Bullet Sorting?

[KenOath]

I sort all my batches of bullets base to ogive using a Sinclair sorting stand,my questions are if I was to sort two different batch numbers of the same bullet and they were within +/- .001" (2 thou difference) of one another would you call it good and carry on with same load? Or if the variance was say 3-4 thou difference between each batch is it just a matter of adjusting Seating depth and testing?I will be testing anyhow but curious to know how others go about different batches of projectiles for a given Barrel.

Cheers for any info/advice Rushty

 

[dmoran]

My own input; - just don't mix them. Finish off one Lot before moving on to the next.
For further comparison, you may want to measure/compare the diameters, OAL, and weights.
The new Lot may need a tweek or two.
Good Luck
Donovan

 

[Ned Ludd]

You may find they load/shoot exactly the same, or very close. Then again, they may not. Diameter at various points along the entire bullet length, concentricity, ogive radius, and jacket thickness are some of the variables that can be different and simply won't show up just by sorting base to ogive. You can always try a quick and dirty test; load the old ones and new ones exactly the same, shoot them side-by-side, and see if the new ones shoot just as well. If not, I'd suggest working up a load for the new Lot independently. It may not be quite as painful as a complete load development from scratch. If you're using the same Lots of powder, primers, and brass, chances are very good you'll already some information about the charge weight/velocity range, which may streamline development with the new Lot of bullets as opposed to starting from scratch. In the long run, you're probably better off treating any new component/Lot # as a "new" development. I've had some Lots that measured close and ended up very close to the previous Lot. I've also had others that measured close and behaved like they were a completely different bullet.

 

[6BRinNZ]

Rule of thumb is don't mix lots. Second rule is try them to see if there is a difference. If they shoot the same I still keep them separated.. .Just in case.
If they do shoot different I go to seating depth. But that is my process and meets my needs.
I have one lot that has a base to ogive increase of .040. That has proven to need a full load work up.

 

[Richard Coody]

Different manufacturers require different methods. I weigh sort and then sort by base to ogive. On long range loads i use the whidden pointing die.

Take a 100 of your favorite hornady bullets and 100 berger hybrid targets and a 100 serria match kings and sort them. Let us know what your conclusions are

 

[KenOath]

I don't physically mix batches together but have to use different batches per barrel, reason being I had to buy what was available for a recent Dasher Barrel and that was 2000 Siarra 107s of 2 different batches. The difference between the two is .004" bto.. I've worked up a load with first batch and hopefully that will give me a close starting point for second batch and retest.
I have 3000 Berger Huntings for a future BRA Barrel unfortunately again had to buy what was available two different batches.

I haven't gone down the road of weighing bullets as I didn't think a Chargemaster would be enough scale, I recently purchased a fx120i though so may look into it now..


I do intend on testing these different batches for myself, with the above generous advice I may be able to do it a bit more efficiently.

Many thanks Rushty