OT- Inconsistant bullet weight

[pwl44m]

My order from Midway came today. In it was the FA digital scale.I read the instructions and proceeded to play.Remember the 255 gn 45colt bullets I bought,(of course U dont) any way just to play around I put one on the scale. 252 point something. I weighed several more and got different weights,only one that I weighed came in at 255.Well whats next, I have 3 brand new boxes of 25-20 Speer hot core bullets 75 gn, They went anywhere from 72gns to 75. is this common or did I get what I payed for in the scales ?

[txpete]

commerical bullets do vary in weight.

[jnyork]

Sounds about right to me, I have never seen any that were the exact same weight, you only have 1% or less variation in your .45 bullets, wont make the slightest bit of difference in your scores. I doubt if you will be able to tell the difference in the others as well.

[pwl44m]

Thx Guys. didn't want something going Amiss when weighing Powder.

[Don McDowell]

It's best if you let those digital scales warm up a bit before you go to weighing. Make sure it's level, and calibirate it on a regular basis while it's new.

[Ray Newman]

See what Don McDowell posted.

Also keep it out of any drafts. They are very sensitive and a wind current can change the weight. Try blowing on it and watch the weight reading change....

[Kansas Ed]

If you doubt the scale, mark one bullet...weigh, and then weigh another, then weigh the marked bullet again and note any differences. Then weigh two bullets, then go back to the first, again note differences. Do this several times changing the weights, but always going back to the first marked bullet. If the readings are consistent on the marked bullet then it's bullet differences..but if they change you have an issue with scale or environment.

Ed

[Old Time Hunter]

Personally I weigh three or so at a time, then average 'em out.

[Shasta]

I find that a scale weight check set is a good investment:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=612694

They take the guesswork out of checking for scale accuracy.

SHASTA

[Old Ironsights]

Time to start learning to Cast. Especially stuff like .45 boolits.

If'n you don't like the consistency of boolits YOU cast, then you just need more practice.

[stretch]

I find that inconsistent bullet weight is not at all
unusual. Inconsistent bullet LENGTH is also common,
which plays merry hell with a consistent OAL for a
cartridge. Mind you, the OAL is less important than
either the volume left in the case after the bullet is seated,
or the distance from the ogive to the rifling. Still, inconsistent
OAL is annoying. Consistent bullet length and weight coupled
with consistent OAL means we have more consistent cartridges.


I usually measure 5 bullets picked at random from a new
box. Then I'll note on my data sheet what the max and min
was. Same with diameter, and same with bullet length. Part
of this process is just that I'm a little bit anal-retentive, and part
of it is knowing that errors DO happen in the manufacturing
process. I have box of 357 bullets that are all too small.
It's a manufacturing error, and I caught it before I used up
too much time trying to get 'em to shoot well.

Kansas Ed and Shasta both offer excellent advice. A set of
check weights ensures that your scale is working correctly,
and Ed certainly understands the use of the scientific method
for determining where the source of the problem lies.

-Stretch

[pwl44m]

After testing 5 different lots of bullets I am happy with the scales. I tested Speer 75 gn/spfn--- next was Meister 85gn cast. Both were inconsistant. Then the 45s / Magtech 250 gn cast-- the sized and lubed 255 gn cast and Laser Cast 250 gn.the first 2 varied more that the Laser Cast which were pretty close although the LCs were over weight they were more consistant with an occasional stray.
I just assumed (theres that word again) that if I bought 200gn bullets that they would weigh 200gns.It appears that is not the case.
I did check into cast boolits and found a thread about digital scales. Out of 30 posts that I read,Not one relied on digital. They all swear by balance. And someone did mention that bullets in a box will differ. As far as casting My own, that is down the road,after I use up the 1100 bullets I already have. I probably wont be doing any bench rest with My 94 trapper so what I have will probably suffice.
U Guys R very helpful,it is nice to be able to ask a question (and there will be more)and not be made to look like a Moron.Thx for all Your input and Info.

[Kansas Ed]

Just an FYI, but Sierra, though their lever offerings are sadly slim, hold their bullets to +/- 0.3 gr.

Ed

[Malamute]

When I first started casting much, I decided to weigh my bullets. I separated them by weight and was a bit discouraged at the range of weights. As a comparison, I weighed some 30 cal match bullets. Interesting. My cast bullets were more consistant than the factory match bullets. I quite worrying about the cast bullets. Yes, factory bullets vary some in weight. They seem to shoot pretty well despite that.

I've always used balance scales.

[jdad]

Just an FYI, but Sierra, though their lever offerings are sadly slim, hold their bullets to +/- 0.3 gr.

Ed

You beat me to it. I weighed out a box once, of "MatchKing's", and 81 were the same weight.