A couple of bullet weight questions

[pepperbelly]

I load .45acp for bullseye. I weighed a few of the 200gr LSWC bullets that I use and found, out of the 10 I weighed, a variation between 195.0gr to 196.6gr.
Is that enough of a variation to be concerned about for accuracy?
All load data I have ever read shows loads for a bullet weighing an even amount. What would happen to the pressure using a 195gr bullet and data for a 200gr bullet, or is that too small of a difference to have any effect?

Jim

[Jim Watson]

A bulk cast bullet weighing 195 grains when advertised 200 is a matter of tolerances in cutting the mould and variations in the alloy. It will not have any detectable effect on internal ballistics.

Bulk cast bullets with a small sample weight range of 195 to 196.6 will not much affect accuracy. I once weight sorted some like that into light, heavy, and average lots of only a couple of tenths variation; loaded them up and shot them off a Ransom Rest. Unsorted bullets right out of the box were actually more accurate than any of the weight matched batches.

[Hoser]

At 50 yards it might show up on a target. 10-25 yards it wont mean a thing.

[pepperbelly]

50 yard slow fire is what I am trying to get the most accuracy on. The timed and rapid fire stages at 25 yards are so close that I am not worried.

Jim

[Pat-inCO]

Easy and fun way, weigh all of your components (at least the brass and bullets) and group them. If you spend enough time to get twenty-five of each combination, then take them to the range and see.

I'll bet you see virtually no difference.

[Hoser]

If your gun will shoot 2 inch groups at 50, then it might matter.

You might as well have complete confidence in your gun and ammo.

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

For 45acp Bullseye Slow fire, I measure my brass to be sure it's all the same length +-.001". I don't care if it's 'spec' or not. Just consistent. I weigh my bullets to be within +-2%. Since I pour my own, I inspect every bullet, spru cut and the fine edges of the lube rings too. All of my BE loads are test fit in my barrel chamber before a match.

For the Timed/Rapid @25yds, I don't demand +-2% weight or the case length.

My current gun might not be capable of less than 2" @50yds right now, but if I can wring a 1/4" out of it with load consistancy, I will.

I do know of guns on the line in my neck of the woods that are certainly capable of 1 1/2" @50yds. If I had one, I would keep doing what I am now to give me a chance at the ultimate 1 1/2" group even though I'm not that good. Last week I had a 94 timed fire target. I'm quite happy with that for now.

Still, many people would say that the same amount of time spent for anal load developement would be better spend on dry fire practice. I try to do both.

-Steve