Ultimate bullet sample pack proposal

[LiveLife]

I would like to solicit some feedback from THR reloading community and offer a proposal to benefit new reloaders (and some seasoned reloaders).

I am getting ready to mentor another shooter new to reloading and while packaging 25 sample bullets of each type/weight I have on hand (Hornady, Winchester, Remington, Speer Gold Dot, Montana Gold, Berry's regular/HB-TP, Power Bond, Rainier, X-Treme and Missouri, etc.) so the new reloader can try them out, I had a thought.

What if a vendor offered an "ultimate bullet sample packs" specific to a caliber with a combination of popular bullet types, nose profiles and weights new (and seasoned) reloaders might want to try out before buying 500-1000 bulk boxes? I know each bullet manufacturer often offer sample packs but I am not aware of anyone offering bullets from multiple manufacturers.

I am thinking Rocky Mountain Reloading might be the perfect vendor to offer these bullet sample packs as Jake may have the financial resources to buy commercial level volume of bullets along with his inventory of bullets that includes pulled bullets (pistol and rifle) to be packaged into "ultimate bullet sample packs".

So what do you think? Anyone interested in such packages of bullets?

If so,

- What brand/types of bullets are you interested?

- How many of each bullet type is enough to make dummy round and conduct powder workup? (10/20/25, etc.).

- And ultimately, would RMR be interested in offering such packages?

 

[sellersm]

You mean like this?

 

[JerZsquid]

You mean like this?

Those are alright but I think he was talking more about multiple bullet types in one bundle. It seems like the website you listed only has packages with one bullet type per caliber. All you have to do is order multiple types but it would be nice to have bundles of different profiles.

I think they should offer bundles you can choose by selecting caliber, then select bullet weight range, and then select purpose (target, hunting, etc).

 

[Odd Job]

Hi BDS

I would be interested in a 9mm set but it wouldn't be for reloading it would be for radiography/forensics.

 

[dragon813gt]

Good idea but I don't see it happening. For one it would be pretty expensive. Sure you would get a variety of bullets. But I'd rather spend $20 per box to find out I don't like them. Then to spend a couple hundred and possibly find out I only like one or two types. I guess I don't see the trial and error on new types of bullets as financially restrictive.


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[john16443]

So what do you think? Anyone interested in such packages of bullets?

If so,

- What brand/types of bullets are you interested?

- How many of each bullet type is enough to make dummy round and conduct powder workup? (10/20/25, etc.).

- And ultimately, would RMR be interested in offering such packages?

Very interested in 9mm and 45ACP. IMO, a minimum of 25 of each type would be the most useful, but maybe offer the range from 10 to 25 of each type in increments of 5. Let the buyer select what may work best for them. One powder guys may like fewer, multi powder guys would need more for evaluation.

The sample packs could be developed by brand, and ultimately across brands as you build your personal sample pack. For example, I would not include lead bullets in my sample pack, but would certainly buy combinations of plated and jacketed bullets of all styles available from multiple makers.

Brands to include may be highly dependent of who the distributor is and what is available to them or what relationships they have. While you mention RMR, maybe someone like TJ Conevera or even Powder Valley (and others?) could be approached with this. They already have access to and sell bullets from multiple makers in just about any flavor needed.

 

[MtnCreek]

Just food for thought, it takes me about 100 rds to figure out about where I'm going to be on a new load. I may very well be the ‘slow kid in class’ when developing a new load…

I could see it being useful for certain hard to feed semi-auto pistols.

 

[cfullgraf]

I can see benefits from both sides.

It would be handy to be able to buy small quantities of bullets for testing. I have numerous partial boxes of bullets that I did not like that I would not have if I could have purchased smaller quantities.

But, there is such a variety of bullets out there, unless the bullet packs were custom built, they probably would not have one or two of the styles I would like to try.

I am not sure how big a market trial packs of bullets would be. Yes, a new shooter could benefit greatly from trial packs, or the old shooter that got a new firearm in a new cartridge. But, the experienced shooter/reloader may not need a variety of bullets to try.

As an opportunity to suggest, maybe a "Bullet Exchange". A reloader could send in unwanted bullets for cash or credit on trial quantities of something else. A reloader, new or experienced, could get trial packs. A small fee would be added to cover administration/shipping costs. Bullet packs generated from partial boxes sent in would have a lower unit cost than buying a full box of new bullets.

Just an idea.

 

[DeadFlies]

I went to the local reloading shop a few weeks ago to get some bullets FMJ bullets. They had some cast stuff that is produced locally in 500-count boxes only. I asked if there were smaller quantities available and was told "No, but we give you some samples if you'd like."

So I got about 50 bullets for free (I paid for my FMJs though) so I could make sure they run (or don't) through my pistol. Great deal, even if I had to pay for them. I was happy to get some variety and I'm now spending some time with three different bullets trying to figure out which bullets works with how much powder and at what length. The monkey-brain is busy and happy.

That being said, if it was just random bullets, even of a specific caliber, I don't think I'd be happy with that. Give me samples of stuff I want, not just what's available.

 

[ssmith1187]

Something similiar: http://www.bulletsamples.com/

Regards,
Steve

 

[jim147]

Several years ago, Hodgdon offered packs with 4 1/4 pound bottles of powder in the same range. Sounded like a great idea to me, test the same bullet with Varget, 4895 4350..., It didn't work out from a sales side.

Your idea is sound, but I'm not sure the market is there for it.

jim

 

[J_McLeod]

I think it's a good idea. Given RMR's reputation, I would have bought one when I started loading 40, 223 and 357. I think 50 of each would be a good amount. I think a mix of lead, plated a jacketed in each of the caliber's common weights would make them best sample. It wouldn't even need to have cast, plated and jacketed for each weight. Maybe something like this.

95gr Speer TMJ
115gr MG FMJ
124 Plated Berry's or Rainier
147 MBC TC


I would also like to see something similar with powders. I would like to try Longshot, Blue Dot and H322, but don't want to spend $20 commit to 200-2000 rounds just to try them.

 

[Hondo 60]

The links provided offer at least something, but it's only for rifle rounds.

I shoot the popular handgun rounds 9mm, 38spl, 357 mag, 44 Spl, 44 Mag & 45 Colt (plus the oddball 7.62x25 Tokarev).
With that many calibers, you can see how expensive it is to try new bullets/powders.

So a nice 25 ct sample size would REALLY be appreciated.

One our favorites did send me a sample free of charge when I asked.
(Sorry I won't name them because then every swinging richard would be hittin' 'em up for freebies.)

 

[rfwobbly]

Berry Mfg offers an "assortment pack" but it's not listed on their web page. If you call them directly, they'll be glad to send it.