I will try to make this short as possible. Rem 7mm 08 with hand loads. Had 2 cases with dents about 1/8 long (difficult to describe - but let's just say they were small) and in the same location on the cases. Wanted to see the affects so I shot one and it was 2.5 inches off my normal POI. Shot, what I thought was the second dented case (it was not). This hit my normal POI. Then I realized this was not the second dented case. I then shot the second dented case and it hit the same hole on target as the first dented case (2.5 inches off POI). then I shot one more good case and it touched the hole of the other good case. Yes this rifle is that accurate.

Now finally the question - did these small dents really cause the point of aim to be off by 2.5 inches????

Thank you in advance for your comments.

If all other factors the same, bullet, load, measurements, etc. one would have to conclude in your experience, the dents had some influence on the results. For an accurate rifle, that amount of variance is a bit of surprise, but can't see any other conclusion.
From my exerience shooting long range matches, if the cartridge I start to load has a dent, or even chamers differently than others, will not shoot and discard and use another round. Perhaps others could explain the "science" involved??

Just not enough data. I guess if you want to take 20 cases weigh them uniform the primer holes ect and make them a idental to each other as possible. Then dent half of them load them as close as possible to undented ones. Then shoot them for groups a few times.

You might be able to come up with your andswer.

So far I read two logical replies.....and somewhat contradictory.

As far as I'm concerned, if one cannot attribute the incident with a reason then it's coincidence.

I can't find a reason for this at all.

Not to say there's nothing to it.....just there must be a reason!

I don't believe the dents would have any (significant) effect on the accuracy of the round.
Are you talking about oil can dents from having too much lube on the case?

Now finally the question - did these small dents really cause the point of aim to be off by 2.5 inches????

I really doubt it. I say this because I have fire formed cases in two different calibers (6mm XC and 6mm RAT) and have observed excellent accuracy (5 - 6mm bullets through a hole <.5" total diameter @ 100 yds). In making a 6mm XC case from a 22-250 you actually compress the shoulder until it looks like a little mushroom before firing it.

I look at it like this: The pressure to push the brass case out to the chamber wall is infinitesimal compared to that required to push the bullet down the bore.

That said, I would not use unformed cases past 300 yds in a high power competition.