Concentricity Gauge

[HillBillyPirate]

Anyone else sort their match 22 ammo with a concentricity gauge? Made this one on a 3D printer. Works fairly well.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Anyone else sort their match 22 ammo with a concentricity gauge? Made this one on a 3D printer. Works fairly well.

A few years ago I sorted a Federal Value Pack into 3 piles where one pile had very loose bullets that would tilt back an forth a little, another pile that did the same (just slightly) and the other pile the bullets were tightly seated. I wanted to see how much different they printed on paper. To my surprise, I found they all printed the same (no significant difference). Of course, these were not match grade cartridge's, but with as much play there was in the seating of some of those, I though surely there'd be significant difference.

When it comes to .22 rimfire cartridges, the only sorting method that actually worked for me was inspecting each bullet for uniformity (like, those with no dents, dings or scratches and uniform seating and drive bands). Match grade ammo, like with Lapua's and Eley's (even some SK's) could be found to have the least amount of deformations. In my limited experience in testing various 22 ammo, I couldn't find a difference in their concentricity that made any difference.

 

[HillBillyPirate]

A few years ago I sorted a Federal Value Pack into 3 piles where one pile had very loose bullets that would tilt back an forth a little, another pile that did the same (just slightly) and the other pile the bullets were tightly seated. I wanted to see how much different they printed on paper. To my surprise, I found they all printed the same (no significant difference). Of course, these were not match grade cartridge's, but with as much play there was in the seating of some of those, I though surely there'd be significant difference.

When it comes to .22 rimfire cartridges, the only sorting method that actually worked for me was inspecting each bullet for uniformity (like, those with no dents, dings or scratches and uniform seating and drive bands). Match grade ammo, like with Lapua's and Eley's (even some SK's) could be found to have the least amount of deformations. In my limited experience in testing various 22 ammo, I couldn't find a difference in their concentricity that made any difference.

Interesting information. I plan to find 10 of the Eley Match my rifle likes that are near zero runout. Then find the worst ten and shoot them to see of there is a difference. A friend we shoot with has 27 yards inside. Working on a way to set my action up in a vice and take the human error out as much as possible.

 

[TRSR8]

You’re wasting your time, this was beat to death years ago.

 

[rimfireshooter]

I sorted a couple years ago and came to the conclusion that 22 ammo is junk.
If you can find a lot number that shoots best in your rifle, buy the most ammo you can of that lot number. Thats as good as it gets.

That said, theres nothing wrong with collecting data. Youll come to your own conclusions.

I like the concentricity gauge the op created.

 

[HillBillyPirate]

I sorted a couple years ago and came to the conclusion that 22 ammo is junk.
If you can find a lot number that shoots best in your rifle, buy the most ammo you can of that lot number. Thats as good as it gets.

That said, theres nothing wrong with collecting data. Youll come to your own conclusions.

I like the concentricity gauge the op created.

Thank you sir! 3D printing is next level. I cant wait until the metal ones are affordable.

 

[BoydAllen]

A friend who does very well in local club .22 BR matches built a RF concentricity gauge similar to the one that the OP posted a picture of. He uses it to sort his Lapua Center X, what he tells me is that it is not so much that bullets are at an angle to the case, but that the noses of some bullets are formed imperfectly. Using his tuners, he is able to tune for differences between lots. He has gotten very good at this. IMO these ball bearing type concentricity gauges are so simple that just about anyone could make one if he was sufficiently motivated.