I primarily load the 124gr PD JHP. It shoots very well for my range and some competition uses.
When I first started using the 124 PD JHP, I recorded the average length as .5845" and it still comes very close to that now.
When reloading I do one step that's not really needed. I check every load for OAL with a simple HF digital caliper. My LEE turret press bullet seating anvil is conical. No need for discussion here.
The curiosity comes in when measuring my PD oals. They have my very largest oal variances compared to a number of other bullets I use and/or have used.
I've found the reason. First let me say my reload oals have been pretty darn good in reality: +/-.002 extreme spread and most much closer.. The problem is the PD HP nose. I've tested and found many of some batches ofthe PD jacket where it's folded over the lead hollow point has "flash". That is very thin slivers of brass sticking up on some of the HP's 6 cuts. SOME stick UP as much as .004-.005". When checking the OAL , if the bullet is positioned on the caliper centered, it may show .005" longer than my goal. If it's loaded two thousandths long (no problem) and if positioned on the flash, it READS .007" too long.
My press seating anvil doesn't press the "flash" flat. Sometimes the flash can actually be felt as sharp edges whendragging your finger lightly across the nose.
One test I performed was to press just the bullet nose lightly on a flat piece of steel by hand. I checked the bullet length before and after. Some bullets shortened substantially after lightly pressing the nose on the steel. When the nose cut with the biggest peace of flash sticking up is contacting the jaws of the caliper, the oal could be .007"...one or two even more...too long. Rotate the bullet on the caliper and it may only see .003/.004" long. Some read dead on my oal. 99% never read more than .002" SHORT, most closer to the .5845 length
I understand how "flash" could form in the bullet making process, but NONE of my ZERO HP, MG HP, Speer HP, Hornady HP and a few BRY HPs have had these large variations.
I know measuring so many OALs isn't common place, but has anyone noticed any oal consistency issues with the 124 PD JHPs?
Again, just a lot said about a curiosity (to me).