How to color bullet tips to distinguish POI target holes by test powder load and seating depth

[Cassidy]

For the last number of years when testing different powder loads or bullet seating depths, I have sometimes used various colored marking pens such as sharpies to color-code the tip/circumference of each bullet by powder load and/or seating depth. The bullet tips for each load/seating depth have their own designated color. The bullet hole rims on the target paper generally retain the color of the bullet that made the hole. This way for each bullet hole on the target paper I can see (without using a target video) which load/seating depth made each bullet hole by identifying the color left on the bullet hole rim. However, sometimes it is difficult to see the color on the target bullet hole rim. Any recommendations on how to color (which color pens or color solutions, methods etc) to use so I can see the colors on the target bullet hole rims more clearly and consistently so I can more readily identify which load/seating depth created each bullet hole? All comments are welcome!

 

[newbieshooter]

I use sharpies. My mentor taught me to turn the targets over then dab (a small eye dropper or as Alex mentions a QTip helps) a bit of isopropyl alcohol on the backside of the bullet holes. This makes the colors pop/standout on the front ....

 

[Walt Krafft]

An e target will identify each shot in the order you shoot them. Makes it easy to keep track.

 

[pirate ammo]

An e target will identify each shot in the order you shoot them. Makes it easy to keep track.

Walt, some of us are cheap.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have a target camera that marks the holes.. You can group them etc etc. And save the video.. Never had much luck colorin the bullets

 

[Ned Ludd]

Rather than focusing solely on the type pen or marker used, you might want to test a few different types of paper or cardboard as your target material, as well as the backing material. The material the target is made of, as well as the backer material can make a difference in how the color is transferred from the bullet nose as it passes through. It's been a while since I colored bullet tips, but as I recall, fairly heavy white construction paper over a foam posterboard backer gave good results with bullets that had been colored using Sharpie markers.

 

[oht]

The sharpie color order makes a difference to me. At least for longer range testing. Colors that are difficult to discern, should be on opposite ends of test. Below are the color orders I use now FWIW.

Red, Purple, Yellow, Brown, Green, Blue, Nothing, Orange

 

[DHuffman]

The sharpie set up works good and as @newbieshooter said some isopropyl alcohol will really bring the color out.

I've started using the brownish construction paper found in large roll cheap at places like Menards and rarely have trouble seeing the colors. Seems wrong I know but it works for me.

I rarely go over 5 sets so use red, blue, yellow, purple & green in that order and will color a 6 th set black as these are easy for my eyes to distinguish.

Heavy white cardstock shot on the dull side picks up colors well also. I think the heavier paper works better in my experience.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Plain sharpie on non waxed white butch paper, I buy a 3' wide roll. Some powders will put a lot of black on the bullet hole and a q tip with alcohol will bring out the color if needed.

 

[sawcarver]

Heavy paper helps. I also find marking right where the ogive meets the bullet bearing surface works better than farther up the tip.

 

[Brians356]

What if I'm colorblind?

 

[Stan Taylor]

What if I'm colorblind?

Ask your friends to look at them for ya.Lol

 

[Brians356]

Ask your friends to look at them for ya.Lol

Friends?
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[Alex Wheeler]

Use yellow blue and red, those are easy.

 

[LRPV]

Also fresh marks will work better than old marks especially when talking days let alone weeks. As far as color blindness, pick the ones you can distinguish.

 

[Brians356]

Also fresh marks will work better than old marks especially when talking days let alone weeks. As far as color blindness, pick the ones you can distinguish.

Happily, I can discern hunter orange in the field.
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[wedgy]

You can also put a cheap trail camera at your target and put it in scan/time laps mode and take a photo every 30 seconds/ minute, etc. then watch it later. Not instant results but it works.
I also use the roll sheets of butcher paper, one shot of carb cleaner from 2 feet away and all the holes bleed color. An odd thing happened on a ladder at 700 yards I shot the same 7 color charge sequence on the same target but the 1st sequence the target was in the sun, the 2nd sequence the target was in the shade and each shot was 1.5-2 inches higher than the same color of the 1st sequence. Same conditions at the bench, velocity spread per charge weigh very similar so seemed like something with the light conditions and point of aim.

 

[Brians356]

You can also put a cheap trail camera at your target and put it in scan/time laps mode and take a photo every 30 seconds/ minute, etc. then watch it later. Not instant results but it works

Most have infrared or motion detectors, maybe it would trigger it if adjusted properly. Hmmm ...
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[LRPV]

Happily, I can discern hunter orange in the field.
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Good for you, I struggle with that. However I manage to see blue, red, green etc. on a white paper background.

 

[wedgy]

Most have infrared or motion detectors, maybe it would trigger it if adjusted properly. Hmmm ...
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It is a time lapse feature for capturing images of a field full of deer or turkeys that are too far away to trigger the camera.