bullet weight variation

[tgrif]

What is an acceptable weight variation in cast bullets? I was given some .357 158gr SWC GC and the weights vary from 155.9 to 165.4. If this is acceptable, what load data would I use?

[cbrick]

Welcome to CastBoolits tgrif,

Acceptable for what? Short range pistol plinking? Long range rifle?

In a round number that's a 10% variation in weight. Load data could also depend on what your shooting and a 10% weight variation wouldn't be good for accuracy.

A little more info is needed to get you answers.

Rick

[williamwaco]

I normally say weighing handgun bullets is a waste of time.
I normally see a variation of no more than 3 grains extreme spread.
I suspect these were cast at different times from significantly different alloys.

Are you sure these are all cast in the same mold?

I personally would melt them and recast them.

Since this is your first post, I am going to assume you are not yet a caster.

Assuming they are all the same mold, and all are completely filled out, and you are not yet a caster,
I would divide those into two groups 160 and under and over 160.

Since you have no idea of the alloy, don't load these HOT.

[runfiverun]

just use 158 gr boolit data.

when first starting out weighing your results will let you know something.
i'd bet that something is a progression of mold/alloy temp throughout a casting session.
it is good to understand what is happening.
you also start understanding why some use a hot plate for their molds,count time, watch the sprue, open the mold by hand, use a thermometer,and all the other stuff we do.

[bruce381]

ounce I weighted some of my 200 gr SWC from cold to hot mold they varied about 1% then hot <.5%

[45-70 Chevroner]

tgrif! Where have you been for almost 5 years did you get lost? Just kidding. [smilie=s: That is a pretty big difference. I would do as williamwaco suggested, or just re-melt them and cast up some fresh ones.

[soldierbilly1]

tgrif: when you weighed them, were they greased? with the gas checks?
bill boy