Inconsistant Bullet Lengths

[PistolPete75]

i just noticed that my nosler 168gr bthp bullets vary in length. variance is very marginal at .05

are other match grade brands like Lupua and SMK have a variance also?

on a side note, my forestor micrometer die is sure coming in handy.

this is pertaining to 30 cal bullets only.

[rksimple]

i just noticed that my nosler 168gr bthp bullets vary in length. variance is very marginal at .05

are other match grade brands like Lupua and SMK have a variance also?

on a side note, my forestor micrometer die is sure coming in handy.

this is pertaining to 30 cal bullets only.

If you mean +/- .005", then yes. My Scenar loads have +/- .003" on average. +/- .050" is a problem.

I'll check the bullets themselves. Haven't even checked because they've shot so well.

[Sheldon]

I think that's the norm. The manufacturers don't pay too much attention to the OAL of the bullets themselves, that's why they have them meplate uniformers on the market that actually will cut the tips of the bullets off to a uniform length. If you use a comparator to measure the oal of the bullets you'll probably find that dimension to be spot on as it measures off the oglive of the bullet, which is also where your bullet seater setas the bullet from. I know some of the top shooters get some benefit from doing it and if I were a good enough a shot to see the benefit I would bother with it too....but as it is I feel it isn't worth the hassle for me.

[ocabj]

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=RESDTCO&type=store

[PistolPete75]

If you mean +/- .005", then yes. My Scenar loads have +/- .003" on average. +/- .050" is a problem.

I'll check the bullets themselves. Haven't even checked because they've shot so well.

your right, i meant .005" difference

i ended up reseating most of the bullets twice to get my variance down to .003 with the micrometer die. i love that thing.

i'm fine tuning my reloading process to get the most consistant load. it sure is slowing down my system though. i need to get a giraud trimmer or the gracey trimmer in the future.

[Prc329]

I get a very similar variance as ryan.

[PistolPete75]

if i just seat each bullet once, with the nosler bullets it gives me a variance of .005

i got my dillon 1200 trimmer to be real consistant. it needs to be tightened down very frequently, due to the high vibration on the motor loosening the main turret bolt.

double seating the bullets takes a little too much time, to give me a oal variance of .003 i can't wait till powder valley gets the 155 scenars in. i think they are going to be exactly what i'm looking for in performance, and oal consistancy without breaking the bank by shooting 175smk in bulk.

[phish]

5 mils is already within the tolerance of most calipers already.

shoot more, analyze less

[Pthfndr]

your right, i meant .005" difference

i ended up reseating most of the bullets twice to get my variance down to .003 with the micrometer die. i love that thing.

i'm fine tuning my reloading process to get the most consistant load. it sure is slowing down my system though. i need to get a giraud trimmer or the gracey trimmer in the future.

If you're doing this because you are measuring from base of the case to tip of the bullet, then you are doing more harm than good. By doing that you are varying the distance from/into the lands your bullets are seated.

Get a comparator setup like the Sinclair linked to above, or the Hornaday one (formerly made by Stoney Point).

[ar15barrels]

If you're doing this because you are measuring from base of the case to tip of the bullet, then you are doing more harm than good. By doing that you are varying the distance from/into the lands your bullets are seated.

Exactly.
Some people just don't realize what they are doing when trying to make the ammo as consistent as possible.
The tip of the bullet is NOT a datum point you should be concerned with.

[Gunsrruss]

Exactly.
Some people just don't realize what they are doing when trying to make the ammo as consistent as possible.
The tip of the bullet is NOT a datum point you should be concerned with.

Amen +100 on that.

[vega]

I noticed that too, but as long as I shoot like this I don't mind much. The 2 flyers, I flinched.

[Prc329]

I had a group just like that one this weekend. Pissed me off. I pulled the first and the last round. The 3 shot group was .3 three leaf clover but with the two fliers it was 1.5

[Prc329]

Exactly.
Some people just don't realize what they are doing when trying to make the ammo as consistent as possible.
The tip of the bullet is NOT a datum point you should be concerned with.

Please school us n00bs on how to measure bullets and what we need to be concerned with when trying to make ammo consistent.

[ocabj]

Please school us n00bs on how to measure bullets and what we need to be concerned with when trying to make ammo consistent.

Did you look at the bullet comparator tools I posted a link for in post #4 of this thread?