Barrel Drop Test

[beltjones]

I keep seeing this test mentioned, but I can't find a description. Presumably it's to tell if your bullet is contacting the rifling of your barrel, but I can't tell how one would know for sure. Any help?

[splitime]

I am curious also about this.

I was testing OALs last night and was starting at what I thought was to long, 1.2" (M&P Pro), and they came back out after chambering at 1.2".

I do think that the barrel drop test is more for chambering fitment, something you can use a case gauge also for. I think what I was doing is more related to your mention of rifling/setback testing.

[dagger10k]

Whoops...

Edited February 24, 2012 by dagger10k

[dagger10k]

Just drop it in the barrel. It should go just as far as a normal resized case would. If it sticks too far out, or sticks in, thats a problem.

If you are checking for rifling contact you can drop it in and try turning it. If it hits the rifling you'll know... try loading way too long and see how it feels. The rifling will catch the bullet.

[Hi-Power Jack]

I started at what I thought was to long, 1.2" (M&P Pro), and they came back out after chambering

I do think that the barrel drop test is more for chambering fitment, something you can use a case gauge also for. I think what I was doing is more related to your mention of rifling/setback testing.

The barrel drop test will tell you if your reloaded rounds will

chamber in your barrel, easily.

That way you don't have a failure during a match.

Your round may not chamber properly if the round is too long, or

if the brass has not been resized sufficiently ...

Either way, it's much better to find that out before the match.

I also look for primers that are not seated properly ...

I take all those rounds and use them for practice.

Jack

[gng4life]

There is also a certain sound, hard to describe, like ker-plunk, that it will make once it headspaces. If it doesn't make that sound when dropped, look at your OAL for signs of it being too long. Also could be from brass that is bulged/out-of-shape or oversized bullet.

[kevin c]

There is also a certain sound, hard to describe, like ker-plunk, that it will make once it headspaces..

Sort of a clean, metallic *tink* as the case mouth strikes the front lip of the chamber.

It won't happen if you've over crimped the round so the case mouth is rolled into the bullet, or if the round is too long. Either way, the round sort of slides or jams itself to a stop, either as the case mouth or the bullet ogive wedges itself into the restricted space at the edge of the leade or at the rifling respectively. The sound made is more "muffled".

Or at least that's the way it sounds to me

Edited February 25, 2012 by kevin c

[Sarge]

There is also a certain sound, hard to describe, like ker-plunk, that it will make once it headspaces. If it doesn't make that sound when dropped, look at your OAL for signs of it being too long. Also could be from brass that is bulged/out-of-shape or oversized bullet.

Exactly! I describe it as a ker plop actually. Tilt the barrel and it should fall right out. There will be no doubt when one is not right.

What i like to do is use the chamber when developing the load to make sure I don't try anything too long. Then I use a gauge and when I find the odd round that won't pass the gauge test I try it in the barrel. If it falls in and falls out with ease I know the gauge is good enough from then on. Over time my goal is to know that everything that passes the gauge will fit the barrel so I don't have to take the gun apart all the time.

[Mike_P]

I didn't read over everyones replies in depth, but didn't see anyone mention it. Make sure you load up a few magazines along with doing the barrel drop test. What may fit in your barrel may not feed reliably from your magazines. (I know it's an issue in Glocks.)

[Alan550]

Barrel-drop all your match ammo, and do it with a dirty barrel! Chamber gauges are fine , but don't take into account the fact that the barrel gets fouled as the match progresses, and that can lead to failures to chamber. Someone more experienced at this game once asked "how many rounds have you fired through your case gauge?", so I went with the barrel-drop routine after that with no misfeed problems ever.

Alan~^~

[BlueOvalBruin]

There’s a particular procedure to follow for the barrel drop test. First thing put the round of ammo in the chamber, then drop the barrel onto a concrete floor. If the round still looks good afterwards it has passed the barrel drop test. Make sure to point the muzzle down during the test so the crown can absorb the impact. For match ammo you’ll need to drop the barrel from 15 feet. Remember the barrel should not be in the gun because each gun’s aerodynamics are different and will skew the results.

[Sarge]

There's a particular procedure to follow for the barrel drop test. First thing put the round of ammo in the chamber, then drop the barrel onto a concrete floor. If the round still looks good afterwards it has passed the barrel drop test. Make sure to point the muzzle down during the test so the crown can absorb the impact. For match ammo you'll need to drop the barrel from 15 feet. Remember the barrel should not be in the gun because each gun's aerodynamics are different and will skew the results.

Let's try to remember that somebody is probably reading this and heading out to the garage to try it.

[gng4life]

There's a particular procedure to follow for the barrel drop test. First thing put the round of ammo in the chamber, then drop the barrel onto a concrete floor. If the round still looks good afterwards it has passed the barrel drop test. Make sure to point the muzzle down during the test so the crown can absorb the impact. For match ammo you'll need to drop the barrel from 15 feet. Remember the barrel should not be in the gun because each gun's aerodynamics are different and will skew the results.

Let's try to remember that somebody is probably reading this and heading out to the garage to try it.

That is pretty funny but you are right Top, someone is going to try this. I am getting the popcorn ready for the "show"

[shooter57]

I use the case guage,my xd will load rounds my springfield loaded target won't. If it drops in the case guage it will fit all my 9's. I found this out before the case guage as I used the xd barrel for the drop test.