What would cause a ball to play abnormally strong compared to its Mfg rating ?

[Tony]

My biggest issue with the Perfect Scale is that it doesn't factor in ball reaction at all (building on what John just said) - a pearl rated at 230, for example, will turn much later & presumably harder than a sanded solid at 230. Does one hook "more"? Is one "Stronger"? Which one and why?

IMO you are better looking at the numbers, core, and cover. Rob's advice throughout the years has led me to making informed ball buying decisions and I have to say it's been a big bonus (as someone who gets maybe 1 per year or 2 max).

Sounds like that's better way to go with ball selection, in the past I haven't used it because it seems like a lot of work for a guy that only buys one / two balls every year or so. With the sheer number of balls coming out it seemed like a better idea to have the PSO who is supposed to understand these things in greater depth help assist in selecting a ball. I would tell the PSO what I was looking for and how it should fit into my game and he was supposed to narrow the ball selections down and then explain the nuances of those few balls.......Sad to say that has resulted in several wasted purchases and looking back the two balls I have the most use with and best results are balls I chose without PSO assistance. That was mainly based on watching other bowlers using the ball and all the positive comments about the Hy-Road and the IQ 30th Anniversary balls. (as a side note the one PSO is a guy I regularly bowl with in league, so he has seen me bowl many games)

[Tony]

Follow up: I took the ball in and explained what my experience has been using it, the PSO suggested a surface change and drilling a small weight hole, he took the finish to 4000 with polish.
Last night in the 3rd game the lanes were getting a little dry and with the IQ I had moved 10 boards left over the course of the night so I decided to switch to the ball in question DV8 outcast. My teammates noticed right away how much hook the ball had, I think it's accentuated by the green and black color, but it was moving quite a few boards. I backed off a little from my last IQ starting mark and was crossing over, by the time I was getting it back in the pocket I was playing in nearly the same spot I left off with the IQ. I did manage to string together a few strikes but it still wasn't the type of reaction I was looking for when I purchased the ball.

[hotdog`966]

drilling layout, lane condition your physical condition on that day.

[bdtrob300]

If it's made by storm. Lol, but seriously every storm ball I've ever had has outhooked the specs/layout.

[Amyers]

Follow up: I took the ball in and explained what my experience has been using it, the PSO suggested a surface change and drilling a small weight hole, he took the finish to 4000 with polish.
Last night in the 3rd game the lanes were getting a little dry and with the IQ I had moved 10 boards left over the course of the night so I decided to switch to the ball in question DV8 outcast. My teammates noticed right away how much hook the ball had, I think it's accentuated by the green and black color, but it was moving quite a few boards. I backed off a little from my last IQ starting mark and was crossing over, by the time I was getting it back in the pocket I was playing in nearly the same spot I left off with the IQ. I did manage to string together a few strikes but it still wasn't the type of reaction I was looking for when I purchased the ball.

If you want the ball to hook less on the backend then add surface not take it away. Try changing the surface to 3k.

Another idea might be to start with the outcast while the oil is fresher and as you move deeper switch to the iq