Diameter of 223 bullet

[Vloc1987]

I have kind of a question that will probably seem dumb to many of you experienced reloaders here. I have been getting ready to do my first batch of .223 rounds of ammunition. I know that typically .223 rounds are .224 in diameter. I purchased a box of hornady 22 cal vmax 60 grain bullets from hornady that state they are .224 in diameter. I was just measuring stuff like I normally do and found that most all the rounds are .223 in diameter at their widest. Is this normal because everywhere I look I’m told that the bullets diameter is .224? Am I still okay to load these? Thanks for the help.

 

[entropy]

OCD much? They're fine. Don't ever think about loading .38 Colt.

 

[DocRock]

.224 nominal. .223 is within spec

 

[Swampman]

First off, welcome to THR!

It never hurts to check a new batch of bullets, better to be over cautious than too trusting!

As already noted, the bullets are within SAAMI specs, but that encompasses anything between .2215" and .2245".

Obviously "within spec" doesn't equate to "optimal", or even acceptable.

What were you using to measure them?

 

[Walkalong]

V-Max bullets usually measure right on .224 (Just checked some in an open box, and they are .224), your calipers could be off .001 in that range. Have an way to check them? Other bullets measure what they should?

Welcome to THR

 

[AJC1]

The best way to increase your knowledge is to find the specification. Once you do safe a link and similar questions in the future will be easily referenced. No one here will mislead you but having the source is better. If I had the link you needed I would post it.

 

[AK Hunter]

Welcome to the forum.
If you are pushing too hard on your calipers it will spring the jaws to allow you to see .001" smaller or more, or the could just be off.

 

[FROGO207]

Another thing when buying .22 caliber bullets is there are some 22 Hornet 35 - 40 grain bullets that are .223 diameter for older guns. Also the Hornet specific .224 bullets have thinner jackets so they will expand at lower velocities. So be sure they are not Hornet specific when buying them for other faster calibers.

 

[Nature Boy]

OCD much?

Aren't we all? I thought that was a prerequisite for this hobby.

 

[longdayjake]

Do you have a pin gauge or gauge block that you can test your calipers on? Being in the bullet business I can't tell you how many times someone has said our bullets were undersized but when we bring them back they all measure out just fine. I have 11 different sets of calipers. Of those eleven theres probably 6 that measure perfect and 3 that are within half a thou and 2 that are off by a whole thousandth. We have 6 different micrometers that we can use to really test diameters, but each one is just a little bit different. Close enough, but different.