grains???

[donba]

After just buying what is on sale for many years. I have decided to build up a small supply of amo. Diferent grains for all cal. how do you decide What to use and what do they mean? HELP!!thank you (a nice clear Definition mite be worth a stickey)

[Jonathan Doe]

You need to get bullets that will shoot good in your firearms. Especially for rifles, the barrel twist rate and bullet weight (length of bearing surface) is critical. Grain is a unit of weight, 7,000 grains to a pound.

For example, I have 223 AR rifles with either 1-8" or 1-7" twist barrels. I buy 77 grain and 80 - 82 grain match bulllets.

For my 308 Win, my rifles have 1-10" or 1-11" twist barrels. I primarily use 168 grain and 175 grain match bullets.

[Revoman]

The 'grain' information on the box indicates the weight of the bullet. While all of the weight bullets will function in your gun, as stated some bullets work better than others in a particular gun. They also can have specific jobs to do in a general weight class.

Generally speaking, (remember this is GENERAL....) dependent upon what your use may be;
Lighter weight bullets generally will have higher velocity. Usually they produce lighter recoil, thus they are used for plinking/target/practice.
Heavier bullets move a little slower. They normally have greater knock-down power because of the weight/velocity ratio. Because of the ratio, there is usually more recoil. These are generally used for hunting/killing purposes.

There are many bullets that will work for multiple reasons, but the above statements are generally true.

I'm sure that someone will fill-in more blanks....no pun there!

[bruceflinch]

If you have the manual for your gun, they often suggest the best bullet weight ammo to shoot.

Now if you have a pistol w/ fixed sights. You can affect the elevation point of impact from the bullet by shooting a lighter or heavier bullet.

[Whiterabbit]

how do you decide What to use

I'm sure there are 1,000 answers to this question. Here are mine:

I start with hunting. Since all my guns that I own are owned specifically for hunting, I pick my hunting bullet. Since I live in a state where I MAY be in a lead free zone, I pick a Barnes bullet. This severely limits my choices, or as I feel about it, "it makes my choice much easier". So that gives me one or two choices for weight, I pick the one that has the most versatility for taking large game. If it can do triple duty from small deer to small elk, my loading life is easier.

So that gets me a premium bullet weight. Now to simplify things, I'll pick a plinker bullet that is the same weight. That way, I can try to load it for similar performance with regards to point of impact when loaded to full power. This bullet I pick based on cost alone. Cheaper the better. I buy a box of 100 to try first, just to make sure they work well before considering buying in bulk.

Now I've got a premium bullet and a plinker bullet. Finally, I pick two loads. regular, and reduced. The regular load is all based around the hunting load, adjusted between bullets for maximum accuracy (for my rifle, the plinker is just as accurate but impacts 3" lower @ 100y which is OK.). The reduced load is for steel shooting and general day long have-fun-at-the-range time. Better for young or new shooters too. Accuracy/feel/fun of center fire, recoil of rim fire.

Now with a couple loads and couple bullets, I can have fun. Adjust OAL, try a different powder, maybe try a different bullet that was for sale or trade here for a song.

[donba]

thanks to all, now I have another reason to go to the range!!!