Max acceptable FB 6mm Compression Ring Dia. (PPC)

[BenchShooter]

I have a thousand count box of 6mm 66g flat base match bullets for shooting in a .262 necked PPC that I picked up from the maker at a match 15 years ago. I just cracked the box open and was doing some preliminary measurements with thoughts of probably using these bullets this Spring. However one measurement has me questioning these bullets.

These bullets have an overall diameter of .244 at the compression ring. This is the first bullet that I have ever used that had that diameter at the compression ring. Most all other bullets I have used measured .24325 to .24350 diameter at the compression ring.

While I can certainly turn brass necks to accommodate a bullet who's compression ring diameter is .244, I am a little concerned about pressures building up because of my barrel's ID possibly being too small to accommodate such a large compression ring. I don't have specs on these older Hart barrels that I'm using on my PPCs.

Anyway is a diameter of .244 at the compression ring acceptable?

Pro's - Con's ?????

Dana

 

[CatShooter]

I have a thousand count box of 6mm 66g flat base match bullets for shooting in a .262 necked PPC that I picked up from the maker at a match 15 years ago. I just cracked the box open and was doing some preliminary measurements with thoughts of probably using these bullets this Spring. However one measurement has me questioning these bullets.

These bullets have an overall diameter of .244 at the compression ring. This is the first bullet that I have ever used that had that diameter at the compression ring. Most all other bullets I have used measured .24325 to .24350 diameter at the compression ring.

While I can certainly turn brass necks to accommodate a bullet who's compression ring diameter is .244, I am a little concerned about pressures building up because of my barrel's ID possibly being too small to accommodate such a large compression ring. I don't have specs on these older Hart barrels that I'm using on my PPCs.

Anyway is a diameter of .244 at the compression ring acceptable?

Pro's - Con's ?????

Dana

You might be being a little AC/OC about 0.0005".

Try them. Or sell them and buy something you trust.

 

[swed6.5]

when you can find a variable, be concerned exp. with a tight neck design. I had a pressure spike once when switching bullets with a bigger pressure ring i would back off.5 on powder charge and watch for signs.

 

[artbosco]

I have a thousand count box of 6mm 66g flat base match bullets for shooting in a .262 necked PPC that I picked up from the maker at a match 15 years ago. I just cracked the box open and was doing some preliminary measurements with thoughts of probably using these bullets this Spring. However one measurement has me questioning these bullets.

These bullets have an overall diameter of .244 at the compression ring. This is the first bullet that I have ever used that had that diameter at the compression ring. Most all other bullets I have used measured .24325 to .24350 diameter at the compression ring.

While I can certainly turn brass necks to accommodate a bullet who's compression ring diameter is .244, I am a little concerned about pressures building up because of my barrel's ID possibly being too small to accommodate such a large compression ring. I don't have specs on these older Hart barrels that I'm using on my PPCs.

Anyway is a diameter of .244 at the compression ring acceptable?

Pro's - Con's ?????

Dana

Call Bart Sauter and ask him. He is a recent inductee into the Benchrest Hall of Fame and one of the best, if not the best, bullet maker for the 6PPC out there: http://www.bartsbullets.com/products/barts.html

 

[dixieppc]

Dana, I had the same experience a bunch of years back with a lot of bullets that I had purchased. They were fatter at the pressure ring than I was normally acustom to. The bullets that I normally shoot in Point Blank Benchrest are .24335 at the pressure ring. A good friend that has since passed away made these bullets of which I had purchased 5,000 of at the time. These other bullets that I came across was like yours, running .24400. First thing I had to back way off on the load to keep pressures within acceptable limits even with turning for a .002 neck clearance. But then I wasn't really sure of what my freebore diameter was with that barrel at that time which could have been another problem. Anyway I never could get those bullets to shoot but I can't say that it was because of the fat pressure ring. I am also not sure if there is an upper limit to what a pressure ring can be over the bearing surface diameter of the bullet but I'm sure there is a limit at some point. I just hope that the quantity of .24335 bullets I have left will out live the few years I have left at this game.

Regards...

 

[JohnMill]

Dixie, you have roughly .2434 bullets at the pressure ring. I measured Bergers and Watsons the same as that in the mid '90s and they shot very well.
Benchshooter, I had some Brawand "fatboys" that measured .2438". That's what he said they were and that's what I measured them. I shot a .024 5 shot group with them. After waiting for a condition at a time of day that I had shot many "0" groups in. That bullet shot a lot of tight groups and helped win a club championship that year.I hesitate to ask but, if we are going to start measuring 100,000ths, what sort of equipment will we need? is it one of those REAL good rulers or what?

 

[dixieppc]

>>Dixie, you have roughly .2434
>>bullets at the pressure ring.

Could be, John. They were measured with a 3 place indicator with the 4th and 5th place coming from the vernier which showed to be between the 3 and 4 mark. I'm just glad that I have around 3000 of these babies left since I shoot them in 4 guns/classes and they are now irreplaceable due to the loss of a dear friend who I consider one of the best bullet makers of his time.

Regards,

 

[BenchShooter]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I just wanted to see if this was normal or if I had some strange bullets.

Dana

 

[BenchShooter]

>>Dixie, you have roughly .2434
>>bullets at the pressure ring.

Could be, John. They were measured with a 3 place indicator with the 4th and 5th place coming from the vernier which showed to be between the 3 and 4 mark. I'm just glad that I have around 3000 of these babies left since I shoot them in 4 guns/classes and they are now irreplaceable due to the loss of a dear friend who I consider one of the best bullet makers of his time.

Who made these 3000 bullets you cherish so much?

Dana

 

[dixieppc]

Dana,
These are 1998 ventage 66g Fowlers. I have three 1000 count unopened balls plus one partial ball containing around 400-500 count. And before anyone asks, neither love nor money can separate me from these bullets. I am sure that there are now bullets that are just as good if not better but these have always worked for me in my PPC's. If I out live them, I'm sure I will find something to take their place, but I'm not looking forward to that day.

 

[BenchShooter]

Didn't I read that someone bought all of his dies and were making his bullets today?

 

[JohnMill]

For info: The compression ring is the result of the swageing up process of bullet making. It is for all practical purposes smeared down by the loading process. I was told by one gunsmith/barrel maker that he disregards it totally.
I would however check carefully the shank measuement as that is a huge difference.

 

[ALBULLET]

Bench shooter ,
I think neck clearance( which you mentioned ) is where a shooter would create a dangerous problem.
I have heard stories about a man loading a 308 round in a .270 Thompson and pulled the trigger... The brass looked different after it was removed from the chamber . Fireforming a 308 into 270 is not a great idea..! Nor is forcing a .308 bullet down a .277 barrel. Barrel was sent back to Thompson to make sure it was okay . The barrel checked out to be fine and is still in service today. So I don't think you should let that .0007 larger pressure ring bother you.(true story).