Bullet weight

[krazykj03]

Hi I wondering why are there so many different weight of the bullet? I am just wondering cause I'm thinking of starting to reload and I know nothing about it. And just wondering what people use different weighted bullets for?


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[krwada]

Oh man .... you can fill a book ... no ... an encyclopedia answering this.

The best thing to do is to match the bullet weight, style, powder, powder weight to your firearm. This is the never ending quest that makes reloading so fun.

As to semi-auto ... there is the extra added dimension of getting the proper functioning too.

In general, the single most important factor in affecting the accuracy of your loads is the bullet weight .... provided you have done all your homework already with the firearm....

Nope .. I take that back .. of course, the SINGLE most important factor affecting the accuracy of your shooting of course is ... THE SHOOTER.

[CK_32]

Kinda hard to answer your question because it is so broad.

But the reasoning for different bullet weights is they are designed for different things and many bullets have different designs of the shape it self. Bullets being a specific caliber and diameter ie .224 or .30 you can't make bullets thicker to add weight so you make them longer.

In 30 cal you have 147, 155, 168, 175, 187 and 210's. All 30 cal but are longer and shorter to allow more weight. More weight usually means more momentum and or better BC (ballistics coefficient) or how it does against wind and in flight. Which heavier bullets usually have better BC's because in simple terms its easier for a gust of wind to push a 155gr bullet than a 210. But there is also a down side in that heavier bullets are more prone to gravity and drop faster also are hard to get up in MV as lighter bullets. But again carry momentum better. So its a game of pros and cons.

But going back again there is also different designs and projectiles like in many 5.56 many different weights do different things. As in the military's 55gr FMJ tracer (M196), 62gr steel core perpetrator(M855), 55gr FMJ(M193). All do different things.

Or for game (hunting) loads they have different ballistic tip, lead free, lead filled the list goes on all altering weight and designs and performance of the bullet.

[stilly]

Hi I wondering why are there so many different weight of the bullet? I am just wondering cause I'm thinking of starting to reload and I know nothing about it. And just wondering what people use different weighted bullets for?


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Yeah, BROAD question. Some folks want a HIGH velocity bullet for longer ranges, some want a heavy bullet for shorter more force to knock down with.

SOME folks want a lighter bullet because they are cheaper but you might need more powder. SOME folks want a heavier bullet because they may be expensive, but they need less powder...

Pick what you want to load for and do it...

[HighLander51]

Hi I wondering why are there so many different weight of the bullet? I am just wondering cause I'm thinking of starting to reload and I know nothing about it. And just wondering what people use different weighted bullets for?


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Let's start with what caliber you want to reload and go from there.

[Whiterabbit]

Hi I wondering why are there so many different weight of the bullet? I am just wondering cause I'm thinking of starting to reload and I know nothing about it. And just wondering what people use different weighted bullets for?


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Different applications, different uses, and even simply "different strokes"

I like slow and heavy bullets because slow = less recoil but heavy = great terminal ballistics for a given cartridge. Assuming the gun has the twist for it.

Some folks like light for caliber because they can shoot them at warp ridiculous and hold dead on out to 300 yards and pull trigger, rather than chucking pumpkins.

Even within weights, what kind of nose profile do you want? Fat meplat for disuse disruption? hollowpoint for expansion of tough material? tipped for wind resistance? round nose for feeding?

What kind of bullet construction do you want? cast lead for heritage? bonded jacketed for speed? FMJ for economy?

How many different kinds of forks do you have in your house? knives? spoons? why so many sizes and shapes?

variety is the spice of life.

[1HitaQuita]

Like others have already stated; it depends on how you plan on using your weapon. Different situations will require different weight bullets.

[Whiterabbit]

Like others have already stated; it depends on how you plan on using your weapon. Different situations will require different weight bullets.

Do you call every gun a weapon? did you ever work at Targetmasters, by chance?

[1HitaQuita]

Do you call every gun a weapon? did you ever work at Targetmasters, by chance?

No I don't, but I'm ex-military. Old habit I guess

[Whiterabbit]

I never knew that was a 'former-military' thing. I just know if felt really odd when the TM guy was calling what was obviously a hunting handgun (that was obviously truly good for absolutely nothing else) a 'weapon'. Like I'm gonna shoot a guy with a 5 lb revolver? (and the guy behind him, and the guy behind that guy, and the 4th down the line....)

[1HitaQuita]

By definition it's still a weapon though

[gunboat]

Hi WR -- one lap around the grinder holding your crotch and yelling at the top of your lungs " this is my rifle, this is my gun, this is for shooting, this is for fun" and you will always call a shootin' iron a weapon -- :-)

[Dark Mod]

Do you call every gun a weapon? did you ever work at Targetmasters, by chance?

Yeah, in the Marine Corps you would get hazed for accidentally calling your weapon a gun.

Its not your grandfathers shotgun

[Thomas83]

This is a very broad and vague question, and like many of us, we asked it just about the same at some point. There are many answers to your question in question, however, use the search function in the forum and search the internet and you'll have found more than what you are looking for. PM me if you have any other questions.

Tom

Hi I wondering why are there so many different weight of the bullet? I am just wondering cause I'm thinking of starting to reload and I know nothing about it. And just wondering what people use different weighted bullets for?


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