In his book, "The Ultimate Sniper", Plaster says that one should use match ammo only and try to use only ammo from the same lot. In checking the boxes of Federal Gold Match ammo (.308) I have purchased, I notice that there is a 10-digit number stamped on the back of the box or (in another group) on the inside flap of the box. Is that the lot number? Also, how important do all of you feel it is to have ammo from the same lot for this type of precision shooting? Thanks.
Ammo lot #'s
- Thread starter Prof
- Start date
John Marshall
New member
I personally don't even think about it. Unless you were to stock up, all at once, with a lifetime supply, I doubt if you could manage to stay within one lot of any manufacturer's ammunition. Of course that opinion is based on very little information like: how many rounds are made in one lot run?; does one lot tend to be shipped to a particular area of the country or to one distributor?; how many sales outlets does one distributor sell to?; well, you get the idea.
Without ever having checked lot numbers, all the Fed. 168gr GMM rounds I have fired through my M1A have performed as well as I could shoot and have grouped essentially the same,variables of wind and weather aside, every time.
Perhaps someone who has been around the block a few more times could provide a better answer.
Without ever having checked lot numbers, all the Fed. 168gr GMM rounds I have fired through my M1A have performed as well as I could shoot and have grouped essentially the same,variables of wind and weather aside, every time.
Perhaps someone who has been around the block a few more times could provide a better answer.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
It is possible that there will be some minute difference between production runs (Lots). What difference there is will most likely be in the powder--it may be from a different production run.
So, you sight in and compete or snipe with ammo from one particular lot. If you replenish your supply from a different lot, you check your sight-in, adjust as necessary, and go back to work.
And that's about all there is to it.
FWIW, Art
So, you sight in and compete or snipe with ammo from one particular lot. If you replenish your supply from a different lot, you check your sight-in, adjust as necessary, and go back to work.
And that's about all there is to it.
FWIW, Art
TritonCartridge
New member
Having some experience in lot numbers.....
Different lots mean a few things depending on the amount of ammo run...
Different lots of cases*,
Different lots of powder*,
Different lots primers*,
Different lots bullets*.
* and we are talking different lots of raw components to make these components!
Put all those components together and add up the minute differences on each of these! These small veriables add up to a cartridge that does not hit exactly where you are zeroed to. Does this make a difference? Not at short distance but when you are talking maga distance it will have an effect.
[Edited by TritonCartridge on 01-20-2001 at 11:15 AM]
Different lots mean a few things depending on the amount of ammo run...
Different lots of cases*,
Different lots of powder*,
Different lots primers*,
Different lots bullets*.
* and we are talking different lots of raw components to make these components!
Put all those components together and add up the minute differences on each of these! These small veriables add up to a cartridge that does not hit exactly where you are zeroed to. Does this make a difference? Not at short distance but when you are talking maga distance it will have an effect.
[Edited by TritonCartridge on 01-20-2001 at 11:15 AM]
Thanks for the information, gentlemen. If I understand correctly, there are differences between lots: minute but important differences at long ranges. However, since as John points out, I won't always be able to shoot ammo from the same lot, I will have to re-zero with each new lot as Art noted. Thanks for explaining the specifics, Triton.
Prof,
You may or may not have to rezero depending on the range you are zeroed for and how far you are shooting.
I use my precision rifle for deer hunting and each year when I buy new ammo for that season I recheck my zero. Zero is at 200 yards and I have yet had to change the zero to match the new ammo as the difference was so small that even a 300 yard shot would still put the bullet into my predesignated kill zone (MOA group).
I'm sure if I were zeroing for something like 600 yards or > changes would have to be made.
Also, if I'm going for small group I'll check my zero btwn lots and usually adjust the zero.
It really all depends on the application and results you are looking for wheather or not you should rezero. Sometimes it is needed sometimes it is not. IMO of course.
You may or may not have to rezero depending on the range you are zeroed for and how far you are shooting.
I use my precision rifle for deer hunting and each year when I buy new ammo for that season I recheck my zero. Zero is at 200 yards and I have yet had to change the zero to match the new ammo as the difference was so small that even a 300 yard shot would still put the bullet into my predesignated kill zone (MOA group).
I'm sure if I were zeroing for something like 600 yards or > changes would have to be made.
Also, if I'm going for small group I'll check my zero btwn lots and usually adjust the zero.
It really all depends on the application and results you are looking for wheather or not you should rezero. Sometimes it is needed sometimes it is not. IMO of course.
Years ago here in South Louisiana there was a local chain of department stores that every now and then would sell sprotoing things at amazing prices. I found a fine Shakespear graphite spinning rod for $3.95 out of a barrel of fine rods at amazing prices. Well, one day I went in the store and they had a big ad saying Remington 25-06 and Remington 7MM-08 $2.95 a box! I bought 13 boxes I think it was of the 25-06 it was 120 Grain PSPCL. THREE different lot numbers out of the 13 boxes. I never broke any down but it did not matter how you shot them ....... mix and match or same lot they all brouped the same. The empty brass all weighed the same too so I never even bothered to segregate them. Some other ammo at times will shoot differently from lot to lot.