New vs Old SMKs

[Exodus343]

so I bought 300 168 grain Sierras off of another calgunner a couple months back, and they were the older ones in paper boxes

those bullets performed flawlessly, sub moa all day long, excited that my rifle likes SMKs, I opened up another box of 168 grainers except this time they were the new plastic boxes, the thing is, my groups went to S*** and I ended up launching them at steel

now my question is, is there a HUGE difference between the old and new SMKs? the ogive measured from 5 of each lot yielded at least 20-40 thousandths inconsistencies

last question: should I rework my loads for each lot of bullets?

[bitethebullet]

You will probably need to change your OAL due to the ogive changing. If there is that much difference, it may change from a jump to a jam or visa-versa

[Exodus343]

headaches I'm telling you...

[Enfield47]

If they aren't seconds you shouldn't be seeing much difference (I wouldn't think so anyways). Maybe send an email to Sierra and ask them about it. Who knows, maybe you got a bad batch.

[Exodus343]

If they aren't seconds you shouldn't be seeing much difference (I wouldn't think so anyways). Maybe send an email to Sierra and ask them about it. Who knows, maybe you got a bad batch.

they're not seconds
and my question is regarding old vs new Sierras

the paper box ones vs the new plastic box ones

the Ogive in each batch have very little inconsistencies so I use my comparator to separate them

[buffybuster]

The forming dies are slightly different and wear differently. You'll have to adjust the distance to the lands back into the sweet spot. Might have to adjust the charge weight to get back into the velocity node.

[Zin_dawg]

they're not seconds
and my question is regarding old vs new Sierras

the paper box ones vs the new plastic box ones

the Ogive in each batch have very little inconsistencies so I use my comparator to separate them

I'm confused about "new" verses "old" Sierra bullets: I just got some 168gr SMK's direct from Sierra. The 100 count are in plastic boxes, but the 500 count are in the same paper boxes I've seen for the last decade (or more).

Now, I haven't (yet) opened the new box, or compared the bullets by weight or by measuring from base to ogive, but I would be quite surprised to see a difference. I've still got an old box around, so I'll do my own comparison, and report back

[Exodus343]

by the old I mean
paper boxed 100 rounds

like REAL old ones

the 500 lots are in the big boxes

[Exodus343]

like this the middle row

[Flyin Brian]

by the old I mean
paper boxed 100 rounds

like REAL old ones

the 500 lots are in the big boxes

Ha! those aren't old...

THESE are old

[Exodus343]

Ha! those aren't old...

THESE are old

touche

[Sideline Shooter]

Thats the life of a reloader. Always adjusting the load to keep it sweet. That's why I always buy bullets in bulk, from the same place and from the same lot number.

sideline shooter

[Exodus343]

Thats the life of a reloader. Always adjusting the load to keep it sweet. That's why I always buy bullets in bulk, from the same place and from the same lot number.

sideline shooter

exactly
I learned from this experience that
I need to always buy 500 bulk boxes or even the Nosler 1k boxes