Meplat Trim & Pointing

[huntinco]

So when do you guys make the meplat trim? After pointing or before?

 

[Erik Cortina]

Before.

 

[huntinco]

Why before? I have done it both ways & trimming after seems to produce cleaner results.

 

[bozo699]

I am new to bullet pointing but my understanding by reading Whidden's article is you can do it both ways, and there can be advantages to doing it after, the few I have done I liked the looks of before but as I said I haven't done enough to have a opinion.
Wayne.

http://www.6mmbr.com/bulletpointer.html

 

[dreever]

I,ve given up meplat trimming alltogether and now only point.

Danny

 

[FroggyOne2]

I know a couple of folks that do that, they don't bother with the trimming, just point them up..

 

[Leaddog]

Using the Whidden system, I point, trim, point.

 

[jlow]

I,ve given up meplat trimming alltogether and now only point.

Danny

That is exactly what happen to me. Love the pointer but was not impressed with the trimmer.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Why before? I have done it both ways & trimming after seems to produce cleaner results.

Because when I trim it makes the meplat flat, therefore it needs to be pointed. I don't point and then make it flat.

 

[geordiesniper]

I only point my 180gr Berger VLDs now and do not trim. I have used a trimmer before (will not give the manufacturer) but had varied results and was not satisfied. Can anyone recommend a really good accurate trimmer that gives consistent results.
Thanks

 

[Erik Cortina]

I only point my 180gr Berger VLDs now and do not trim. I have used a trimmer before (will not give the manufacturer) but had varied results and was not satisfied. Can anyone recommend a really good accurate trimmer that gives consistent results.
Thanks

Giraud trimmer, fast and accurate.

 

[Leaddog]

I only point my 180gr Berger VLDs now and do not trim. I have used a trimmer before (will not give the manufacturer) but had varied results and was not satisfied. Can anyone recommend a really good accurate trimmer that gives consistent results.
Thanks

I use the Whidden trimmer with my Wilson Case Trimmer setup. Accurate everytime.

 

[geordiesniper]

I use the Whidden trimmer with my Wilson Case Trimmer setup. Accurate everytime.
[/quote]

Thanks Charlie, just checked it out and as I already have the Wilson Case Trimmer it is the most cost effective option and looks good as well.
Les

 

[Shynloco]

Good Morning Guys,
I find your discussion fascinating to say the least. I'm rather new to this topic, but enjoy reading your views and learning about the things you do to attain that finite accuracy, especially at 1000 yds. Unfortunately, not having access to a 1000 yds range in my immediate area, plus being retired and therefore limited now in the funds I can amass for more toys, I'm not sure whether trimming or pointing my bullets would gain much benefit, especially at only 100 yds which is where I do most of my shooting anymore. It has taken me almost four years of reloading (yes I'm a slow learner) to get down to the precise details of precision reloading just to improve accuracy and consistency. But I think I've got my 6mmbr down pretty nicely and my groups prove it. And yes I am aware of the restictions I've imposed because of the rather short distance I shoot. But I'm always interested in and looking for any new angles that can help me get to the 5 shot one holer that I still seek. I keep trying despite the fact I truly believe as someone wrote,"the weakest link is the shooter." So my question to you folks, will trimming or pointing the bullet when shooting at 100 yds improve accuracy all that much? Thx guys!

 

[TonyR]

I don't think you would gain much by tirmming and pointing for 100 yrad distance. In my experience, the benefit is hard to see at 200 but can be obvious from 300 out. The main advantage of trimming and pointing is uniforming the BC of each bullet which translates into reduced vertical even if the MVs of each shot are the same and the rifle is in perfect tune. The benefit I've seen has been caliber specific. More benefit from smaller calibers because the meplat diameter is smaller relative to the bullet diameter with the larger caliber. With my 6BR, trimming and pointing just made the groups smaller whereas with the 7mm and 30 cal, it eliminates a couple of fliers in a string of 20 shots. I have a friend who confirms this in his own experience with 20 and 22 caliber bullets at long ranges. I was told to expect this relationship by a ballistics expert in an earlier discussion of pointing and trimming and that is what I have seen myself. I would also say that trimming and pointing is the last thing to do after the rifle is tuned and ES/SD are as low as possible. Otherwise, you probably would not notice the benefit with all of the other dispersion. But I think there are a lot of other things you could do to improve your results at 100 yards starting with a copy of Tony Boyer's book which is a wealth of information geared to the shorter distances.

 

[Dirtball]

My first experience was with the Berger 30 cal 210 LRBT, trimming and pointing cut my vertical dispersion at 1,000 yard in half, from about 8" to aprox 4", that sold me on it.
I have since gone to just pointing on most bullets 7mm and smaller, I find the most Bergers and JLK's only need pointing.
But it is on a lot by lot case, depending on how ragged the meplats are, I find that most of the 7mm and above SMK's must be trimmed to square them up, then counter sunk, and then pointed to properly close up the meplat.
As stated before this is a hell of a lot of work and really not worth the time until you get out past 400 or 500 yds, then you really notice the difference in the vertical.

NOW if I could only find an easy way to cut down on my horizontal dispersion!!!

Dave

 

[Shynloco]

TonyR,
Thank you for the detailed explanation. I appreciate the frank analysis in what I asked. And yes I have seen and read both Tony Boyer and Mike Ratigan's books which have helped me in getting down to the nitty gritty in fine tuning what I have and shoot. This is exactly why I so like and appreciate on this blog. No BS and just the facts. Thx again.

 

[Elwood]

I use the Whidden trimmer with my Wilson Case Trimmer setup. Accurate everytime.

Thanks Charlie, just checked it out and as I already have the Wilson Case Trimmer it is the most cost effective option and looks good as well.
Les
[/quote]

Les, the Whidden trimmer works but it's painfully slow, have you tried the Hoover trimmer and a cordless drill, in my opinion it's far superior.

Ian

 

[bozo699]

Shynloco,
Your a man after my own heart, searching for that perfect 5 in 1 there's nothing wrong with that.

TonyR,
I think your posts are spot on, very good advice!

All,
I noticed dirtball mentioned, [ Quote ],.... SMK's must be trimmed to square them up, then counter sunk, and then pointed to properly close up the meplat.

I found this rather expensive tool but i was thinking it may have merit as i have looked at some of the bullets i have been meplat trimming and pointing with my new bench source tipper and they look like they need inside reamed on the meplat (counter sunk) then noticed Dirtball's comments and they were my thoughts as well.
Wayne

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/366545/mcr-bullet-meplat-uniforming-tool-308-caliber

 

[geordiesniper]

I use the Whidden trimmer with my Wilson Case Trimmer setup. Accurate everytime.

Thanks Charlie, just checked it out and as I already have the Wilson Case Trimmer it is the most cost effective option and looks good as well.
Les

Les, the Whidden trimmer works but it's painfully slow, have you tried the Hoover trimmer and a cordless drill, in my opinion it's far superior.

Ian
[/quote]

Hi Ian, will give the Hoover trimmer a look over so thanks for that info.
Good shooting to All.
Les