Hornady V-Max OAL inconsistancy, .223 Rem

[1911 guy]

So I loaded up my go-to varmint round after work tonight, a 60gr. V-Max over 26gr of Varget. My rifle (a varmint barrel 1:9 AR) likes it loaded to 2.250", published Min OAL. Using Lee dies, single stage press.

I checked the first five rounds when seating bullets, all within .001". Checked every fifth for a while, stayed within .001". Got to the end of my run, grabbed the last round and it checked .015" under, OAL of 2.235". Found three more (total four) mixed with rounds that checked 2.250. No two in a row.

So now i check the rest of the bullets remaining in the box I had left, all checked within .001".

What gives? Do I just shoot them as range ammo because they're not max loads and not seriously short, or do i pull them and give it another go tomorrow? And what might cause this problem? Polymer insert inconsistency? Bullet variation forward of the ogive? Operator error somewhere?

Anybody else had this or have any good ideas?

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I doubt you'll notice any difference in accuracy and you aren't near max.

If you want to do an experiment, keep them separated. Next time you're at the range shoot 4 groups of 5 rounds and have one of the "oops" rounds loaded as the 3rd round in each group. See if it causes a flyer. Then do one group with "good" ammo of the same load and see if there's any difference in group sizes. I'd bet money that you won't see any difference. More than likely its just a small inconsistency in the bullet themselves, but you might mark the brass to see if those casings are losing neck tension and have the same issue the next time you load them.

 

[rcmodel]

Yea.

I have never noticed any variation in V-Max ogives to cause any measurable difference in seating depth.

Your seating die does not contact the polymer tip, only further back on the ogive.

I'd guess work hardened case necks on some of the cases like KansasSasquatch mentioned.

Some may be soft and others harder because they have been loaded more times.

rc

 

[1911 guy]

I know some have been loaded more times than others, I pitched a few due to either thin necks or split necks this time.

 

[spitballer]

I'm somewhat picky about OAL and will check with a hex gauge if I get more than a couple thousandths difference. If it's not just the plastic tip that's varying, it's almost always hard brass. The 60gr V-max is one of the more consistent bullets I've used, and I'd be surprised if they were to vary by as much as .015".