Phineas Bluster
09-29-2013, 12:25 AM
I recently obtained some .30 caliber jackets from New England Custom Bullets, Inc., one of our vendor/sponsors here at Cast Boolits.
Upon receipt, ten jackets were taken at random from the lot of one hundred received. These were numbered 1 through ten with a felt marker and weighed and measured. The results are contained in the table below:
83028
Wall thickness was measured with a vernier caliper as a ball micrometer was not on hand at the time. Concentricity was not checked for lack of a proper micrometer, however, I expect the concentricity to be good judging from the consistency of the other dimensions.
Wall thickness is greater than jackets previously used and will require I turn a new core seating punch of smaller diameter than I presently have on hand. I intend to make a flat base open point bullet with a six caliber tangent ogive in the 160 - 165 grain range and have figured that a punch of .268" diameter will be needed.
The "as delivered" diameter is just a bit too large (we're talking tenths) for my core seating die to be a slip fit. The jackets will be run through a ring die to reduce them for my core seating die. This is not a criticism of the jackets. I have run into this before with different lots of other makers jackets.
Now, I just need to find the time to make a new punch so I can swage up some bullets for testing.
You can PM bullet maker 57 at New England Custom Bullets, Inc. He is knowledgeable and quick to respond to questions. Delivery times are very good. I had my jackets a few days after I placed the order.
PB
Upon receipt, ten jackets were taken at random from the lot of one hundred received. These were numbered 1 through ten with a felt marker and weighed and measured. The results are contained in the table below:
83028
Wall thickness was measured with a vernier caliper as a ball micrometer was not on hand at the time. Concentricity was not checked for lack of a proper micrometer, however, I expect the concentricity to be good judging from the consistency of the other dimensions.
Wall thickness is greater than jackets previously used and will require I turn a new core seating punch of smaller diameter than I presently have on hand. I intend to make a flat base open point bullet with a six caliber tangent ogive in the 160 - 165 grain range and have figured that a punch of .268" diameter will be needed.
The "as delivered" diameter is just a bit too large (we're talking tenths) for my core seating die to be a slip fit. The jackets will be run through a ring die to reduce them for my core seating die. This is not a criticism of the jackets. I have run into this before with different lots of other makers jackets.
Now, I just need to find the time to make a new punch so I can swage up some bullets for testing.
You can PM bullet maker 57 at New England Custom Bullets, Inc. He is knowledgeable and quick to respond to questions. Delivery times are very good. I had my jackets a few days after I placed the order.
PB