Do You Plunk Test???

[Ole Joe Clark]

Question: Do you plunk test???

When I do any rimless, tapered pistol shell, I plunk test every one of them. A plunk test is just dropping the loaded shell into a shell gage or the chamber of your pistol. I remove the barrel from my pistol and drop each shell into the chamber, if it will work you can hear the rim hit the end of the chamber, hence the name "plunk" test. If not you got problems with your taper crimp or possibly a bulge in the case that someone mentioned. When I started loading this type of cartridge I had the same problem you have, I added this operation and the problem went away.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[hanno]

I do it with a gage. I used to do every tenth round as a QC check, now I do every round. Doesn't take that long and I have the time.

 

[JeffG]

My hunting ammo, yes every round. My revolver ammo I will take random samples and plunk test.

 

[GBExpat]

Question: Do you plunk test???

Oh yeah.

 

[MFInc]

My first loads I did every round. Now about every 10. I also do it with brass as I have no gauge to make sure it's not bulged after sizing...

 

[FROGO207]

I seperate by headstamp. I plunk a random sample of each headstamp. If all OK then I'm happy with the rest. This has worked out well for decades. YMMV

 

[25-5]

After sizing rifle brass I check for rim and shoulder in a case gauge. Never, ever in forty years, have I plunked a pistol cartridge. Never, ever, had a problem.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Question: Do you plunk test???

When I do any rimless, tapered pistol shell, I plunk test every one of them. A plunk test is just dropping the loaded shell into a shell gage or the chamber of your pistol. I remove the barrel from my pistol and drop each shell into the chamber, if it will work you can hear the rim hit the end of the chamber, hence the name "plunk" test. If not you got problems with your taper crimp or possibly a bulge in the case that someone mentioned. When I started loading this type of cartridge I had the same problem you have, I added this operation and the problem went away.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

---
Yes. For 9mm, I use the barrel of my FEG "Hi-Power" clone. It is the most finicky of my 9mm's so if they plunk in it, they will plunk in all. For .45ACP and .380 I use a spare barrel known to be "tight." Again, if those plunk, they will plunk in anything else. I don't plunk revolver rounds. Rifle rounds I use a caliper and go strictly by the numbers, 10%'ing the lot.

 

[ericuda]

When developing a load with a new bullet yes. Once I find the oal I never plunk again. Whatever works for you though. I do measure every 10th or 23rd load with my calipers to assure uniform oal. Just realize that some lead round nose bullets have a slightly difft length but overall same profile.

 

[Hrbie22]

I will plunk test random rounds. Usually put the calipers on every 50th round or so to make sure dies had stayed put. A couple thousands either way and im happy with it.

 

[cfullgraf]

I do not plunk test for the most part except for when I'm setting up dies for a new or change in cartridge.

When I was competing in IHMSA handgun silhouette with a couple 357 Magnum guns, I'd checked those rounds as I't get a bulge in the crimp once in a while and the rounds would not chamber. Trimming the cases to a uniform length fixed that problem and case checking became unnecessary. Not really a big issue as the guns were hand fed and easy to determine if a round was out of spec before it became a function issue.

With plinking 38 Special wadcutter loads using mixed brass, I sometimes get a cartridge that will not chamber. It is usually a combination of a slightly oversize bullet and a case with thicker walls. I've learned not to force those in the chamber and then run them through a Lee FCD die when I get home. It's about the only useful reason I've found for a Lee FCD die. It happens so in frequently, it is a waste of time to check every cartridge.

When I was shooting Service Rifle competition, I bought a new match rifle. I stumbled into a chambering issue with cases fired in my old match rifle and my new match rifle. All cases gauged fine in my Wilson and Dillon case gauges. It turns out, these case gauges are cut generously in the body dimension and only check case length and neck position. I encountered a build up of tolerances between the two chambers and my full length sizing die where cases fired in the old gun would not chamber in the new gun. A different full sizing die corrected the issue but I went a stepped farther and use a small base die. I found no need to test every cartridge after finding a correction.

What I have learned is with competition ammunition, I use cases that I know the history of and set up my reloading system to make properly sized ammunition. Yes, I do a few quality control checks, but they are few and far between and are just to make sure my process is in control.

But, as I say, never underestimate the value of the psych factor. If you feel better about your ammunition, you will shoot better.
So, plunk test away if you feel the need.

 

[bullseye308]

I use the tightest barrel i have and check a few in it as I’m setting up the dies or if I change bullet profiles. Once everything is good I check a couple every 10-20 as I’m loading. If my Range Officer will feed it, everything else will eat it easily. I load for 6 different 9mm’s and the Range Officer is definitely the tightest chamber of them all. I only have one 38 and one 357 so those dies stay setup as I only load one load for each. 223 is the same, once dialed in and proven, the dies don’t get touched and I will still plunk a couple now and again just for the peace of mind. Both 223’s have specific dies setup for each one as one is a semi and one is a bolt.

 

[Starter52]

Not after I get the dies all set up and locked in, unless I get one that doesn't "feel right" when seating the bullet.

Then I will check it with a drop-in gauge.

 

[gifbohane]

I test plonk every round. Call it being careful or OCD, but every one.

 

[ciwsguy]

I now check every cartridge I reload or initial load into virgin brass.
Why you may wonder?
During a shooting session of .223 reloads in an AR15, I experienced a jam when chambering a reloaded round. Managed to extract it with a hammer, took the lot home and found the one that jammed and two others that would not chamber into the chamber gauge. The case head was sitting proud of the gauge by about 1/16 inch. It should sit flush.
So after that I started checking every round I made, regardless of caliber. It doesn’t take that long since I only have a single stage press. It also provides an opportunity to more closely examine my hand loads/reloads for issues that could impede safe shooting.

 

[NVcharlie]

i rollsize, hundo guage test then call it good.

 

[Jim Watson]

I gauge pistol ammo 100% because I do not load separate match and practice ammo, it is all the same in the same bin.

I was considering a moon clip checker because ammo and component supplies will lead me to shoot a lot of IDPA Rev E come Spring. Of course you don't have to take a revolver apart to do a chamber check but I am reluctant to be repeatedly loading my gun at the bench.

 

[crestoncowboy]

IF I were loading SD ammo I would but I don't load my SD ammo. I load most pistol rounds on a progressive. I check OAL occasionally at random. Just grab a couple when I fill up my bullet tubes or primer tray. I shoot steel with Glock/Sig/and HK. I load the same for all three and they run fine. For my 10mm hunting rounds I do not plunk once I'm set up. Still never had an issue.

 

[AJC1]

I only plunk pistol when testing a new bullet. My rifle brass gets measured a lot and goes in a case guage. Many more critical dimensions on a bottle neck case.

 

[CDP45]

I chamber check with a gauge all handgun ammo. If I change bullet profiles then I will plunk test with the barrel. 223 I case gauge. All hunting rounds I check before going in the field.

 

[Average Joe]

Only when I get a new projectile, get my first measurements , and off to the press....

 

[reloaded_in_pa]

I plunk every semi auto load, it's part of my inspection process. Anything I load for the revolvers doesn't get it.

 

[loadedround]

I own about 10 of the Lyman Headspace Gauges. I use one every time I set up for a new batch of cases or a new bullet. Especailly use the gauge for .223 (5.56) reloading scrouged cases.

 

[carbine85]

I separate the cases and do random samples with a case gauge.

 

[BreechFace]

100 round cartridge gauge for 9mm, inspect, then flip it over into an MTM case it's designed to fit and call it good.