consistency problem- oal varies, just go by ogive?

[bluebayou]

I have an unknown lot of Hornady 60 gr VMAX (I threw away the box because I loaded all 100).  After reading a post where someone mentioned measuring their finished ammo, I found that the OAL varies between EXACTLY 3 sizes:  2.267 (what I had the die set for), 2.271, and 2.263.  The die seats the bullet from the ogive and not the polymer tip (I am pretty sure) and the pressure concern would be the distance from the lands..........so.......am I okay here?  It appears that Hornady mixed three lots of bullets or there are 3 different machines at Hornady.

I have a box of 150 grain SP's in 270 that are obviously from different lots because the cannelure is at different places.  That is more of a cosmetic issue. 

What do you guys think?

[Coyote Hunter]

Haven't seen that problem with V-MAX.  Go by the ogive, though.  COL is a useful measurment but it is unreliable if you are trying to maintain a certain distance from the lands.

[Questor]

Eight thousandths of an inch variation is very consistent for even plastic tipped bullets.

[AZ223]

Ogive is the best way to go. Plus, the biggest variation I've had in bullets has been with Hornady's. With any plastic-tipped bullets, it doesn't take much to deform them during shipping and/or handling. The good thing is, deforming the tip doesn't seem to affect performance.