[owenslee]

OK...There are several members on the forum who bought Midway Blemished 110g VMax bullets when they were on sale.

At least three members have reported loading and shooting these bullets.
Two reports ... with terrible results of 4-12" groups and one report with "OK" groups of under 2".

In an effort to get a handle on which of the bullet configurations are the culprit and to what degree the problem exists, I would ask that those who have shot these bullets or will be shooting these bullets... report their data here.

First, there are two part numbers involved...but at least three if not four different configurations.

Configuration 1 is Midway's part number 972987 WITH cannelure.
The boxes also have the manufacturer's number of 22720(C) and a third number on the box of 102308.
The examples I received all have a red polymer tip.

Configuration 2 is Midways' part number 295995 WITHOUT cannelure.
The boxes have a manufacturer's number of 22720(B) and the third number of 102308.
The examples I have received also have a red polymer tip.

Because both configuration boxes are marked with the same 102308 number...I suspect this is a vendor number that perhaps identifies Hornady...but that is speculation on my part. It may be an internal purchase order number being referenced.

The reason I refer to more than two configurations is due to the reports of some receiving green tip polymer bullets. If you have such green tipped bullet...please provide the box ID numbers to see how or if they differ from those above with red tips.

Finally, for those who have shot any configuration of these bullets... please provide the box numbers and accuracy you observed.

Hopefully, we can determine if the poor accuracy issue is limited to a specific bullet / tip color or presence of / lack of a cannelure.

Thanks.

Kerry

 

[Mark21]

Kerry -- good idea.

I have 500 bullets. 100 of them is the red cannelure that you listed.

The other 400 are green-tipped, without cannelure. Keeping the same style as you are using:

Configuration 3 is Midway's part number 972987 WITHOUT cannelure.
The boxes also have the manufacturer's number of 22720(C) and a third number on the box of 110408.
The examples I received all have a green polymer tip.

I have not shot any of these yet.

 

[owenslee]

Kerry -- good idea.

Configuration 3 is Midway's part number 972987 WITHOUT cannelure.
The boxes also have the manufacturer's number of 22720(C) and a third number on the box of 110408.
The examples I received all have a green polymer tip.

Strange...same 972987 part number and 22720(c) number for bullets with cannelure... and without cannelure.

Perhaps the 110408 number identifies the green polymer tip and the 102308 identifies a red tip...?

Kerry

 

[ron169]

Kerry, after I get done blocking traffic for a tree across the road, Ill post up ones I have. I know they are red tip, and I believe with Cannelure, but ill check to make sure. I havent loaded them yet, but it will probably occur in a few weeks

 

[bedlamite]

This was shot from my KT68 lightweight barrel just before I used the Tubbs Final Finish kit, I can't find the scan of my after target for comparison, but it was a little under 1.5 MOA. Depending on the weather, I should be able to get out on Friday for a current target. I loaded them with 29 grains of H322 in Remington brass using the old Winchester large rifle primers in the white boxes.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productnumber=972987

 

[owenslee]

This was shot from my KT68 lightweight barrel just before I used the Tubbs Final Finish kit, I can't find the scan of my after target for comparison, but it was a little under 1.5 MOA. Depending on the weather, I should be able to get out on Friday for a current target. I loaded them with 29 grains of H322 in Remington brass using the old Winchester large rifle primers in the white boxes.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productnumber=972987

Great details...

OK...we have acceptable performance with the red tipped cannelure version in at least one case....with three of the five shots less than 1 moa.

And Steves' report of poor 6-12" groups was with the NON cannelure version with red tips.

Kerry

 

[cj192837456]

Kerry -- good idea.

Configuration 3 is Midway's part number 972987 WITHOUT cannelure.
The boxes also have the manufacturer's number of 22720(C) and a third number on the box of 110408.
The examples I received all have a green polymer tip.

Strange...same 972987 part number and 22720(c) number for bullets with cannelure... and without cannelure.

Perhaps the 110408 number identifies the green polymer tip and the 102308 identifies a red tip...?

Kerry

Any chance those are mfg/batch dates?

 

[Louie]

Ok, Mine are in a blue midway box with 972987 but have no cannelure but have green tips,
There are only 2 other numbers on it, 110408 and 22720c
I have not fired any of them yet, waiting on extreme upper.

 

[owenslee]

Kerry -- good idea.

Configuration 3 is Midway's part number 972987 WITHOUT cannelure.
The boxes also have the manufacturer's number of 22720(C) and a third number on the box of 110408.
The examples I received all have a green polymer tip.

Strange...same 972987 part number and 22720(c) number for bullets with cannelure... and without cannelure.

Perhaps the 110408 number identifies the green polymer tip and the 102308 identifies a red tip...?

Kerry

Any chance those are mfg/batch dates?

Possible...but it appears to be more consistent with tip color... until we find an exception.

It could be both....different color from a different batch.

The 2272(C) or (B) is definitely a manufacturer's number as verified on the Midway site.
The 295995 and 972987 are also verified Midway product numbers.

Kerry

 

[cj192837456]

Kerry -- good idea.

Configuration 3 is Midway's part number 972987 WITHOUT cannelure.
The boxes also have the manufacturer's number of 22720(C) and a third number on the box of 110408.
The examples I received all have a green polymer tip.

Strange...same 972987 part number and 22720(c) number for bullets with cannelure... and without cannelure.

Perhaps the 110408 number identifies the green polymer tip and the 102308 identifies a red tip...?

Kerry

Any chance those are mfg/batch dates?

Possible...but it appears to be more consistent with tip color... until we find an exception.

It could be both....different color from a different batch.

The 2272(C) or (B) is definitely a manufacturer's number as verified on the Midway site.
The 295995 and 972987 are also verified Midway product numbers.

Kerry

OK, I ordered some from Natchez, unblemished $21.xx/100, so if no answer when I get it, I'll post up.

 

[bedlamite]

FWIW, mine are the red tip, and those two flyers in the above target may have been caused by the loose nut pulling the trigger. Before I used the Tubbs kit that was the best group this gun had produced, most were 2"-2.5". Since then, everything has dropped to 1"-1.5", and I have yet to shoot a sub-MOA group with it.

 

[dlance13]

You are correct that 22720 is Hornady's part number for the 110gr VMAX. 22720(C) is the VMAX w/ cannelure. What seems odd to me are the green tipped bullets. To my knowledge, Hornady does not use green polymer tips, only red.

 

[owenslee]

Steve (OleMiss),

Perhaps one of your buddies in the Physics Lab would have interest in a student assignment to unravel the mystery of the "Defective Bullets"...
This would be a great extra credit assignment...

Using the box of bullets that produced the erratic results:

Weight all samples for deviation in weight.

Section some sample for the presence of voids or variation in core density.

Measure the thickness and consistency of the copper jacket.

Measure the dimensional consistency and any centerline location deviation of the tip recess.

Spin samples to measure any single plane or two plane imbalance at the calculated rpm that would result from 1:11 twist and 2300-2600 fps muzzle velocity.

Profile comparisons of shape inconstancies. Especially ogive and boat tail forms.

Did I miss any notable variables?

Kerry

 

[owenslee]

You are correct that 22720 is Hornady's part number for the 110gr VMAX. 22720(C) is the VMAX w/ cannelure. What seems odd to me are the green tipped bullets. To my knowledge, Hornady does not use green polymer tips, only red.

Hornady does make the green tip VMax for Sellier and Beloit.

What is odd to me is that several members received 22720(C) WITHOUT cannelure. But only those with green tips and the 110408 mfg. date...

Those boxes with the 22720(c) designation and red tips appear to all have the cannelure... as the number suggests.

Kerry

 

[ron169]

Configuration 4 is Midways' part number 295995 WITHOUT cannelure.
The boxes have a manufacturer's number of 22720(B) and the third number of 112808.
The examples I have received also have a red polymer tip.

Ive got three boxes of the above. Only difference in the 112808, which I am starting to guess is a batch date. Im also assuming the without cannelure since there is no line around the bullet

 

[Pitbull]

Mine are 295995 without cannelure and red tip. Manufacturer's #22720B and the third number on the box is 102308. Three boxes total. I have not loaded these yet, still waiting on my upper.

 

[owenslee]

I think Ron and CJ are correct. The third number variations ending in 08 are not related to tip color but are mfg. date codes.

This may help isolate the date the "bad" bullets were made.

We know that Bedlamites' "good" bullets with cannelure were made on 10/23/08.

 

[Bushdog45]

Kerry, mine are the config. 2 except the third # is 112808. They are red tipped w/o cannelure. The boattail in not properly formed and some of them have a wrinkle in the jacket on the boattail. 5 shot groups 6" to 8" at 100 yds.

 

[ron169]

Kerry, mine are the config. 2 except the third # is 112808. They are red tipped w/o cannelure. The boattail in not properly formed and some of them have a wrinkle in the jacket on the boattail. 5 shot groups 6" to 8" at 100 yds.

How are you loading them and with what powder? what lingth? Crimping or not?

 

[Bushdog45]

AA2230C 28.0 to 29.5 grs powder, COL 2.275", Fed. 205 primer, once fired SSA brass, Lee factory crimp. Note the "wrinkle" on the boatail.: