Berger 140 VLD Target 3 different lots, 3 different Base to O-Give Lengths??

[rockchalk06]

I've purchased 3 different lots of Berger 140 grain VLD Target Bullets for my 6.5 over the last month.
First box of 500 was Lot #5315 and I have an amazing sub 4 SD .380" 5 shot group with them.
I found another 200 here on the Hide last week Lot #2353.
I was running low on the first 500 ct box and bought all PV had (300 total). Lot #01202

I weighed and measured everything today and I'm confused. All are 140.2 grains on the money. Base to O-Give length is where it gets stupid.

First box of 500 is .729" on the money every bullet
2nd box of 200 is .739" on the money every bullet
Last 300 that came today I opened one box and measured 20. All .721"

WTH? Website shows .718" is base to O-Give of the VLD Target which is fairly close to the current boxes. I didn't mess with OAL as they are all over the place give or take .003".

Is this normal?

Thanks in advance SH

 

[ZiaHunter]

Pretty typical to have lot variation with Bergers. Shoot thousands of them through my F-Class rifles and just expect variation from lot to lot. For my other precision rifles I don't bother measuring them and just shoot them. If you are in need of more 140 VLD's let know since I have quite a few boxes on the shelf I will never use.

 

[nn8734]

I've purchased 3 different lots of Berger 140 grain VLD Target Bullets for my 6.5 over the last month.
First box of 500 was Lot #5315 and I have an amazing sub 4 SD .380" 5 shot group with them.
I found another 200 here on the Hide last week Lot #2353.
I was running low on the first 500 ct box and bought all PV had (300 total). Lot #01202

I weighed and measured everything today and I'm confused. All are 140.2 grains on the money. Base to O-Give length is where it gets stupid.

First box of 500 is .729" on the money every bullet
2nd box of 200 is .739" on the money every bullet
Last 300 that came today I opened one box and measured 20. All .721"

WTH? Website shows .718" is base to O-Give of the VLD Target which is fairly close to the current boxes. I didn't mess with OAL as they are all over the place give or take .003".

Is this normal?

Thanks in advance SH

It’s normal to see lot to lot variance in most bullets...

Just determine your jam length for each box/lot based on the different dimensions if you want to maintain the current jump your load has now. Then simply adjust your seating die accordingly.

 

[rockchalk06]

It’s normal to see lot to lot variance in most bullets...

Just determine your jam length for each box/lot based on the different dimensions if you want to maintain the current jump your load has now. Then simply adjust your seating die accordingly.

Thank you.

 

[rockchalk06]

Pretty typical to have lot variation with Bergers. Shoot thousands of them through my F-Class rifles and just expect variation from lot to lot. For my other precision rifles I don't bother measuring them and just shoot them. If you are in need of more 140 VLD's let know since I have quite a few boxes on the shelf I will never use.

I'll shoot you a PM.

Thanks

 

[918v]

It’s normal to see lot to lot variance in most bullets...

Just determine your jam length for each box/lot based on the different dimensions if you want to maintain the current jump your load has now. Then simply adjust your seating die accordingly.

I would just load them using whatever die setting you had previously. 90% chance the seater stem will seat these to the same coal and they will shoot the same despite the different bto.

 

[nn8734]

I would just load them using whatever die setting you had previously. 90% chance the seater stem will seat these to the same coal and they will shoot the same despite the different bto.

You’re prob not wrong but I’d check just to be sure unless the difference is so minimal it wouldn’t matter anyway. I don’t think those bullets are overly sensitive to slight variations in jump like certain pure VLD bullets.

For example, I don’t see changes in group size in 175 smks until I alter the seating depths by more than .008-.010 for my 308s. I still ogive sort so that seating doesn’t require measurement of 100% of all rounds loaded. I just to sample testing to confirm everything is good.