Flat base and gas checks

[Archeryrob]

So is the left bullet still a reject with a gas check on it? I agree plain bad yes it would be.

 

[Archeryrob]

The bullet sample

 

[Doco Overboard]

I usually cull ones that look like that and drop them back into the pot.
Even with Gc's.
Now, if I told you all my cast bullets are absolutely flawless, I wouldn't be entirely truthful either.
Because they're not.
I try to make them like the one on the right, but without a divot in the base whether I'm using gc's or not.

 

[Archeryrob]

But does it matter for normal shooting. I can imagine competition would have higher standards, but my finger pull or breathing probably affects my shot more.

If it is wrinkled in the tip or driving bands remelt, but I am just wondering if I am being overly picky culling these with a gas check and a flawless bullet except for base filled out square.

 

[Doco Overboard]

But does it matter for normal shooting. I can imagine competition would have higher standards, but my finger pull or breathing probably affects my shot more.

If it is wrinkled in the tip or driving bands remelt, but I am just wondering if I am being overly picky culling these with a gas check and a flawless bullet except for base filled out square.

Yeah you see Im picky with all the work that just goes into my brass alone. And my time is free but only to a certain extent.
And the reason is, the base of the bullet is what does all the work for the rifles I use them in. Metford rifling and goofy stuff like that.
When I'm out there making bullets, wrinkles in the nose and what not dont bother me as much as that base being sharp and square.
If they dont look well, right back in the pot they go. But again, I probably drop a bunch back in that I dont have to just so you know. But, at the same time Im thre casting bullets so if things are going well I just keep on with it.
Ill tell you something else, I dont care what the bore slugs like either too much on old stuff either to get some of these things to shoot. The throats are either wore out, cut oversixe in front of the chamber neck etc just because of the way a reamer was /still is made and all of that. Jacketed bullets or not and thats just how it really is unless you have one ground specifically for what your working with.

 

[Archeryrob]

I asked on Cast bullets also and one comment said if you expect tight group and accuracy at 100 yards cull it. It is for a hunting round, so seems I won't chance it and they get culled and melted. I just had the thought it might not matter, but don't need any other problems to try this.

 

[Archeryrob]

I culled them out and then gas checked them . Left side on the towel is the culls and bullets before and after. 311 before and 309 after. Gas checks are 321 so the compress and grab it pretty good

 

[Archeryrob]

Looking at that picture again. I thought the bullet got taller from the gas check, but look how wide the sized bullet driving bands are to the cast bullet. I think the bullet for longer in the driving bands area.

 

[John from MD]

Will you be shooting for precision or just proficiency? The reason I ask is that many bullets that are culled for long range accuracy can be used for short range training. If I have minor base flaws, I will check them and mark them for 50 yard practice.

Over the years, I have found that being picky with cast bullets is not necessarily needed. Since these days I powder coat, I will keep bullets with lines that I used to cull out. It is truly amazing to see how much accuracy is retained even though the bullet has warts.

 

[Archeryrob]

These are hunting rounds, so 50 - 150 yard normal, maybe 250 yards at most, once I feel comfortable with them. I am thinking proficiency as pie plate is dead and 1" MOA is precision. They are for making meat and practicing on paper to make meat. I hunt a lot of short range spots, but have some longer range field options also.

 

[John from MD]

I would only worry about using the best for over 150 yards. Under that, anything reasonable will make meat.

 

[Blacksmith101]

You are your own Quality Control.

Separate your culls into two piles better and worst then load them and shoot them for accuracy testing against some of your best castings and compare the results. Then decide if they meet your quality control standards for your end purpose.

 

[Sticky]

Weigh them and see how short the ones are that don't fill out the mold all the way. You may be surpised. I remelt them if they don't look good and many of them I just cull while pouring. I may be overpicky, but it's no big deal to drop em back in the pot and recast them. The first few pours in a freshly heated mold will just get dumped without question to get the mold evenly heated and dropping good bullets that are properly filled out.