I recently purchased a 1.25″ dowel.   I drilled a 1.25″ hole and found the fit to be very sloppy.  I measured the dowel and found it to vary between 1.175 to 1.200.”  Most of the other dowels I have purchased were smaller and seem to fit their respective holes well.

Is this much variation acceptable in dowel dimensions or did I just buy a bad dowel? 

Thanks for the advice.

Dave