Bullet weight inconsistency

[Ron Go]

Hi All,

I bought a box of 168 gr Speers Target Match bullets. I chose these because they had the highest ballistic coefficient in 30 cal.

I weight sorted these 100 bullets and have the following results:

167.7 gr = 4
167.8 gr = 20
167.9 gr = 29
168.0 gr = 38
168.1 gr = 6
168.2 gr = 2
168.5 gr = 1

Given that this is a match bullet, I was surprised to have so much spread in weights. I would have guessed 0.1 gr at most or maybe 0.2.

My question - is this typical?
Does anybody have weight results on their bullets? It would be helpful to get a few responses to see how much they vary.

Thanks and best regards,

Ron

 

[mshootnit]

the bullets that are a half grain off are a little more than I like to see but the others are going to shoot just fine. You will probably put them into the same hole.

 

[BluegrassDan]

The last box of 165 grain .308 Sierra Gamekings ranged from 164.8 to 165.5. Majority weighed 165.2.

 

[Hardtarget]

I've thought about it but I've never weighed a box to see what the spread would be.

There's a box on the bench...maybe I should run through them.

Mark

 

[Curator]

Speer's bullets almost always vary more than Sierra. 1 to 2 grain total varience is normal in the 150-180 grain weight for a box from Speer. Sierra Match King often varry less than + or - .2 grains which is why they win more matches. Want a good laugh weigh Remington "Core Loked" 180 .30 caliber grain slugs. The last batch I had showed a 7 grain difference between the lightest and heaviest. Of course at 100 yards this made little difference. Farther out, well that's a different story.

 

[Ron Go]

Interesting to see some other results. I weighed them for curiosity and to match them into groups. Before I measured them I have to admit I didn't expect the spread I saw.

Knowing this, I will likely weigh all future boxes. I will segregate the ones that are too far off for when I have a fun day at the range with friends.

I have 50 Nosler Accubonds at 180 gr and will weigh those to see how much a 'hunting' bullet varies.

 

[NOLAEMT]

some precision shooters seperate the bullets out of the box by weight, and disguard any that are outside their chosen limits.

 

[Ron Go]

An update:

I weighed a box of Nosler 180 gr accubonds with the following results:

179.8 gr = 9
179.9 gr = 14
180.0 gr = 22
180.1 gr = 4
180.2 gr = 1

I would consider the accubonds a hunting bullet versus just a target bullet. Here I was a little surprised to see a much tigher spread compared to the match bullets.

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

[fpgt72]

I like to weigh everything...it is just part of the fun for me. I weigh the cases and the bullets....Don't do primers for obvious reasons.

I just took a break from doing some 3006 with hornady bullets, bullet weight in that box varried IIRC .5 grains. The cases are more then that.

 

[StrawHat]

I can't shoot accurately enough to tell the difference.

 

[Ron Go]

Hi All,

I weighed some nosler 180 gr partition in 30 cal with the following results:

179.6 gr = 1
179.7 gr = 7
179.8 gr = 6
179.9 gr = 10
180.0 gr = 16
180.1 gr = 7
180.2 gr = 2
180.3 gr = 1

I am not as concerned with the weight variation with these rounds, as they are primarily intended for hunting closer range like 50-200 yards...but it is good to know.

Still I will weight sort bullets. For target bullets in general, I will probably take those +/- 0.2 grains. For hunting 50-200 yards it probably doesn't make much different. For longer range, up to 500 yards, I will probably sort to +/- 0.2 grains. Bullets outside these limits I will probably use just to have fun at the range.

If anybody has weight sorted other lots or other bullets, I would be happy to see the results.

Thanks, Ron

 

[aka108]

Some really anal detailed bench rest shooters weigh and separate each bullet, same with the cases and trickle each load of powder to get it "just right". I'm sure it pays off in the accuracy department for their type of shooting. For hunting or simply a day at the range I don't think the small variances would be noticed by most shooters. In my case, I have tried expensive ammo and common off the shelf ammo and I can't tell the difference. I probably don't really shoot well enough so getting anal about loads would not help me one bit.

 

[Maverick223]

Speer's bullets almost always vary more than Sierra.

+1, Speer is amongst my least favorite bullets for this reason. They vary in measurements as well (length to ogive is particularly important). Sierra do exceptionally well (despite the oft uneven open tip that they exhibit), and are priced fairly. IME Hornady and Berger match bullets are pretty good too, but you'll pay a little extra for those.