Bullet Tipping first try

[SG4247]

Got a used Forster/Widden tipping die from a member here. Came with .243 stuff so I tried it today.

Took some trial and error, initially I saw micro cracks in the jacket after tipping. These are Berger 109 Hybrids.

So my process ended up:
1. trim to bullet to desired length.
2. Set adjuster to “zero” - just touching bullet.
3. Point .005”.
4. Deburr tip with 0000 steel wool.
5. Point again to .010” (.005” more).
6. Inspect

Is this even close to what others do?

I have no idea, input appreciated.

 

[acloco]

Yes. Some bullet pointing dies produce two angles, but yours will work great.

 

[rwj]

I’d contact the die manufacturer to verify you’re using the correct insert for tipping that bullet. Did you measure the bullet body diameter before then after tipping to determine if its being altered?

 

[SG4247]

Actually Widden doesn’t show a die insert for the 109 Hybrid on their list, so I used a #1 insert - what was called out for similar bullets on their list.

Is it right? Dunno, I will call them tomorrow.

No I didnt measure the body diameter. But I will.

 

[1shot]

Those bullets look good. I have found over time that I like to have the dimension of the tip and the amount of the tip angle to be close to the same measurement.
My process is as follows.
1. Weight sort a 10% sampling of the total group of bullets.
2. Determine the minimal amout of trim to clean up the shortest of that lot. (I have found that this really reduces the weight spread within the batch).
3. Point using the method described above.
Over the years, I have found this to really cut down on vertical at 1K.