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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Bullet comparator needed?
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<blockquote data-quote="FearNoWind" data-source="post: 991229" data-attributes="member: 50867"><p><strong><em>what about polymer(plastic) tipped bullets like TTSX, accubonds, Amax...etc? Do these type bullets offer more reliable tip lengths that a comparator is really not necessary?</em></strong></p><p>Even poly tipped bullets have some inconsistencies. However, even with a comparator you can find inconsistencies - most of which usually occur from the way the caliper is used. Nevertheless, IMO you'll always have better results using a comparator because the COAL length of the loaded round has no bearing on it's performance without consideration of CBTO. </p><p><strong>If you already have a load shooting around 1MOA, could measuring bullet seating depth off the ogive as opposed to the tip give you much better results inside relatively short ranges like 300 yards? </strong></p><p>Once you've got it shooting inside 1MOA it's time to work on seating depth. If you already have CBTO data you could probably use COAL as a basis for comparison (you know how far your initial test loads were off the lands so adding/subtracting a few thousandths is relatively simple) but you've stil got that bullet tip error to influence the measurement so I'd stick with the CBTO.</p><p><strong><em>When you go to load your next round, will you want to back the die out just a hair...seat the bullet, measure length with comparator,...then continue seating until it is the same ogive depth as the first round?</em></strong></p><p><strong><em></em></strong>I do that if I'm loading for a match and I want +/- .0005 in CBTO. But it's time consuming and I don't bother to take that step for hunting loads.</p><p><strong><em>I have RCBS dies...I am not sure if they load off the ogive to begin with or if they are simply pushing the bullet in by it's tip</em></strong>.</p><p>Most factory "off the shelf" dies don't include a Secant bullet seating stem. So it is possible that your dies are simply pushing on the bullet tip (or primarily closer to the tip) but if you're not getting excessive runout I wouldn't worry about it.</p><p>Take one bullet and press it into the seating stem with some degree of force that will mark the bullet (you can use that bullet later as a fouler so it won't be wasted)</p><p>Then you'll know where the seating stem is applying pressure to the bullet while seating.</p><p>I sometimes use Prussian Blue to get an accurate indicator - it eliminates the need for pressure on the bullet tip.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="FearNoWind, post: 991229, member: 50867"] [B][I]what about polymer(plastic) tipped bullets like TTSX, accubonds, Amax...etc? Do these type bullets offer more reliable tip lengths that a comparator is really not necessary?[/I][/B] Even poly tipped bullets have some inconsistencies. However, even with a comparator you can find inconsistencies - most of which usually occur from the way the caliper is used. Nevertheless, IMO you'll always have better results using a comparator because the COAL length of the loaded round has no bearing on it's performance without consideration of CBTO. [B]If you already have a load shooting around 1MOA, could measuring bullet seating depth off the ogive as opposed to the tip give you much better results inside relatively short ranges like 300 yards? [/B] Once you've got it shooting inside 1MOA it's time to work on seating depth. If you already have CBTO data you could probably use COAL as a basis for comparison (you know how far your initial test loads were off the lands so adding/subtracting a few thousandths is relatively simple) but you've stil got that bullet tip error to influence the measurement so I'd stick with the CBTO. [B][I]When you go to load your next round, will you want to back the die out just a hair...seat the bullet, measure length with comparator,...then continue seating until it is the same ogive depth as the first round? [/I][/B]I do that if I'm loading for a match and I want +/- .0005 in CBTO. But it's time consuming and I don't bother to take that step for hunting loads. [B][I]I have RCBS dies...I am not sure if they load off the ogive to begin with or if they are simply pushing the bullet in by it's tip[/I][/B]. Most factory "off the shelf" dies don't include a Secant bullet seating stem. So it is possible that your dies are simply pushing on the bullet tip (or primarily closer to the tip) but if you're not getting excessive runout I wouldn't worry about it. Take one bullet and press it into the seating stem with some degree of force that will mark the bullet (you can use that bullet later as a fouler so it won't be wasted) Then you'll know where the seating stem is applying pressure to the bullet while seating. I sometimes use Prussian Blue to get an accurate indicator - it eliminates the need for pressure on the bullet tip. [/QUOTE]
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Bullet comparator needed?
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