What does it mean when someone says, 'They Buff Their Bullets?'
Thank you The Huntress.
Answer:
Accuracy depends a lot on a 'Bullet' holding its shape.
This concept arose from when lead bullets were cast by hand either for musket style balls or bullets hand loaded for cartridges.
Buffing or Sanding the Bullet part of a Cartridge supposedly removes any burrs or imperfections. A smooth round helps a bullet hold its shape. Hollywood depicts snipers as sanding their bullets or bullet tips, for the most part this is a myth. The real fact is if it does anything it reduces the weight of the bullet.
For accuracy it is more important to load your magazine with ammo from the same manufacturer and lot number. Some snipers and hunters will weigh bullets to get them all close to the same weight.
Filing a Bullet is when you take a Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) or Round Nose Solid Lead bullet and file it flat. Some people believe this creates what is referred to as a Dum-dum Bullet (a bullet that flattens upon impact). That is a total myth and filing the bullet decreases accuracy. This is also referred to as Bullet Trimming. In todays modern shooting world manufacturers use bullet physics and create either Hollow Points (mostly used for self-defense); or Soft Pointed Round Nose Bullets (mostly used for hunting).
If you are still one of those who are bent on sanding or buffing your bullets make sure you remove any filings by wiping the entire cartridge so no lose particles end up in you bore or rifle barrel.
A homemade video is provided to demonstrate how to Buff (sand) a Bullet correctly, but I do NOT endorse the practice or do I ever use buffed bullets.
Buffing a Bullet:
Needed -
1) Emery Cloth, fine course sandpaper, use the 800 Grit 4/0 Mesh (see chart)
2) Scissors
3) Loaded Cartridge
Instructions -
1) Cut Fine Emery paper into a strip the size of the bullet.
2) Run paper around Bullet Nose only a few times, see video.
3) Wipe Bullet Nose off.
4) Warning: Do NOT Buff (sand) the Shell Casing or Primer, this will damage the cartridge.
Emery Paper Grades:
Standard FMJ Rifle Cartridge:
Homemade Video: Showing How to Buff (sand) the Bullet Nose of a FMJ Cartridge ....
People do all sorts of crazy things to there Ammo, here is a partial list that I have come across over many years of shooting, I don't suggest that you do any of these:
- Waxing Bullets
- Rubbing the Bullet with Pigs Fat
- Engraving the Shell Casing
- Coloring the Bullet or Bullet Head (point) with Paint or Fingernail Polish
- Rubbing the Bullet with a Poison (such as a pesticide)
- Carving an 'X' in the top of the bullet
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Attention Firearm and Ammunition (ammo) Manufacturers, and Makers of Firearm Accessories. I am now Testing Products and issuing reviews on the Firearms Forum (Ask A Firearms Question) site.
If you want your Product TESTED, Reviewed, and Posted here, please contact me.