[TLuker]

Originally Posted by SubZero

First, thanks to everyone for the assistance. I appreciate the replies.



Well, that is kind of a bummer.

Are there some brands that are more consistent than others when it comes to putting out different lots?

I know for example in the computer world, Verbatim has a history of making very consistent, high quality optical media (CD-R, DVD-R, etc.)

Maybe certain rifle ammo brands are more consistent than others.

You just have to try different ammo and see what your gun likes. Most brands are pretty consistent. If a brand shoots well then that brand in the same identical type will almost always shoot good. The trick is finding the one type that shoots good, and there usually isn't any way to guess which one that'll be.

[nitestalker]

The heavier bullets will strike higher in most cases. The lighter rounds will impact lower with the same sight settings. The reason is lapse time in the barrels and muzzle rise. The slower bullet will remain in the barrel longer allowing the muzzle to rise more before exiting the muzzle. The lighter bullet will spend less time in the barrel and reduce the muzzle rise before it exsiting the muzzle.

Flat primers are not going to tell you what the the pressures may be. This can be caused by a large flash hole dirty chamber improper headspace bullets to tight in the throat etc. The fact that the windage was not off has more to do with the stable factor of the bullets at a given pressure. They seemd to be OK reletive to twist and barrel bedding.

[SubZero]

Originally Posted by jpattersonnh

Power is made from organic ingredients, not software. When I reload, if I find a lot that shoots well, I buy 8lb. Takes guess work out of it for a while.

It was just an example. I know that ammo is different. I'm not a total idiot.

[locutus]

A good military commander has his troops re-zero their rifles every tie a new batch of ammo arrives.

As Patterson said, buy 8 lbs of powder st a time (or more if you can afford it) and don't worry about lot numbers.

[nitestalker]

No so Locutus. Bench rest shooters would never agree on that concept. There are many examples of difference in Lot numbers. The famous Ball C Lot number 2 was a legend. The later Lots Of Ball C just never did the job. There are many examples such as the orginal IMR 4831. For serious shooters Lot mumbers are damn important.

[locutus]

Originally Posted by nitestalker

No so Locutus. Bench rest shooters would never agree on that concept. There are many examples of difference in Lot numbers. The famous Ball C Lot number 2 was a legend. The later Lots Of Ball C just never did the job. There are many examples such as the orginal IMR 4831. For serious shooters Lot mumbers are damn important.

Right. I guess my previous post wasn't clear.

Lot numbers are critical. That's why I buy at least 8 lbs, or more from the same lot when I buy powder.

When that stash is used up, I buy another 8 or more lbs, again from a single lot number, and re-work the load.

[nitestalker]

Now that is the way to buy powder.

[big shrek]

Even with the same weight bullets, the powder charge may actually be two different types...
Winchester is likely using their favorite mix for 300WSM, while Federal is using theirs...
or if they are using the same powder...they might be using one grain different charge...

Heck, even different composition of bullets can make a difference...different alloys fire faster or slower...
Chrono's show that fairly quickly...

So many variables...

[SubZero]

I don't make my own, but I did buy 4 boxes each of Winchester Super X ammo.

.270 Win 130 Grain = 80 shots
.300 WSM 180 Grain = 80 shots

I'm going to sight-in both rifles using a front rest and sandbags provided by the range, and then set the remaining ammo aside, with a note that to myself indicating they were the same lot as the ammo used to sight-in and a date of purchase. That way, I figure I'll have a good chance of being accurate when I really need to be, not taking any chances.

Hope that works out for me. Lesson learned.