Head's up on bullet weight for .38-40

[Doc Holloman]

A head’s up for those of you that shoot .38-40 rifle for Wild Bunch.   I recently ordered a batch of .40 caliber 180gr coated bullets from a well known manufacturer.  Since 180gr is the minimum for WB rifle, I routinely weigh each bullet before loading.  Usually I get  20 percent that are underweight ( I set a minimum of 181gr just to account for material that might get shaved in the seating process) and I set those aside for practice.  But when I weighed this batch, more than 70 percent were under 180 gr, and none exceeded 181.  I had hoped to use these bullets for a major match next month, but they are going in the practice bin.   This is the first time I have ordered this caliber from this particular manufacturer, and have been happy with previous bullet (.30-06, .357, and .45ACP).  I’ve let him know about my issue and told him I will use the bullets for practice, so I’m not looing for any refund or anything like that.  Just giving him, and you folks a head’s up.

[Coffinmaker]

   Doc 

It's really nice to getcher heads up, but would help to know who the supplier was.  Or would you prefer we ask by PM??


People ARE real Hazardous to Yer Health

[Ranch 13]

 Are they so strict and check ammo that a 178 gr bullet would disqualify the ammo?

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[Abilene]

Are they so strict and check ammo that a 178 gr bullet would disqualify the ammo?

Most local matches do not check.  But major matches check and yes that would get you a match DQ.

[Ranch 13]

 That's just weird. Anybody that cast their own knows depending on the barometer and humidity, bullets cast from the same mould and alloy can come up with a lighter or heavier batch of bullets on any given day and run of bullets.

[Doc Holloman]

  Doc 

It's really nice to getcher heads up, but would help to know who the supplier was.  Or would you prefer we ask by PM??

I'd actually rather not.  The manufacturer has reached out to me and says he will look into what can be done about the bullet weight.  I' have never had a problem with their other products. 

I have had this issue to a lesser extent with other bullet makers' 180 grain bullets and always weigh each one before loading as they are sitting right at the minimum weight.  That was really the point of my posting, to suggest 180 gr shooters check their bullet weights, particularly for major matches.

[Abilene]

...I have had this issue to a lesser extent with other bullet makers' 180 grain bullets and always weigh each one before loading as they are sitting right at the minimum weight.  That was really the point of my posting, to suggest 180 gr shooters check their bullet weights, particularly for major matches.

Some shooters use minimum of 185gr bullets to try to avoid this issue.  But yes, if loading at the minimum weight then it is highly recommended to weigh each bullet as Doc mentioned.  My WB rifle ammo is 250gr and pistol is 230gr so I don't have to even think about it.  But one must still be sure they are making the 150 power factor.  Bigger matches that pull and weigh random sample bullets also chrono the loads.

[Ranch 13]

 I seriously doubt that the power factor of a 178 gr bullet cast from a 189 gr mould and loaded with the same powder charge as a 180 would show up in calculations

[Abilene]

I seriously doubt that the power factor of a 178 gr bullet cast from a 189 gr mould and loaded with the same powder charge as a 180 would show up in calculations

They weigh a few bullets.  If they are less than 180, you are done.  If they are 180 or more then that is applied to the chrono speed for power factor.  Again, if less than 150, you are done.  So, there are two things you have to pass.  The same logic that says weigh your bullets if they are close to 180gr says that you should exceed the power factor by however much you deem is needed to account for variations in powder drop and temperature.  If your PF is normally 155, on a cold morning it could be under 150 depending on your load.

[Doc Holloman]

 Just weighed 100 "180gr" bullets from another manufacturer.  3 were underweight and another 2 were so close that I eliminated them.  The set averaged about 183gr, with a couple over 185.