Federal Trophy Copper .308: How to tell 150gr from 165gr Cartdrige?

Para Bellum · April 5, 2015, 01:23 PM

Hi Folks,

I have both 150gr and 165gr Federal Trophy Copper Ammunition in .308.

How can I tell, which is which once the cartriges are taken from the box? I asked Federal, they didn't respond.

Thanks and happy Easter,
PB

emcon5 · April 5, 2015, 01:26 PM

Have you considered using a scale?

eastbank · April 5, 2015, 02:54 PM

buy one of the small electric scales they run 30.00 and up. i have a frankford arsenal electric scale and i wouldn,t be with out it. it will do so many small jobs you will wonder what you did with out it. i zero mine with a nosler 165gr .30 cal bullet. you just zero the scale with a 150gr shell and will be about 15grs lighter than the 165 gr shells. eastbank.

Para Bellum · April 5, 2015, 04:08 PM

Is there no external visible distinction?

Palmetto-Pride · April 5, 2015, 04:37 PM

You could pull the bullets on all of them and see which is bigger.......lol

Fotheringill · April 6, 2015, 02:09 PM

Weight Watchers or similar scale.

Para Bellum · April 7, 2015, 11:52 AM

I just can't believe that the two cartridges absolutely look the same

Palmetto-Pride · April 7, 2015, 08:41 PM

Quote:

I just can't believe that the two cartridges absolutely look the same

That's because most bullets even of different weights are seated to the same depths so the OAL (over all length) is the same only difference is how much sticks into the case which obviously you can't see. I once made some rifle rounds same bullet different weights got them mixed up and had to weigh them to figure out which ones were which.

Snyper · April 8, 2015, 05:32 PM

Quote:

I just can't believe that the two cartridges absolutely look the same

Why would you ask if you didn't already know they look identical?

You said you have them both

Do you see a difference?

Art Eatman · April 8, 2015, 07:00 PM

Make a little balance deal, like a see-saw. Sure, you might get two of the same, but just keep "messing". Heavy cartridges in one pile, lighter ones in the other.

Para Bellum · April 29, 2015, 03:39 PM

Ok, Mama's digital scale does the trick.
:-( why can't they just make different colors for the pastic tips...

Doyle · April 29, 2015, 03:53 PM

Now that you've got them figured out, take a sharpie and write the weight on the side of the case.

Snyper · April 29, 2015, 04:41 PM

Quote:

:-( why can't they just make different colors for the pastic tips...

They do that for caliber designations but not for weight
Mark the brass like Doyle suggested if you think you will mix them up again

April 5, 2015, 01:23 PM	#1
Para Bellum Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Location: right there Posts: 1,882	Federal Trophy Copper .308: How to tell 150gr from 165gr Cartdrige? Hi Folks, I have both 150gr and 165gr Federal Trophy Copper Ammunition in .308. How can I tell, which is which once the cartriges are taken from the box? I asked Federal, they didn't respond. Thanks and happy Easter, PB __________________ Si vis pacem - para bellum If you want peace - prepare for war

April 5, 2015, 04:08 PM	#4
Para Bellum Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Location: right there Posts: 1,882	Is there no external visible distinction? __________________ Si vis pacem - para bellum If you want peace - prepare for war

April 5, 2015, 04:37 PM	#5
Palmetto-Pride Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,071	You could pull the bullets on all of them and see which is bigger.......lol __________________ “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” -Margaret Thatcher-

April 7, 2015, 11:52 AM	#7
Para Bellum Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Location: right there Posts: 1,882	I just can't believe that the two cartridges absolutely look the same __________________ Si vis pacem - para bellum If you want peace - prepare for war

April 29, 2015, 03:39 PM	#11
Para Bellum Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Location: right there Posts: 1,882	Ok, Mama's digital scale does the trick. :-( why can't they just make different colors for the pastic tips... __________________ Si vis pacem - para bellum If you want peace - prepare for war

April 5, 2015, 01:26 PM	#2
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	Have you considered using a scale?

April 5, 2015, 02:54 PM	#3
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	buy one of the small electric scales they run 30.00 and up. i have a frankford arsenal electric scale and i wouldn,t be with out it. it will do so many small jobs you will wonder what you did with out it. i zero mine with a nosler 165gr .30 cal bullet. you just zero the scale with a 150gr shell and will be about 15grs lighter than the 165 gr shells. eastbank.

April 6, 2015, 02:09 PM	#6
Fotheringill Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2014 Posts: 114	Weight Watchers or similar scale.

April 8, 2015, 07:00 PM	#10
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Make a little balance deal, like a see-saw. Sure, you might get two of the same, but just keep "messing". Heavy cartridges in one pile, lighter ones in the other.

April 29, 2015, 03:53 PM	#12
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Now that you've got them figured out, take a sharpie and write the weight on the side of the case.