Inconsistant factory ammo?

[WebHobbit]

Anyone else notice an increase in inconsistantly loaded factory ammo?

Like today for instantce I was shooting some Remington 125 grain Golden Saber .357 Magnums and it was kind a like this:

1) boom
2) boom
3) boom
4) BOOOOM!
5) boom
6) boom

The rest were very consistant recoil and noise wise but that one was much harsher.

I've noticed this with a couple of other boxes too and also with some Federal stuff.

Seems like expensive factory stuff used to be pretty solid.

edit:typos

 

[Standing Wolf]

I don't shoot enough factory center fire ammunition to tell for sure, but have noticed lots of variation in many companies' .22 rim fire ammunition. C.C.I. Green Tag and standard velocity seem to be the least inconsistent.

 

[mec]

ditto that on cci rimfires and ad the mini-mags. Some rounds produce different sounds but are actually pretty consistent. These would be the trans-sonic ones. Below 1120 fps or so, they go "Bang" a few feet per second past mach 1 and they go "Crash."

 

[Drifting Fate]

Never had the situation you are describing. But, I've had a few friends run factory carry ammo through chronographs and get some large spreads - don't remember the exact figures but 50-75fps wasn't unheard of.

I have experienced great inconsistancy on the flash-supressants, especially with .357s (different brands.) Nothing to get truly bothered about, but it's there all the same.

 

[zeke]

Have chronoed Rem 125 Golden Sabers , the mid range 357 and 38 plus p versions. For each cylinder full, there was usually one round that had significantly less velocity (remembering about 2-300 fps less) and one serious flyer. The other 4 or 5 were accurate and consistent.

Also chronoed earlier lots of their old loading mof their 185 gn plus p loadings, which had very inconsistent velocitys, although on the higher velocity side. Once checked a round after chambering it, it had set back significantly. This experience got me initiative to get started in handloading.

Remington brass is thinner, harder and less consistent lengths (opinion), and the loads tried all needed more case neck tension/and or harder crimp.

It seems now adays, ya gotta pay a lot more for the quality hp rounds, but they are usually worth it (Win or various Fed).

 

[stans]

It has happened to me with factory ammo. Usually, factory ammo is very consistent, but occasionally there is the odd cartridge that is either way light or quite a bit hotter than the others.

 

[10-Ring]

Don't recall exactly what it was, but a buddy was shooting some 357's when we noticed some of the rounds were a lot hotter than the rest of the box The gun seemed to prefer the hotter rounds too!