HuntingNut
HuntingNut
   Login or Register
HomeCommunity ForumsPhoto AlbumsRegister
     
 

User Info

Welcome Anonymous


Membership:
Latest: RichardZ
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 13126

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 209
BOT: 1
Total: 210
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Forums
02: Photo Albums
03: Home
04: Forums
05: Forums
06: Home
07: Your Account
08: Home
09: Forums
10: Your Account
11: Home
12: Home
13: Forums
14: Home
15: Forums
16: Forums
17: Home
18: Forums
19: Forums
20: Forums
21: Home
22: Forums
23: Home
24: Forums
25: Your Account
26: Forums
27: Your Account
28: Forums
29: Home
30: Forums
31: Forums
32: Home
33: Forums
34: Forums
35: Home
36: Photo Albums
37: Home
38: Home
39: Forums
40: Home
41: Home
42: Forums
43: Forums
44: Home
45: Your Account
46: Forums
47: Forums
48: Forums
49: Home
50: Forums
51: Photo Albums
52: Forums
53: Forums
54: Forums
55: Forums
56: Forums
57: Forums
58: Forums
59: Forums
60: Forums
61: Your Account
62: Home
63: Home
64: Forums
65: Forums
66: Your Account
67: Your Account
68: Forums
69: Forums
70: Photo Albums
71: Forums
72: Home
73: Forums
74: Home
75: Forums
76: Forums
77: Forums
78: Forums
79: Forums
80: Forums
81: Forums
82: Photo Albums
83: Your Account
84: Photo Albums
85: Your Account
86: Forums
87: Home
88: Forums
89: Your Account
90: Forums
91: Forums
92: Photo Albums
93: Forums
94: Forums
95: Forums
96: Your Account
97: Forums
98: Home
99: Home
100: Forums
101: Your Account
102: Forums
103: Forums
104: Forums
105: Forums
106: Forums
107: Home
108: Photo Albums
109: Home
110: Forums
111: Photo Albums
112: Home
113: Forums
114: Your Account
115: Forums
116: Forums
117: Home
118: Forums
119: Photo Albums
120: Forums
121: Forums
122: Home
123: Home
124: News
125: Forums
126: Forums
127: Forums
128: Photo Albums
129: Forums
130: Forums
131: Forums
132: Home
133: Forums
134: Forums
135: Home
136: Photo Albums
137: Forums
138: Home
139: Forums
140: Forums
141: Forums
142: Forums
143: Forums
144: Your Account
145: Forums
146: Home
147: Home
148: Photo Albums
149: Forums
150: Your Account
151: Home
152: Photo Albums
153: Forums
154: Forums
155: Forums
156: Photo Albums
157: Home
158: Forums
159: Home
160: Home
161: Photo Albums
162: Forums
163: Forums
164: Home
165: Forums
166: Home
167: Home
168: Forums
169: Forums
170: Forums
171: Forums
172: Forums
173: Forums
174: Photo Albums
175: Forums
176: Your Account
177: Home
178: Forums
179: Home
180: Home
181: Forums
182: Forums
183: Forums
184: Your Account
185: Your Account
186: Your Account
187: Your Account
188: Your Account
189: Forums
190: Your Account
191: Your Account
192: Home
193: Home
194: Forums
195: Forums
196: Forums
197: Home
198: Home
199: Forums
200: Home
201: Forums
202: Forums
203: Forums
204: Home
205: Forums
206: Forums
207: Forums
208: Home
209: Photo Albums
  BOT:
01: Your Account

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
 

Coppermine Stats
Photo Albums
 Albums: 308
 Pictures: 2451
  · Views: 820725
  · Votes: 1316
  · Comments: 86
 

Sorted my bullets by weight
Discussion regarding the reloading of ammunition and tuning of loads for accuracy
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index » Reloading Ammunition

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
slimjim
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: May 16, 2009
Posts: 8314
Location: Fort Worth TX

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:17 am    Post subject: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

I sorted 150 Hornady .277 GMX 130gr yesterday to prepare for this years shooting. The spread of weights went from 129.1 to 130.9 with the greater mass of weights from 129.5 to 130.3. They looked like a bell curve laid out on the workbench. Anyway, my question is, how shall I load them? From the middle out? Heavy to lightest?
I'm thinking load the ones that are at the extreme to use for foulers or shooting targets on windy days, then start at the low side and work up.

chambered, I'm guessing you will say put them all back in the box and mix'em up.

_________________
"To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Dawgdad
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Feb 08, 2006
Posts: 1065
Location: On the Prairie

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:57 am    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

What is the level of precision you are striving for and what is the weapon system capable of?

To satisfy your curiosity and prove chambered is right, I would load 12 of the lightest 12 of the middle and 12 of the heaviest.

Shoot a six shot group with each but do them blinded with an assistant.

Then mix 3 of the heavies with 3 lights 3 lights with three middles 3 heavies with three middles..

When you are done you will have six six shot groups - compare POI and group size then compare that to what is required for the task at hand

i.e taking a deer at 300 yards...2 moa will do.


Do a similar experiment with hand weighed charges and meter thrown charges... out to 300 yards.. you are probably wasting time to weigh each charge unless the psychological comfort makes you trust the load more.

_________________
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency...
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
chambered221
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Aug 17, 2007
Posts: 3455
Location: Lost for good !!!

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:11 am    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

slimjim wrote:
chambered, I'm guessing you will say put them all back in the box and mix'em up.

Yup.......but you won't listen !!!

_________________
Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!

A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
slimjim
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: May 16, 2009
Posts: 8314
Location: Fort Worth TX

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:44 am    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

Dawgdad, I may just do what you suggested. At first, I thought it wouldn't be worth the time and ammo, because for a hunting round, I'm sure the difference would be minimal (and support chambered's position). I just like my loads to be the best they can be.

In prior discussions of weight differences, we noted a direct correlation of weight to bullet length. My 150gr Berger VLD bullets are within +-0.05 grains and are very consistent. I have noticed my latest batch of 110gr Barnes TTSX came in with about 1/2 the weight dispersion that the groups are bit tighter. Might be a good weekend project.

_________________
"To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein


Last edited by slimjim on Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:46 am; edited 2 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
chambered221
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Aug 17, 2007
Posts: 3455
Location: Lost for good !!!

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 10:02 am    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

Just for the heck of it I ran some numbers on Point Blank !!! (Thanks again Dallan)

.277 130gr B-Tip vs 140gr B-Tip @2900 zero@100 yards
The difference @ 300 yards is .17 @ 500 yards it's still only .75

So a 2 grain difference translates to a .15 difference @ 500 yards !!!

Of course this is just a mathematical calculation and real world shooting may differ a bit.

I do agree that it should be a blind test and I also suggest that you never come to a conclusion based upon a couple of 5 shot groups.

_________________
Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!

A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Ominivision1
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Sep 20, 2010
Posts: 2984
Location: Iowa

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 12:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

I agree with Chambered221, I have had way worst when casting bullets for my firearms and if I ever got that consistency from casting, I would be happy.

_________________
Regards

Limitations are but boundaries created inside our minds.
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Dawgdad
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Feb 08, 2006
Posts: 1065
Location: On the Prairie

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 1:14 pm    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

chambered221 wrote:
Just for the heck of it I ran some numbers on Point Blank !!! (Thanks again Dallan)

.277 130gr B-Tip vs 140gr B-Tip @2900 zero@100 yards
The difference @ 300 yards is .17 @ 500 yards it's still only .75

So a 2 grain difference translates to a .15 difference @ 500 yards !!!

Of course this is just a mathematical calculation and real world shooting may differ a bit.

I do agree that it should be a blind test and I also suggest that you never come to a conclusion based upon a couple of 5 shot groups.

10 grain difference - Also assumes they would have the same point of impact with the same sight setting.

_________________
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency...
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
slimjim
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: May 16, 2009
Posts: 8314
Location: Fort Worth TX

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 7:30 pm    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

Wow, I'm not unhappy. I like these GMX bullets and plan to use them next hunting season. I just want to do the best reloading I can possibly do with the limited equipment I have. Sorting by bullet weight is something I've been doing just because I could. If it helped good, but I didn't expect it to hurt accuracy.

I like shooting this load so I'll try to set this up following close to Dawgdad's suggested format. When I'm done, I won't have any left of the extremes so my dilema in the first post of this topic will be basically solved.

_________________
"To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Pumpkinslinger
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Sep 22, 2007
Posts: 5001
Location: NC foothills

PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:16 am    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

I'd bet that, if you took the five lightest and the five heaviest and shot a 10 shot group you'd never be able to tell which ones were which.

_________________
Mike

"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle
Back to top
View user's profile AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
Elvis
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Jul 27, 2008
Posts: 9239
Location: south island New Zealand

PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:33 am    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

A tight wad like me would fire a 9 shot group 3 light 3 mid 3 heavy and have a looksee. as Dawgdad says what level of accuracy is it you are after? my ol smoke pole will poke ANY load you want to put through it into a 3"high 2"wide group at 100yrds.I reakon your group would be pretty darn good even with different weights.

_________________
You shot it You pluck it !
Them who eats the most duck eats the most feathers!
Back to top
View user's profile
Vince
Site Admin
Site Admin


Joined: May 25, 2005
Posts: 15704
Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA

PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 6:56 am    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

Slim...don't bother weighing your bullets mate...I reckon you are making a rod for your back. A 1.8 grain difference between lightest and heaviest realistically is negligible, and I will be very surprised if you can find any discernible difference in the POI.

I can understand...and fully support...your quest to produce the perfect and consistent handloaded round...but unless your are applying the same level of consistency to every component in the loaded round, then there will always be a variable, and even then there are things that are out of your control. If such a round existed, then we would not be happy with any less than one hole of calibre diameter groups.

DawgDad has said it all mate, and I don't need to mention Chambered... also, as Punkin said mate...you won't be able to pick which round is which on the target.

If weighing each bullet floats ya boat, go ahead and do it...but with the tolerances you have found in the last batch...don't loose any sleep over it mate. You, or the deer will never notice the difference.

Load 'em up mate, get out there and fill ya tags. Very Happy Very Happy

Cheers, Vince

_________________
Cheers, Vince Cheers

Illegitimi non carborundum
(Never let the bastards grind you down)

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

"Nulla Si Fa Senza Volonta."
(Without Commitment, Nothing Gets Done)
Back to top
View user's profile AIM Address MSN Messenger Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
slimjim
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: May 16, 2009
Posts: 8314
Location: Fort Worth TX

PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:31 am    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

Elvis wrote:
A tight wad like me would fire a 9 shot group 3 light 3 mid 3 heavy and have a looksee. as Dawgdad says what level of accuracy is it you are after?

Elvis, a man after my own heart. I loaded up 12 last night like you suggested with an additional 3 made up of one light, mid, and heavy so I can shoot 4 groups and compare: light, mid, heavy, mixed. If I can't tell the difference than there is no need to shoot anymore.

My goal is 1/2 MOA accuracy out to 500+ yards. I weight every powder charge to a 0.05 grain by always adding weight and stopping just as the digital scale clicks over a 0.1 grain. Example, if my load is to be 55.5 grains of powder, I stop at 55.4 and add a stick at a time until it just rolls over to 55.5 grains. Depending on the powder, 3 or 4 sticks usually make a 10th of a grain. If this is a true OCW derived load, it shouldn't make a difference. But, it is what I do. I like loading Saturday mornings and listening to talk radio.

I'll test and see.

_________________
"To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
PaulS
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Feb 18, 2006
Posts: 4330
Location: South-Eastern Washington - the State

PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:21 pm    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

Slim,
I did the same thing for a while - trying to make the five shot - one hole group. I weighed my bullets in three groups but when I got around to shooting them the POI didn't change enough to detect. Then I tried throughing charges (using ball powders - double base) and I found out that the thrown charges were more accurate than the weighed charges by around 1/4 MOA across the board. I even weighed cases and segregated them too into 4 grain steps.
After all my years reloading I now separate the military cases and weigh them just to make sure they are all in an 8 grain range and to adapt my loads for the reduced powder space. The whole time I was doing it my brother told me I was being anal about it but I though it was necessary - I now know better.
Shoot the bullets with thrown charges and enjoy it.

_________________
Paul
__________________
Speer, Lyman, Hodgdon, Sierra, and Hornady = reliable loading data
So and So's pages on the internet = NOT reliable loading data
Always check data against manuals
NEVER exceed maximum listed loads
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
slimjim
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: May 16, 2009
Posts: 8314
Location: Fort Worth TX

PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:00 pm    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

I weight cases but don't do that anymore. I don't mix brands. I'll enjoy shooting these round.

_________________
"To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
ElyBoy
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Apr 04, 2006
Posts: 1541
Location: Forest Lake Minnesota

PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:25 pm    Post subject: Re: Sorted my bullets by weight Reply with quote

I seem to remember my Dad telling me about benchrest shooters weighing each bullet.
Last winter, on a boring day, I started weighing my different types of cast bullets that I reload for pistol shooting. I couldn't believe the disparity from one bullet to the next.
I stopped weighing so I wouldn't start going goofy on my reloading. Shocked

Without hijacking this thread, am I correct that benchrest shooters weigh their bullets??

Eric

_________________
NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
DNR Certified Firearms Safety Instructor
NRA Life Member
Back to top
View user's profile
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index » Reloading Ammunition
Page 1 of 2
All times are GMT - 7 Hours
Go to page 1, 2  Next



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum


Valid CSS! Valid HTML 4.01!
Click to check if this page is realy HTML 4.01 compliant for speed :)

All logos and trademarks in this site are property of HuntingNut.com.
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest © 2011 by HuntingNut.com
Interactive software released under GNU GPL, Code Credits, Privacy Policy

.: Upgraded to DragonFly 9.2 by *Dizfunkshunal* :.