Hornady A-Tip .338 300gr Reloading Anomalies

[GunnyUSMC]

I have two new rifles for ELR, both chambered in .338 Edge. Initially i was not able to get my hands on Berger .338 300gr OTMs but Hornday A-Tips were available so i purchased a few hundred. Later, I was able to get the Bergers and purchased 500.

One of the rifles is for my daughter and is being reloaded with the Hornady A-Tip while the other rifle is for me and is being reloaded with the Bergers. Case prep for both rifles is exactly the same... in every way. The differences come into play for powder and bullet seat depth.

The first anomaly chame when handling the A-Tips, i realized that there is some sort of film on them. These A-Tips come with a red cloth for handling and wiping the bullets down during the reloading process but i didnt realize how much i needed to wipe off this film that came on the A-Tips from Hornady.

The second anomaly is that though the bullet diameter for the A-Tips and Bergers are supposed to be the same, the force required to seat the A-Tip is about double that of the Bergers. I am using ADG brass that has been fire formed and is on the second reload. A-Tips require appx 110 foot pounds where the Bergers require appx 60 foot pounds of force. I am using LEWilson inline seating dies along with a K&M arbor press with dial indicator.

Anyone experience these issues with the Hornady A-Tips?

 

[SKWERLZ]

I’ve noticed that seating force difference with 7mm and 338.
Yes they still have production lube still on them.

While the ATip BC s better I prefer the Berger’s as they have had better vertical dispersion for my particular rifle at distance especially with my 7mm.