Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

[paulnyc]

I bought a bullet checker from Sinclair. I am shooting Sierra Gameking .338 215 grain SBT. I measured 10 and averaged them. Most of the bullets were off the average by less than .001 of an inch with one that was .0016 - Is it worth it to measure and sort for .001? How much will it improve my accuracy?

Thanks in advance for the newbie question.

Paul.

 

[orkan]

Re: Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

I use a hornady bullet comparator. I don't use it to measure my bullets, as the SMK's are pretty consistent to ogive, but I do use it to measure how deep I seat the bullet. Using ogive measurement is usually more consistent than OAL.

Something to keep in mind.

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

If you are shooting Gamekings, then I assume you are shooting animals? Sorting bullets is over the top for that kind of shooting. If you are shooting in a match, the bullet with the longer base to ogive length might drop out of the 10-ring and cost you the competition. With animals, maybe you hit the lungs instead of the heart or you need to take a second shot.

I see you posted this on the 6mmbr forums as well. If you look below your thread, there is a thread called "Sinclair bullet comparator question" that has info on this. Also, Sinclair wrote an article on sorting here: http://blog.sinclairintl.com/2010/02/19/bullet-prep/

You are going to get some good batches from time to time that need no culling. It sounds like you got a good batch. Now you know it is a good batch rather than assuming. Or you could sort into two piles... your choice.

 

[paulnyc]

Re: Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

Thanks carter - I read the article on the sinclair blog and bought the comparator as a result. I am a newbie and am looking to get a better understanding of how things work.

Thanks!!

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

I think there was a post there that was much to the same effect... if you are getting .001" variance, no need to sort. I think I read somewhere else about someone culling out 5 SMK's in 1000. That is not a lot, but seems to reflect your results.

I have read a bunch of articles about people being able to sort bullets using this method. The theory makes sense. BUT I haven't seen anyone fire a couple of groups at a target with culls versus sorted bullets to see if it actually makes a difference on the target.

 

[orkan]

Re: Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

Without sorting in such a fassion, I still find that my rifles shoot better than I do, so I haven't found a need for that particular step. If I were shooting benchrest, it would obviously be yet another variable that could be eliminated.

For hunting and tactical shooting, I've never found the need to sort bullets, or cases for that matter.

What kind of .338 is that?

 

[GBMaryland]

Re: Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

I used one of those tools to sort 2000 rounds of SS109...

...lemme tell you, there was a huge amount of difference between the military stuff compared to the match stuff.

I sorted into .005 lots, and I had 10 lots at the end.

GB

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GBMaryland</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I used one of those tools to sort 2000 rounds of SS109...

...lemme tell you, there was a huge amount of difference between the military stuff compared to the match stuff.

I sorted into .005 lots, and I had 10 lots at the end.

GB </div></div>

Don't know if sortin' 2000 SS-109s by ogive is a cost effective way to spend one's time.

Just saying.

Chris

 

[orkan]

Re: Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

I imagine I'd do it too.

Reloading is very relaxing time for me.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paulnyc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought a bullet checker from Sinclair. I am shooting Sierra Gameking .338 215 grain SBT. I measured 10 and averaged them. Most of the bullets were off the average by less than .001 of an inch with one that was .0016 - Is it worth it to measure and sort for .001? How much will it improve my accuracy?

Thanks in advance for the newbie question.

Paul. </div></div>

.001" is pretty tight.

A piece of typing paper is .003" thick.

Unless you're loading to exactly kiss the lands .005" in, or some specific amount, a variance of +/- .001" is not going to make much of a difference and even then, you'll have a hard time repeating this precision round after round.

Even though we deal in measurements as little as .0001", the law of diminishing returns starts to kick in at some point.

I'm actually surprised that your box was that tight across the board.

Chris

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: orkan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I imagine I'd do it too.

Reloading is very relaxing time for me. </div></div>

Not me.

Life's too short to be micing SS-109s for ogive length, but hey...it's your life.

They're not really target grade bullet, what with that steel rod buried inside, I guess is my point.

Chris

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paulnyc</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I measured 10 and averaged them. Most of the bullets were off the average by less than .001 of an inch with one that was .0016
Paul. </div></div>

How did you measure the one that was .0016" off?

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Bullet Ogive Measurement - does it matter?

"Is it worth it to measure and sort for .001? How much will it improve my accuracy?"

Even 3-4 times that difference will likely do nothing at all.

Like with powder charges within .1 gr., that degree of seating accuracy just isn't one of the highly "critical" things. Not for factory rifles anyway.