I've just started tipping or pointing my 7mm 180 SMK. I've been sorting by weight and then additionally sorting by bearing surface length. Then trimming ogives and pointing. Weights only vary by .3 gr. Should I continue to sort by weight and bearing surface length. My limited testing indicates that sorting by bearing surface might be all that's necessary to get good groups. I've just started shooting out to 1,000 yds. F-class. At the 600 yd. range at my home range I can't tell the difference between weight sorting and not weight sorting when the other sorting and bullet prep remains the same, but I don't get to shoot at 1,000 very often and then it's only in a match so I can't shoot numerous groups to thoroughly test this out. What say yee men of wisdom?
procedures for pointing bullets.
- Thread starter swampshooter
- Start date
Not sure what trimming/pointing system you are using but with the Hoover, my first step is to sort by base to ogive using the trimmer body. This will give you the OAL on all bullets which is needed in order to get a consistent point without crushing/jacket separation. After pointing I'll sort again by bearing surface. I don't weigh bullets but then again I don't shoot Sierras at targets either. No offense to them, but from my limited experience with Sierras, the more effort you put into sorting, the better you will end up, albeit with a bunch of small piles that are the same. Weighing as a first sorting step is a waste of time as you will be cutting material/weight off the bullet when you trim.
Trimming after weight sorting? Think about it.
I wanted to shoot bergers when I had this barrel put on but couldn't get any so I bought Sierra MK. Without any bullet sorting my 5-shot groups were averaging less than .33 @ 100 for 3, 5-shot groups. I figured not bad for a 284 and I've stuck with them. With a little prep work I'm averaging .283 for 5- shot groups at 100 and around 1" or less at 300 with good conditions. I'm too old to get too serious about this anyway. It's all about enjoying my retirement anyway. I figure if it ain't broke don't fix it.
As far as trimming after weight sorting; I don't think that I'm taking much weight off of the bullet. But your point is understood, if I continue to weight sort I will do it after trimming and pointing. This makes more sense to me also.
PS. My bullets had already been sorted by weight and separated into batches before I decided to get the pointing set-up. They had also been sorted by ogive length on a Stoney Point tool. I re-sorted the ogive lengths with the Hoover system before trimming and pointing.
PS. My bullets had already been sorted by weight and separated into batches before I decided to get the pointing set-up. They had also been sorted by ogive length on a Stoney Point tool. I re-sorted the ogive lengths with the Hoover system before trimming and pointing.
ps. I'm using Hoover trimming tool and pointing die.
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