Thread: Variations in Projectile Shape

Greetings All,
Recently I had noticed a difference in projectile between older and current Hornady Interlock projectiles in .303 and .22 calibre, Today I was working with some 140 grain projectiles, also Hornady interlock. The 22 cal projectiles were the 55 grain flat base with cannuelure. I don't have any of the old ones to compare but the current projectiles have a crush length of 55 mm versus the old ones at 56 mm. The 6.5 mm 140 grain current projectile has an obviously sharper ogive than the previous batch and will chronograph the two to see if there is a velocity differs. The .303 174 grain round nose projectiles current production have a noticeably more parallel and blunter shape than the much older batch (price sticker says $5.31). The newer batch can be loaded quite close to the rifling in an almost new two groove barrel. The newer batch gives over 100 fps more velocity point of impact is higher on the target. These are super soft loads and may be more sensitive than normal pressure loads.

Thoughts anyone?
Grandpamac.

yip it happens all the time......production costs and sharing jacket with another projectile of similar nature is only reason that comes to mind. even hornady interlocts have different places where cannalure is on jacket from one type of same weight to another....

Thanks Micky Duck,
I suspected that the cause could be the need to reduce costs on their older lines of product. Hornady seems to have produced a number of new super duper projectiles over recent decades. To satisfy my curiosity test loads for both types of projectiles have been included in some burning rate testing on new lots of powder for AR2206H and AR2213SC. A report will follow in due course. The blunter profile of the newer 174 grain .303 projectile does allow seating 2.5 mm of the lands with 6 mm seated in the case, pretty good for a .303. This rifle shoots well and gets taken on ceremonial hunts from time to time.
Regards Grandpamac.

if you feel curious measure overall length of a box of projectiles....it can vary by quite a bit but not affect accuracy for hunting....seirra hpbt are a classic for this,its like they make the jackets and pour in the core,crimp it all in place....weigh them and send them out the door...the pointy ends can vary quite a lot between individual projectiles,yet they are accurate and kill well.
Im rather impressed with bog std hornady 55grn soft points after been given a part box of thier 50 pack loads.