some bullet Weight Data

Being no day for range nor skiing (-21 chill factor 2:00 EST) I compared some bullet weights.   I ordered 500 HAP 115's and thought I'd compare them to my 1300+ Montana Gold 115 JHP stash.

I was sort of surprised by the weight distribution.  I'm not claiming any statistical significant difference because I'm too lazy to do a proper sample size but the results maybe point toward a difference.   I took 10 random samples of each batch and weighed them on an RCBS 5-0-5 then measured the length with digital calipers.

                                      HAP                                                   MG

Avg (gr)                              115.15                                              115.05

Range                            114.6 to 115.6                                  114.8 to 115.3

Duplicates                      2@115.1   2@115.4                           5@115.0   2@115.1    2@114.8

Length (in.)                           .540 to .543                                .556 to .557

The proof will be in the group sizes once the weather breaks.   I'm not anticipating any big difference but it's fun to look at how their flight compares.  I'll try one group of 10 with the MG COL .015" longer to keep the seating depth constant.   Wish I had a chrono.  What else do you do hell freezes over?

Whoops!   Change that 155.0 to 115.0.   Sorry.

What? Hell froze over?

Looks like Montana Gold have decent quality.  How do they shoot?  I'll be needing a boatload of 9mm bullets soon and they're on the list.

Weight difference is one thing but how do they fly ?

Clarence

In my 9 (1911), I prefer the HAP bullet.

What are HAPs?

davekp wrote:What are HAPs?

Hornady Action Pistol

Bruce

Fire Escape wrote:

davekp wrote:What are HAPs?

Hornady Action Pistol

Bruce

Hornady realized that a bullet fired at a paper or metal target does not have to expand and fragment on contact. They took their very successful XTP bullet and removed the expansion grooves making them less expensive to make (and purchase) and created a bullet that is very similar to Nosler and Zero bullets. Did I mention they also cost less?

Len  ( I also use the HAP's but I have some Magnus bullets coming to try out)

Wobbley, the MG 115 JHP's have given me some sub-inch groups at 25 yds on good days in my RO9.  That during 500 rounds of various load experiments.   I have no other data yet on JHP's except 100 Everglades 124 "competition style" JHP's which were before I optimized my recipes for the RO.   I only have 200 MG rounds through my new S&W 986 but I expect better performance than the RO once I optimize the load.  Thus far it appears the 986 likes BE-86 better than TG and nearer max loads than the RO. 

Clarence, I'll post the flight (minus velocity) data once I get a weather break (30+F) to do a range session with the RO.  Unfortunately my 986 was sent back to S&W for warranty work Friday.  I'm loading the MG and HAP rounds today.  5 shots each with 4 loads at 4 targets and repeat on same targets for 40 rounds total using 4.1 and 4.3 TG, COL for MG 1.135 and HAP 1.120 so seating depth remains constant.

Dave

You may want to slug the barrel on your 986. The 4 929 barrels we have checked are.357">.358" with a cylinder throat spec from S&W of .3575 + - .0005"

Tom

9146gt wrote:You may want to slug the barrel on your 986. The 4 929 barrels we have checked are.357">.358" with a cylinder throat spec from S&W of .3575 + - .0005"

Tom

I hope mine came from a different blank....I'll call S&W and ask them to measure the bore while it's in their shop.   Thanks for the tip.

Here are the bullet profiles, HAP on the left.   Notice the flutes in the Montana Gold nose; also the HAP base is flat and the MG base concave.   The range data is on the next reply because I've not figured out how to send more than one photo being the Luddite I am.    

Luddite I had the same problem until I figured out if I preview the picture I can go back and post a second picture or third etc. But only if I preview before each time I try to go back to another picture.

LudditeII

Here are the resulting data.  Not a very good range day but it is what it is.  Weather was cloudy, raw, light variable wind and 30F, the best day of the week temperature and precip-wise.  I took the first 5 shots at the upper left target and repeated in a clockwise sequence.   The second 5 rounds followed the same sequence.   A hit on the 4.3gr HAP target is not shown as it flew 4 1/4" @ 2:00.  I marked the 1st 5 on each target with a Sharpie to keep track of 2nd shot placements.

Not much to conclude here but I will do this again maybe next week when the weather may be more suitable for range work (not an excuse).  I'm definitely going to repeat it when my 986 returns from S&W, hopefully with a new barrel.