Has anyone experienced a wide variation in cartridge OAL using Winchester .224 FMJ-BT

[Bruce H.]

I am relatively new to handloading rifle ammunition. I have actually only loaded three different batches so far. I have an RCBS Partner Press, use RCBS dies, Federal brass trimmed to 1.750", Hodgdon Varget powder and Winchester Small Rifle Primers. The first two batches or lots that I loaded I used Hornady .224 FMJ-BT bullets. Once I had my die set properly, the overally length variation for the first batch was 0.009". The variation in the overall length for the second batch was 0.005". For the third batch I used Winchester .224 FMJ-BT bullets with all of the other components being the same. Once I had the die set properly, the overall cartridge length variation for this batch with Winchester bullets was 0.020". Has anyone experience more overall length variation using Winchester .224 bullets compared to other brands or is it just me and something I am doing wrong?

 

[Jim Watson]

The Winchesters were cheaper, right?
Probably bullets off more than one machine with nose shapes not held as near the same as Hornady can afford to. I would not worry about it as long as they shoot well enough to suit you.

 

[spencerhut]

I would not worry about it as long as they shoot well enough to suit you.

+1

 

[rcmodel]

Yep!
It's par for the course with cheap bulk FMJ mil-spec bullets from all the manufactures.

And that mil-spec may be why we get the rejects for sporting use!


rcmodel

 

[rbernie]

I had this with the Winchester 55gr FMJ .224 bullets and their 115gr FMJ .277 bullets. Disappointing, but they shoot OK at the range.

 

[JonB]

I just loaded 150 or so .223 using Winchester bulk 55 gr FMJBT and OAL was all over the place. So based on feedback from this forum I just used the cannelure and called it good.

At first I thought I was doing something wrong, but I couldn't figure out what 'adjustment' was off. Then I noticed some of the bullets are more pointed than others hence the different in seating depth.

 

[30Cal]

Even match bullets vary quite a bit. It just doesn't matter.

 

[556nato]

I just loaded about 1000 of the winchesters. I noticed the same thing a while back, but they've been shooting just fine. Actually, I've had some really good groups with em. I don't bother changing my seating depth, I just check any that look long to make sure they aren't over the max.