Bullets not being a standard size

[Rustystud]

Over the last year I have found three major bullet manufactures "like" bullets not measuring or weighing the same. I mean big differences in bearing surface lengths.030"-.051" differences in length for the same weight and bullet type.

This makes for variable seating lengths and differences in friction in the barrel causing extreme spread differences.

Custom made or CNC made bullets are looking better and better every day.

Nat Lambeth

 

[Terry]

Are these Match bullets?

 

[ShootDots]

Hello Nat.. I always run about a dozen bullets to find the "base-to-ogive" to see how "good" they are. Lately, even with Berger's I have been finding rather large discrepancies, by as much a 4K... Now additionally, I have seen (not normally by any stretch) from one lot to another as high as 18K difference between the lots... Usually the lot to lot variations fun 4-7k... Still, I don't like that much either.. So I know what you are saying... I may consider some custom bullet maker(s) in the relatively near future..

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The 105 Berger hybrids lots I have used went from .2432-.2437, and I have heard of some ever fatter. I turn my necks after I have my lot of bullets because they vary so much.

 

[Rustystud]

Yes, Match and premium hunting bullets.

Weight variance +/- 3 grains

length variances +/- .06"

diameter variances +/- .015"

bearing surface length variances +/- .051"

Yes, this is with premium grade and priced bullets.

I purchased some custom made bullets and they were all spot on in every demention.

I have changed to a tipped monolithic, bearing banded bullets in my hunting rifles due to the poor QC with the bullets I have been shooting. I have been very pleasantly surprised how accurate and how much velocity I am getting out of these newer type bullets. I may try them in some target rifle applications.
Nat Lambeth

 

[lpreddick]

i bought a popular brand 87 gr bullet and out of the 100 NONE weighed 87 gr and the base to ogive was all over the place...no more than 12 the same! two were so off that average people could hold them up and see the difference. i contacted the manufacturer and they sent me replacements. get this, the lot number was the same BUT the weights were 99% 87 gr and base to ogive was the same for the 100! i have read that they don't have 2-8 bullet makers dumping into a common container, so my guess is a computer f__t. i rarely buy anyting but customs.

 

[bugman]

Not surprised about everything written so far. Variance in weight and base -to ogive length is nothing new, and has "usually" been part of most competitive shooter's culling methods.

The width of the bearing surface/pressure ring is the latest concern. Some bullets are "fat" and some are "skinny", and the really wide OD's are a nightmare with pressure variance....try squeezing a .24390 bullet OD thru a .24350 freebore width and see what you get on paper. At the very least, you better not turn necks before you have your bullets in-hand.

Some manufacturers are more guilty of this than others. My guess (have no proof of this)is that dies are wearing out before they are replaced, and many fat bullets are sold before the problem is detected. I can speculate this happening when every bullet is bought as soon as it is produced, and/or production standards are not what they used to be.

Jack

 

[Hoier]

My guess is right now they are tryin to pump out as many bulkets as they can and qc is taking a hit.

 

[finnaddict]

Nothing like a undersized "skinny" bullet in a larger bore. Had a lot of .30 caliber 195 gr match projos measure .3059 not long ago. Used two calipers to make sure i wasnt hallucinating. Never found out where those 6 rounds went down range if that is where they went. I promptly sent them back for replacements. Just grateful i didnt find out at a match.

 

[338 Mollett]

I retest all new lot numbers of bullets and powder anymore.I have some friends went to a match in Florida from Kentucky years ago and a third of the bullets never made it to the target.