Ammo sorting test

[KDX]

Being someone who likes to find things out for myself, I decided to do some ammo sorting. I took 200 rounds of American Eagle 36gr HP and sorted it by rim thickness. I will chronograph this ammo in the spring once the snow is gone to see if there is a noticeable difference in velocity. I used the Raven Eye rimfire thickness gauge and a Baker dial indicator that measures to 0.0005". From what I've read, the variance in match grade ammo is no more than 0.001" in rim thickness. This ammo is pretty old so I hope that doesn't skew the results. I have a case of CCI Standard Velocity ordered and will test a couple hundred of those also.

First box of 50 sorted.

200 sorted.

With this old ammo the wax was dry and powdery, one box (probably newer ammo) wasn't so I put those in the bottom rows.

 

[fljp2002]

Dang, I tough I was a stats nut keeping track of all my groups by ammo type. Looking forward to see other brands and your shooting results

 

[Geoman]

Thanks for the source info KDX I had been considering getting something like this for a while and this will make it easier.
Cheers

 

[grauhanen]

Where did you find the gauge? It looks good.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Champions Choice used to sell a gauge which was a bar with a slot for the cartridge to hang through. The rim was measured with a slider of some kind. It made perfect sense.

Found it! https://forums.gunsandammo.com/discussion/5499/22-grouping-interesting-results-at-the-range-pic-heavy#

 

[KDX]

That would be the Neil Jones rimfire gauge.

 

[KDX]

Where did you find the gauge? It looks good.

Quality Cutting Tools.

 

[armorman]

Better check concentricity while you're at it! Ahhh, the lengths we all go through chasing accuracy! I got into rimfire because I thought it would be easy and fun not requiring any reloading dies, fancy measuring tools, or needing to check every silly dimension of my reloaded ammo. Looks like the rimfire gang isn't any different..... So ya, I have the rim thickness gauge and 22LR sorting blocks coming.... hahaha. Seriously though, I'm looking forward to your report on this!

 

[KDX]

There is a concentricity gauge I saw a video or article on, wasn't cheap if I remember right. Working on getting another type of tool made with a fellow member here. If it works, I'll be posting it.

 

[GreenBob]

Tagged

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Concentricity? You could use a run out gauge. I've seen a tool for checking bullet run out that has four ball bearing rollers, in two pairs. Put the round in the trough and roll it a few times. The tip of every bullet will wobble, but the worst ones get set aside.

Now, do you shoot the bad ones first or the best ones first?

 

[KDX]

The bad ones would be used for fouling shots.

 

[silverfoxdj]

Interesting, would like to see what you're conclusions are..after shooting

 

[KDX]

I sorted a few more boxes of ammo. CCI seems to be quite consistent. The variations on the rim thickness for the CCI Quiets was pretty bad, probably what the 'seconds' of primed brass are used for would be my guess.

The variations on the bottom right ones would be as much as .0020" when I was measuring them. I place a bullet in the measuring tool and slowly rotate the bullet to get the measurement.

These ones really surprised me. To be fair, I don't think that rim thickness is the end all be all as the powder charge and bullet concentricity also factor into it. I'm sure they will shoot very well. The variation in the bottom left ones was pretty consistent compared to the variation in the CCI Quiets. IE .0010-.0015. I should have wrote more than .0010 variation on the yellow sticky. Sorry for the confusion.