Acceptable LSWC variation?

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ASCTLC said:
Email sent. We'll see how they answer. I suspect return will be on my dime.

I can get magnum capable pressure/velocity Power Bonds for .6 cents more but I'd like to get into some SWC if I can. We'll see what happens...

Andy
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I'd be raising hell if they wanted me to return their mistakes on my own dime. Id expect rimrock to ship you a new box no questions asked(well besides sending them a few pictures).
 
Yes, there was a way to tell as ArchAngel points out. I try to keep decent records of my reloading information and that includes details of my pictures I take and keep.

I didn't want to just blatantly come out with it yet though in favor of giving Frank a chance to respond first. I'm sure he's an outrageously busy man these days and will remain patient for his response.

This was more for educating me because I don't know what the expectation should be with lead bullets. Close up pictures can show more detail than is really an issue sometimes and weight variance is of course subjective to one's intended use so I'm afraid I'm just a little ignorant of this particular topic for cast. I certainly know jackets/plated with this variation would send me hollerin back at the mfr.

Andy
 
Well, you guys called it :) He had a look at em and stated he didn't realize his molds had gotten so bad. Stated he was going to melt down his current product while he awaits his new molds being made by someone other than who'd made his last ones.

Told me he'll send me replacements after he gets the new molds up and running and to just go shoot up the ones I got.

And just to recap; these are the .358, 158 gr SWC-WN not the regular SWC.

Andy
 
good to hear they made it right. Now you have 500 free dangerously out of spec bullets. You better mail em to me so I can melt em down and make em safe again :rolleyes:
 
That's a thousand Mike. I wasn't overly bright and jumped in for a first try of 1k (live-n-learn I guess) We'll see when the time comes though. Just as a wild assed guess, I'm expecting a good 8 weeks at least if he still has to get molds and have them up and running for a shipable product. A lot can happen in that amount of time so all I have is his reputation, word, and hope at this point.

In the mean time I'll try to figure out what I can actually do with these. How would I work up a load when the range is as wide as 8 grs? If I took that much time to weigh and separate them within reason, even the bulk of em are a good 3 grains variation. Is that good enough for 25 yard light plinking if somewhat accuracy is desired? Don't want to just waste powder and primers if 3 grains bullet variation results in shotgunning 5" groups...

Andy
 
OK, you got a bad batch of bullets. Just load 'em up and shoot them since you have them on hand. Start with starting loads and you'll be ok. You may not be able to tell the difference in shooting (my shooting accuracy is waning due to my eyesight and strength so any so-so accuracy is good enuf for me). Chalk it up to experience and don't buy any more from that vendor...:cuss:
 
ASCTLC said:
Well, you guys called it :) He had a look at em and stated he didn't realize his molds had gotten so bad. Stated he was going to melt down his current product while he awaits his new molds being made by someone other than who'd made his last ones.

Told me he'll send me replacements after he gets the new molds up and running and to just go shoot up the ones I got.

And just to recap; these are the .358, 158 gr SWC-WN not the regular SWC.

Andy
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just as I predicted a good company would do. I'm glad everything worked out for you and I'm glad it was a mistake as I guessed...

As a side note, I would load them up over a 4.0gr charge of W231 or your favorite .38 Special plinking load and just shoot them at the range. Knowing the variation might throw off the accuracy is fine if you're only plinking instead of using them for "important work". lol
 
I just got an order of 1000 .40 bullets from a company I've been very pleased with.

These looked good but after going through them I'm a little disappointed. Found one with a hole in the side. The whole lot looks like they were done in a hurry.

Everyone is backed-up but I'd wait a little longer for better quality.

All the Best,
D. White
 
UPDATE - Frank at Rim Rock followed through and I got the replacements. Now those a fine looking bullets!

Sent me a Pistol Sack too :)

Andy
 
I got some cast projectiles from a different maker last week. One box was pock marked and looked like they were cast at the wrong temp. ....smothered in way too much lube.... the weights were OK...

The other boxes were better.
 
rajbcpa said:
I got some cast projectiles from a different maker last week. One box was pock marked and looked like they were cast at the wrong temp. ....smothered in way too much lube.... the weights were OK...

The other boxes were better.
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So you commit a drive by on a reputable company over at TFL, disappearing and not posting the pictures requested and now you come over here? At least you had the decency to not post names. Did you ever contact the vendor?
 
I haven't shot them Certaindeaf. I just haven't had time to shoot at all lately, been trying to get one of my bathrooms put back together (full remodel).

But when I do think about em, I don't know what I'm going to do with em. If I could do it cheap enough, I'd actually send them back to Frank and let him melt em back down. Rim Rock's just aren't cheap enough for me to add to my expense for a thousand of these by adding additional shipping charges.

I have my doubts I'll even shoot em. Just way too much variation for me to even figure out what to load.

Andy
 
Save them for that day you try your hand at casting. Melt em down and you'll have good bullet alloy all ready to go. Flux is already built in. :)
 
If that is the average, then the lot is not acceptable.
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Yup, those be some ugly bullets.

A little weight variation is normal on machine cast bullets, but the size variation is....disturbing.

In reality, most folks and their pistols can't shoot the difference 4 or 5 grains would make in a bullet- to those who can, you are excused from this blanket statement.

To top it off- they are just FUGLY. Have some dang pride in your workmanship.


If you MUST buy a machine produced cast bullet, try Missouri Bullet or Rocky Mountain Reloading once Jake gets all of his machines up and running. Hopefully he can take some of the new biz overflow off of Brads' shoulders and let them get back up to full steam without an anvil over his head.

FWIW- once you start casting your own, you'll begin to enjoy the benefits of true flat base bullets- not the bevel base stuff the castomatic spits out.

In any event, those bullets would be going back, if they were mine......
 
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I guess I should have thought far enough to stow em for casting for myself. Been considering casting anyway... Guess I'm just too distracted with catching up with all I have to do around the house.

I got some MBCs recently blarby. Fine SWC bullets. But he doesn't do WFN SWC like I want. But that's alright, a good number of companies to fulfill my needs :D

Andy
 
I believe the first picture is two different bullets, one the 158-wn the other the standard 158-swc. I received a box from Rim Rock that had a mixture of the two myself. The crimp (one tapered one not) and lube grooves (one much wider) are visibly different. If/when you shoot those you will want to sort the two as they will have different seating depths (for me anyways.) The easiest way to sort them was to look at the noses and then verify looking at the crimp groove. It was a bit of a pain, but I enjoyed shooting them.
 
I've purchased 1,000s of a famous makers 200 gr LRNFP.
I've seen 'em vary from 197 - 205.

As long as they aren't loaded to max powder charge, I wouldn't worry about it.

I use these for 45 Colt & 45 ACP.
My 45 Colt recipe is 11.0 gr Accurate #5, OAL 1.600
(got that data directly from Accurate's ballistician.)
Max would be 11.5
 
Hmmm 8 gr variation... with a little effort, should I be able to find the time, I could probably weed out many to be within a more reasonable 158 gr weight range to make use of them and save the worst for recast... Thanks for further clarification.

Being as green as I am with cast, not so green reloading, the information you guys are conveying is immensely helpful to learn what expecations I should have.

Andy
 
Varying the alloy can make a fair difference in as cast weight, but naturally a lot should be all the same alloy and weights should be within 3 or 4 Grs for commercial bullets in my opinion. Some would say they expect less than that, and I bet many batches are. I am just not worried about a little weight variance. The charge weight in load books for cast bullets of say 200 grs, is perfectly safe with bullets from 197 to 205 Grs. Pressure wise I doubt you could prove a difference worth mentioning.

The weight spread on your bullets is not ideal, but certainly not dangerous. The consistency on diameter is ten times more important for leading and accuracy concerns. I would use 158 Gr lead data, even with the few 168 Gr bullets in the batch and never lose any sleep over it.
 
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