First remind them it's a preliminary range. Then escalate by informing the hiring manager what happened. HR's role is to support the company mission. HR throwin

First remind them it's a preliminary range. Then escalate by informing the hiring manager what happened. HR's role is to support the company mission. HR throwing a spanner in the works just because you gave some estimate is weird at best. If you really end up with HR from hell, either they'll drag the company down with them or they'll be separated soon -- good riddance.