147 ELD coming apart

[Park ranger]

shooting 600 today, sling. 6.5 Creedmoor, 41.3 grains of H4350, .010” off (2.790”) velocity 2750 fps, 147 ELD with 1/7.5 twist krieger.

Was hard in the X ring then nothing. I figured my puller missed the hole, few more x’s then nothing. Scorer said saw it and heard it mid flight.....puff....

They shoot good, but not when you eat 20 points to blow ups. I’m done with Hornady for ever!

 

[Dgd6mm]

Could be the bullet, I'm not defending Hornaday. But it could be the barrel.

 

[STOMP442]

Whats your lot number? Have you contacted Hornady?

 

[wboggs]

Could be the bullet, I'm not defending Hornaday. But it could be the barrel.

I have a 7.5tw 6.5 barrel waiting for reamer in 6.5 PRC. That will give them a test

Whats your lot number? Have you contacted Hornady?

 

[243Mendoza]

I have shot 2 22-round strings with the 147s in my 6.5-284 to 1000yds a few days ago. Muzzle velocity is the low 2900s. Load was 54gr of H4831SC. Barrel is rough with over 1500 rounds. No problems. They shot great. Ambient temps were in the 80's and 90's at elevation of 800ft.

 

[284winner]

shooting 600 today, sling. 6.5 Creedmoor, 41.3 grains of H4350, .010” off (2.790”) velocity 2750 fps, 147 ELD with 1/7.5 twist krieger.

Was hard in the X ring then nothing. I figured my puller missed the hole, few more x’s then nothing. Scorer said saw it and heard it mid flight.....puff....

They shoot good, but not when you eat 20 points to blow ups. I’m done with Hornady for ever!

It's easy to blame the bullets but really you should have the barrel checked as well. Could very well be that lot of bullets as well but fwiw a gun smith to examine a barrel will give you piece of mind.

 

[STOMP442]

I just posted a thread this morning about a match we had this weekend with three different shooters, shooting three different calibers having 147 bullets blow up mid-flight. My money is on bullets at this point. All three of us shared the same lot number. Hopefully, it's a localized problem to that lot and not across the board.

 

[Park ranger]

I have lot number 2171003. This krieger (7.5 twist) has 350 rounds on it and was chambered by John Whidden. It has shot the Berger 140 hybrid at 2880 fps and the 150 SMK at 2780 fps flawless. I’m not wasting my time with contacting hornady, someone else with a slower twist can take them.

It’s a shame, they were a hammer.

 

[eric32]

let me know if you sell them ill give ya a blow-out price i would like to a give them a try

 

[jr600yd]

I was wondering if a 5R vs a 4-6 grove barrel makes a difference?

 

[Dgd6mm]

The guys I know shooting them in PRS or f class are hammering with them. I haven't heard or seen one come apart yet.

 

[STOMP442]

The guys I know shooting them in PRS or f class are hammering with them. I haven't heard or seen one come apart yet.

I hadn't either until it happened to me. I have shot 400 or more of them out of my rifle and hundreds more out of others without issue. Now I have seen way too many of them come apart to ever trust them again.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I'm not trying to convince you to keep shooting them, because I would not if it happened or happens to me. I had a blow up with a unpointed 115 DTAC at a 600 yard f class shoot. It was due to a dirty barrel, but that definitely is not always the reason. Manufacturers should keep a better eye on their products being made, it is not beyond their control as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Park ranger]

I'm not trying to convince you to keep shooting them, because I would not if it happened or happens to me. I had a blow up with a unpointed 115 DTAC at a 600 yard f class shoot. It was due to a dirty barrel, but that definitely is not always the reason. Manufacturers should keep a better eye on their products being made, it is not beyond their control as far as I'm concerned.

It did have probably 70 shots since it was last JB scrubbed. We shoot service rifles with 7 twist at same or higher speed and go 300 or more rounds without cleaning.

 

[Brians356]

Barrel is rough with over 1500 rounds.

I'm curious if you really meant "rough" after 1500 rounds, that's a lot of burnishing. Unless it's pitted from corrosion, or fire-cracked in the throat?
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[Brians356]

Too bad that, unlike Nosler, Hornady doesn't host a user forum.
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[Ryman01]

Shot some 260 Remington Black Hills ammo loaded with ELD-M a couple of weeks ago in an XTC match. Two of the 20 shots did not make it to the target at 600. My scorer and one observer both said it looked like something was coming off the bullet about 100 yards out. Talked to Black Hills twice but they never followed up to send the paperwork to return the ammo. Haven't tried Hornady yet. Gun shots great at 1000 with Berger 140 hybrids and 142 Sierra's. 1x8 barrel, about 1500 rounds on barrel, 300' above sea level, 85 F. All this is just for info. Maybe help someone else.

 

[Brians356]

Shot some 260 Remington Black Hills ammo loaded with ELD-M a couple of weeks ago in an XTC match. Two of the 20 shots did not make it to the target at 600. My scorer and one observer both said it looked like something was coming off the bullet about 100 yards out. Talked to Black Hills twice but they never followed up to send the paperwork to return the ammo. Haven't tried Hornady yet. Gun shots great at 1000 with Berger 140 hybrids and 142 Sierra's. 1x8 barrel, about 1500 rounds on barrel, 300' above sea level, 85 F. All this is just for info. Maybe help someone else.

What's the twist rate?
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[x_wolf]

I have shot on this Sunday small match (40 rds.) with 260 Rem, loaded with ELD-M 147 at 2824. Six-groove 32" bbl with 8" twist, around 350 shots on the counter.
Zero problems, every bullet make it to the target with nice groups. But I have different lot number as was here mentioned.

 

[Dgd6mm]

This is not acceptable..... If their sales would come to a screeching halt over this, they'd fix it fast, quick, and in a hurry.