Going to the next level -- Bullet Comparator

[Jcinnb]

Got the tools and have watched the youtubes.

I only have one remaining question.

When measuring with the comparator and then ensuring your seating depth is based on the ogive, do you measure EVERY bullet, or just one of a type?

I know the litany that every bullet is different, but I don't "get" if that means every type/style/flavor, whatever, or if it means in a box of 100 Grain, Ballistic Tips, that every one of those in the box are different.

I can't believe you measure every single bullet, but I don't know.

Thanks in advance and please don't laugh too hard!

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

no, i do not measure every single bullet i seat. the whole point of using a comparator is to measure off the ogive, which is more consistent than measuring off the meplat (point) of the bullet, which tends to vary bullet-to-bullet.

 

[dsm]

Not sure what type of comparator you were referring to. There are a couple different ones.

I use one that clamps onto a set of calipers and I use it for seating depth. When setting depth, I measure about 5 in a row to make sure the die is set where I want it.



I also have a comparator stand that I use to sort bullets with. This device will measure bullet bearing surface. Yes, I measure and sort each bullet.

Not sure what your intent or goals are in reference to taking it to the next level, but in the 1000 BR shooting, sorting bullets is a must...along with a bunch more anal details, LOL.

 

[Jcinnb]

I have been determining seating depth, ascertaining the overall length based on seating depth, and then adjusting seating die to give me the resultant length.

I think the comparator will increase the precision with which I load, hence going to next level..

 

[USSR]

Jcinnb ,

Select one bullet, and set it aside for future use. Do not try to split hairs and set your bullet seating die for just a few thousands off the lands. Since even the best match bullet's ogive location will vary by up to 0.010", do not set your seating die to seat your bullets less than 0.010" off the lands. Just MHO.

Don

 

[lykoris]

ahhhhh the elusive search for the perfect round and score

 

[RainDodger]

When I buy a box of bullets that I have not loaded before, I pull out 5 of them and measure my chamber with each one. Then I choose an ogive measurement to use for that entire box of bullets.... and any future box of bullets that's the same catalog number.

Just fyi, I recently spoke at length with an experienced long range benchrest competitor and he told me that he always found the best accuracy when bullets were seated upwards of .020" off the lands at a minimum. I've found that .030" off the lands works quite well in a number of rifles. Of course your mileage will likely vary. I just don't go to the trouble of seating bullets too close to the lands.

 

[W.E.G.]

For the regular Joe, if he is jamming the bullets into the rifling, trouble will find him sooner or later.

In the case of most rifles, the limiting factor is going to be magazine length before you can get into the rifling anyway.

I used to think I needed to shoot 80 grain bullets, loaded longer-than-magazine-length, in my AR for Service Rifle competition. I shot magazine-length 77's "across the course" for a full season last year, and I could see no disadvantage whatsoever as pertains to accuracy or wind-drift.

The comparator is still a good tool to have.

Armed with the information that you get from the comparator, you may be disappointed when you find that there are variances lot-to-lot in the ogive when rounds are loaded to a consistent OAL. I discovered this with Sierra Match King 77's and I was very perturbed by it until I determined that it MADE NO DIFFERENCE as pertained to accuracy in my rifle, and my application (National Match service-rifle competition).