How Do You Sort Pulls?

[sparkyv]

I've got a package of 1,500 .40 pulled bullets inbound. They're a mix of 165gr and 180gr. I figure I'd sort them by weight using a small digital scale, but wondered if sorting by OAL using calipers as a go/no-go gauge would work better. I want to make this very manual process as quick and painless as possible, but have to be sure of 100% proper segregation. What works best for you?

 

[Pottimus]

I feel like there will be a slight size/length difference for initial sorting that you will learn to feel, perhaps the heavier ones will roll to the bottom of a flat box faster? Then at some point you will still feel more comfortable weighing the hand segregated ones before loading.

 

[LiveLife]

pulled bullets ... have to be sure of 100% proper segregation.

I have sorted through several tens of thousands of mixed pulled bullets and found if they are mixed manufacture, using a scale is the only way to really verify weights.

 

[jmorris]

I have been given pulls from a friend that works for a mfg. the reason they pulled them and didn’t reuse them is potential accuracy was ruined the first time they were loaded, when they were swaged down.

Like these.



The way I sort them is to melt them down and cast decent bullets from the lead.

If I had a bunch that could still be useful I’d probably finish my weight sorting machine.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I have been given pulls from a friend that works for a mfg. the reason they pulled them and didn’t reuse them is potential accuracy was ruined the first time they were loaded, when they were swaged down.

Like these.

View attachment 1136446

The way I sort them is to melt them down and cast decent bullets from the lead.

If I had a bunch that could still be useful I’d probably finish my weight sorting machine.

Well this is disappointing—I was expecting you’d invented a machine that would sort by size, quality AND aesthetic value while making a plate of nachos.

 

[jmorris]

Well this is disappointing—I was expecting you’d invented a machine that would sort by size, quality AND aesthetic value while making a plate of nachos.

I had those, they grew up.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

This may work, and work quickly and reliably... if they are all from the same bullet maker and of similar construction. That said, bullets of different weights will almost certainly be of different lengths: Set up a horizontal bar or barrier of some sort, and slide each bullet under that while sitting on its base. Light bullets will pass under and the heavier ones won't fit.

 

[rperyam]

I’ve done it both ways in the past. Setting them up and looking or feeling the difference in length seems slower to me than getting a good rhythm going and weighing them on a small electronic scale.

 

[Varminterror]

perhaps the heavier ones will roll to the bottom of a flat box faster?

Gravity doesn’t work like that.

 

[Ironicaintit]

A scale works well and is pretty fast. But what's even faster is to set a dial caliper too short for the heavies, but will let the lighter ones pass.

that is of course, if the bullets are the same make and model

 

[Varminterror]

When it comes to manual sorting, the reality exists that you’re touching every single one of them - weight sorting and concurrent visual class sorting is the most conclusive single pass process.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Gravity doesn’t work like that.

Agree, with comment. Gravity alone does work like that but gravity isn’t working alone in a box of shifting bullets—the Brazilian nut effect is one example where larger/heavier objects could go to top vs. bottom. There are other examples.

 

[mdi]

I think the easiest/fastest method would be to weight them. Pick up a bullet once, put it on a scale and brush it off. Measuring would take two hands, one holding the bullet and one holding the gauge or calipers. Also, there's only one way to eat an elephant, that's one bite at a time. I would probably weigh 100 or so at a time (as many as it remains fun). If I were to see 1,500 bullets needing to be sorted, I just might put it off till next week, next month, next year, ad infinatum...

 

[Rule3]

I would think you HAVE to weigh each and every one.

No need to kill yourself doing it, Do 100 a day or something.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I think the easiest/fastest method would be to weight them. Pick up a bullet once, put it on a scale and brush it off. Measuring would take two hands, one holding the bullet and one holding the gauge or calipers. Also, there's only one way to eat an elephant, that's one bite at a time. I would probably weigh 100 or so at a time (as many as it remains fun). If I were to see 1,500 bullets needing to be sorted, I just might put it off till next week, next month, next year, ad infinatum...

Drag it out too long and that elephant will start to stink pretty bad.

 

[Random 8]

I think an avoirdupois scale will be faster. Set it for the target weight of the lighter bullet. The heavies will quickly bottom the scale with no digital lag. This is if you KNOW you have 2 weights +/- a grain or so. If there is the possibility of more than one heavy, you will have to second pass the heavy bullets to confirm target weight. I see no method to separate them at 100% reliability without scaling AND visually comparing each and every bullet unless you KNOW you have exactly 2 types/weights and there is a significant visual difference between the 2.

If there is a significant difference in length, you could possibly roll and square a significant quantity on a tray against a straight edge, and compare lengths with a second edge such as a ruler.

 

[jmorris]

I bet this would do it. Sorts by height, short ones would drop into a different hole than longer ones.



Would feed it with one of these.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

If you want to double your speed, use two scales (you have two hands and two eyes, right?)

 

[JFrank]

If a fella isn’t willing to put in a bit of effort to save money he probably would not buy pulled bullets in the first place.

 

[CQB45ACP]

If a fella isn’t willing to put in a bit of effort to save money he probably would not buy pulled bullets in the first place.

Badda boom!

 

[FROGO207]

Like mdi I would weigh them. Being right handed I would set the pick box on the left and use my left hand to place a bullet on the digital scale. Then look for a second bullet while scale settles. Read scale and pick off with right hand and place in size appropriate container while placing new bullet on scale with left hand. Repeat. Have done this in the past and it goes rather quickly once a rhythm is established. Mark the containers you are putting bullets into with a big label so you do not drop them in wrong bin though. This CAN happen otherwise LOL.

 

[DukeConnor]

The one and only time I bought mixed bullets there were probably 20 different manufacturers mixed in. Multiple weights shapes and lengths. It was a royal pain. Never again.

 

[Atavar]

Gravity doesn’t work like that.

Actually, it sort of does. If you want to experiment throw a layer of beans and a layer of peas in a glass and mix them up. Shake the glass gently and they will tend to sort themselves.

 

[troy fairweather]

All things fall at the same rate no matter the weight, air resistance will affect fall. They dropped a feather and a hammer on the moon and they hit the ground at the same time.

Maybe the bullets will look different enough to sort, I would try using a loading block like ones to hold brass, the heavier ones may stick up higher to sort it not a scale is the sure way.

 

[Varminterror]

Actually, it sort of does. If you want to experiment throw a layer of beans and a layer of peas in a glass and mix them up. Shake the glass gently and they will tend to sort themselves.

Density and weight are not the same thing.