Armory Sponsor
Posted: 1/15/2017 11:19:44 AM EDT
|
Went to the range yesterday to pop off some loads that I had lying around for a rifle I traded off. (Pulling them down is boring. Shooting is fun!)
I got to the range early and had the place to myself for almost an hour. 
FN SPR A1 with Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50, Wallyworld bipod, tacticool Krylon and DIY paracord sling. 
Shot some decent groups with 168gr Hornady HPBTM and 178gr AMAX--not going to win any matches, but good enough for plinking. All shots were fired off the bipod and a rear bag. The magic happens with this rifle with 155gr SMK Palmas loaded long and warm. 
And found out why I got my last batch of 165gr SST blems so cheap. I've had good luck with the SSTs in the past, but these are worse than anything I've ever shot before--even Wolf steel case does better than this. 
To rule out the scope/rifle/me, I shot the upper right 168gr group immediately after the 165s--its definitely the projectiles. Same powder, same cases, same prep, same primers. Lesson learned: It's worth the extra few bucks to buy quality projectiles unless the plan is only to turn $$ into noise. *ignore the COAL note---it's 2.750, not 1.750 |
|
Unless you have shot the same load before with non-blems and it grouped well I don't see what your complaint is.
Did you do a specific load work up using the blems? If not, why would you expect them to shoot well? Don't get wrong I'm not saying that it's not the bullets. All I'm saying is that you can't expect 2 different set of components to shoot the same. Yes sometimes we get lucky but you can't be surprised when they don't. Motor |
|
Three things that you need to check with blems.
The first is weight, The second is OD size, The third is the engagement point of the Ogive off the base. Hence with most blems is not the first two that are the problem, but the last one isntead. If the lot is not bad, then you may be only talking a few thousands difference from bullet to bullet/ jump to lands on jump from the ogives not being he same, but have see blem lots so bad, that you may have a .003" ideal jump from one bullet, to something in the .015" range on the next one isntead. Note, HPBT's do not like to jump more that .008" to lands before they start having problems. Good read here on the variances of ogive on the same bullet types. http://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?5048-problem-with-ogive-amp-oal-with-223-bullets |
|
My experience....
Blems are usually listed for sale with some statement to the effect " these are cosmetic blemishes that will not effect bullet performance" or something similar.... I've bought some that were 1005 great other than a little tarnish. These were a deal. However, most of the others I've purchased have had MAJOR defects.... One batch of 4000 .224" bullets contained two VERY different bullet profiles. These were hardly "cosmetic". I've had others that had bullet cannelures that were all over the place. Again, this is hardly cosmetic.... Unless the blems are truly dirt cheap and intended for some low grade blasting ammo, its often not worth the aggravation. I'm seeing a whole lot of UNtruth in sales |
|
Never had a problem with blems from Nosler or Hornady by way of several different vendors.
You probably will not find a lot # on blems. Most of the time they just cosmetic issues like water stains to begin with. And, for most shooting if you are splitting hairs then don't buy them. But for under 600 yds they are great value! I have shot thousands of "blem 22 cal ballistic tips in 50/55gr". And, a many more V-Max, too. I laid hands on 45 Cal 185gr Custom Comp JHP a few years back for 10cents a pop delivered. Them loaded into WW cases with WLP torching off N310. Nuff said shoots lights out! |
Armory Sponsor