 600-7mm JLK bullets today that i ordered in april, I will see how uniform they are compared to the bergers i have already sorted. thanks john

 

[johara1]

jd12, I thin you will be happy with the JLK bullets. I've checked lots of different ones and SMK were the worst,out as much as .062 bearing surface.that was out of a hundred,so to some it seems like a waste of time but to me it's worth it,no surprises.
reading the wind is the most important but you can work on that if your rest works......jim

 

[queen_stick]

jd12, I thin you will be happy with the JLK bullets. I've checked lots of different ones and SMK were the worst,out as much as .062 bearing surface.that was out of a hundred,so to some it seems like a waste of time but to me it's worth it,no surprises.
reading the wind is the most important but you can work on that if your rest works......jim

I've heard from multiple people that SMK's are the worst for bearing surface differences. Some lots have little variance, other lots have way too much, just as Jim mentioned above. I'm new to the game, and have not done any bullet sorting, so I can't offer any advice based on experience. Although, I've done a ton of research, and spoken with a lot people who have had success with bearing-surface sorting only. I would imagine it's not hurting anything to sort by weight, but it may be considered overkill to a lot of people.

Walt

 

[jd12]

I just finished measuring and sorting the last of my JLKs, here is what i found out of 300 sierra, 900 berger, 600 jlk..Sierra had the biggest bearing surface differences +.022 to -.031, Berger was better but had two groups, first varied by +.003 to -.003 with majority being from +.002 to -.002. Second varied from -.007 to -.012 with a small lot being -.013 to -.017. The JLK were the best with about 300 being between +.0005 to -.0005, about 150 +.001, 100 -.001, remaining 50 were either +.002 or -.002 about equal number. The JLK also had the best looking and most uniform metplates.The weights were very uniform also .

 

[JCummings]

jd12:
Now you should try an experiment and let us know the result. Take some of the sorted bullets and load them all the same. Do not adjust the seating die for the 'different' bullets. Take the loads to the range and shoot them carefully. Tell us if there is any difference in the POI. If not then the sorting was a waste of time. If so tell us how much. If it is not over 1/2 MOA then it is a waste for F class as that is the size of the x ring. I suspect that only benchrest requires the degree of precision that would make it possibly worth the time. That is why custom bullets all out of 1 die are the rule in benchrest competition. I would love to know the result so I hope you will do the experiment. I can't do the experiment myself right now as recent neck surgery prevents me from shooting centerfire rifles.