Bullet weight variance

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parashot

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I recently bought a box of aim 230gr. 45 ball plated projectiles. In weighing the bullets I found a large variance in weights with no 2 bullets weighing the same. Weight range was 223.3 - 230.4 a 7.1 gr difference. Does anyone know if this is common to this manufacturer or did I just get a bad box.
 
It's not unusual for non-match bullets to vary in weight. Plated bullets are just plated cast bullets. Match bullets they ain't. Mind you, 7 grains is a bit much.
 
Checked another box of aim bullets and they went up to 10 grain variance. 219.7 to 229.8 The QC department must have went on vacation.
 
parashot said:
I recently bought a box of aim 230gr. 45 ball plated projectiles. In weighing the bullets I found a large variance in weights with no 2 bullets weighing the same. Weight range was 223.3 - 230.4 a 7.1 gr difference. Does anyone know if this is common to this manufacturer or did I just get a bad box.
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Just to point out, this is a Discussion & Alerts forum is a sub forum under Firearms Politics Forums. This posted topic is not political so it probably should have been posted under Feeding the PIGS - Reloading.
 
Large weight variances in cast bullets are usually caused by inconsistent alloying where varying amounts of tin, antimony, etc. are mixed with lead causing weight differences. These differences are also common when using wheelweights, which are all over the map, in their composition. 7-10 grains seems like alot but probably won't hurt accuracy at normal handgun ranges. On our match quality cast bullets we hold weight variation to .2 of a grain, easier to do with the .30 cal. benchrest bullets then 535gr. BPCR bullets.
 
Pick out a few of the heaviest bullets, and a few of the lightest ones. Load them up and set them aside. Shoot them at the range, under the very best conditions available to you. Most likely they'll all (heaviest and lightest) go into the same group.

Once you've verified this, go ahead and load your bullets, without concern that you are hurting your accuracy.
 
parashot said:
I recently bought a box of aim 230gr. 45 ball plated projectiles. In weighing the bullets I found a large variance in weights with no 2 bullets weighing the same. Weight range was 223.3 - 230.4 a 7.1 gr difference. Does anyone know if this is common to this manufacturer or did I just get a bad box.
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Send an email or PM to AIM. They are always looking for feedback on their products.
 
As a casual observation, I notice the variances don't seem to carry much above the nominal weight. Using 3%, a 236.9 gr bullet could be dangerous no ?
 
HKMark23 said:
As a casual observation, I notice the variances don't seem to carry much above the nominal weight. Using 3%, a 236.9 gr bullet could be dangerous no ?
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The answer to that question is NO.
What kind of a pistol do you think you have that a tiny bit of (maybe) extra pressure is going to blow it up, or make things dangerous?
Are you now loading so high that a couple of pounds extra pressure is dangerous?
Come on, think things out!
Howver, I don't know what company makes bullets that vary by 3%.
The figure of .3% is about right with factory hunting bullets.
 
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I would only worry about this weight variance if you are going to use them for NRA Bullseye, as the accuracy requirement at 50 yards is pretty high. For what most people use their .45, at much shorter ranges, I doubt if you would notice.
 
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