bbqreloader
Member
Soooo, more geared to people learning to reload but maybe for someone whose never bought pulled bullets either, here goes.
I have always used a particular brand of bullet(s) so that was what my seating dies were set for, never ventured really from those bullets.
Got some great deals on pulled 308 and 223. Although it was mentioned that there maybe some weight variations and cannelure may not match they were roughly the same weight grain. True, not a big deal, measured 20 of em and averaged +/- 3/4 gr.
BUT what I failed to take in account was the length of the projectile, pulled 308= 1.145 to 1.165. I use an OAL of 3.185 for my M1, it feeds well and operates. I always use a +/- .005 variation. However when using the bullets I was all over the place, 3.165 to 3.194. Ran into same issue with the 223 finished OAL (different OAL obviously).
So sat down and hand measured the 308 bullets into stacks for the variance. 1.160 to 1.169, 1.150 to 1.159 and so forth. Not sure if I'm being overly cautious, to precise or I just like things a certain way but thought I would pass the info as I find this stuff out so maybe the next person will have a smoother reloading session.
Not to say the deals aren't fantastic, but if you have your seating dies set for a specific brand you always buy, just check 15 or so bullets from the pulled bag to see what your length is compared to your normal bullets you buy and sort/adjust accordingly.
Lesson learned and another thing to file away in the reloading learning log...
I have always used a particular brand of bullet(s) so that was what my seating dies were set for, never ventured really from those bullets.
Got some great deals on pulled 308 and 223. Although it was mentioned that there maybe some weight variations and cannelure may not match they were roughly the same weight grain. True, not a big deal, measured 20 of em and averaged +/- 3/4 gr.
BUT what I failed to take in account was the length of the projectile, pulled 308= 1.145 to 1.165. I use an OAL of 3.185 for my M1, it feeds well and operates. I always use a +/- .005 variation. However when using the bullets I was all over the place, 3.165 to 3.194. Ran into same issue with the 223 finished OAL (different OAL obviously).
So sat down and hand measured the 308 bullets into stacks for the variance. 1.160 to 1.169, 1.150 to 1.159 and so forth. Not sure if I'm being overly cautious, to precise or I just like things a certain way but thought I would pass the info as I find this stuff out so maybe the next person will have a smoother reloading session.
Not to say the deals aren't fantastic, but if you have your seating dies set for a specific brand you always buy, just check 15 or so bullets from the pulled bag to see what your length is compared to your normal bullets you buy and sort/adjust accordingly.
Lesson learned and another thing to file away in the reloading learning log...
