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153gr A-tip issue

savageshooter86

So a shooter today had Bullets not making it to the target at 600. Running a 6.5creedmore with 8 twist 153gr. We didn’t know he had issue so we couldn’t see them blowing up or coming apart. Claims running around 2880 fps. Has anyone had issue with these bullets coming apart?? No one else dropped shots on that target. Was drilling the X ring and 10 ring then nothing. It isn’t the target as another two shooters shot on same target with zero issues. Sensor was not even picking up shot off target near the frame

thanks for any info
 
That combination of components isn't very realistic for a 6.5 CM. I don't see how you could push that heavy of a bullet to near 2900 fps from a 6.5 CM case. The Hornady load data on their website shows a top speed of 2650 for the 153 grain A-tip in 6.5CM. Stability index for the mfr max load load is 1.389. You probably would need at least a 7.5 twist (and a larger case like 6.5-284 or one of the 6.5 magnums).
 
chromatica said:
That combination of components isn't very realistic for a 6.5 CM.

I don't see how you could push that heavy of a bullet to near 2900 fps from a 6.5 CM case.

The Hornady load data on their website shows a top speed of 2650 for the 153 grain A-tip in 6.5CM.

Stability index for the mfr max load load is 1.389.

You probably would need at least a 7.5 twist (and a larger case like 6.5-284 or one of the 6.5 magnums).
Click to expand...

Not very realistic? Why do you say this?

Well, let's see what we can come up with just for the sake of discussion:

Hornady is probably running a 26" barrel. We know by reading that they are limited to 2.800" OAL. Their end result is 2650 fps.

I run a 6.5 Creedmoor test barrel at 30" using a 2.990" OAL which is base of the 153 grain bullet at the body/shoulder junction. I have recorded 2845 fps. on several occasions. Maybe not 2,900 fps but 2,845 fps. And I'm not stepping on it either. Easy extraction and the primers are still rounded. My twist rate is 1:7.75" for minimum stability which is 1.540 for full BC.

Even if it was 2,900 fps. he is running 269,419 RPM, hardly something which we would think is helping to blow up bullets.

My load runs 264,309 RPM and I don't see any bullets lost.

So what is he doing or not doing to cause the loss of bullets?
 
Did you continue shooting after the disappearing bullets, or did you stop after you lost one or two shots?

Can you shoot again with another load/manufactured ammo to rule out things like a scope mount / stock that came loose and are throwing your shots way off?
 
Sometimes extremely hot barrels will blow up bullets with thinner jackets.

No idea about how fragile the 153 atip is.
 
savageshooter86 said:
So a shooter today had Bullets not making it to the target at 600. Running a 6.5creedmore with 8 twist 153gr. We didn’t know he had issue so we couldn’t see them blowing up or coming apart. Claims running around 2880 fps. Has anyone had issue with these bullets coming apart?? No one else dropped shots on that target. Was drilling the X ring and 10 ring then nothing. It isn’t the target as another two shooters shot on same target with zero issues. Sensor was not even picking up shot off target near the frame

thanks for any info
Click to expand...
I blew up 5-153 tips out of a 260AI at 2880 FPS. contacted Hornady. They said they wanted to test some of my bullets. Said they would email a mailing label but that was over a week ago. Contact Hornady. They need to know that their bullets aren't doing so well.
 
piie said:
Did you continue shooting after the disappearing bullets, or did you stop after you lost one or two shots?

Can you shoot again with another load/manufactured ammo to rule out things like a scope mount / stock that came loose and are throwing your shots way off?
Click to expand...
This was a fellow competitor. Not myself
 
Tagging this one. ;)

Another member of this forum sectioned one. Apparently they're the same thickness as the ELDMs. Says 'AMP jackets' right on the box too....just like the ELDMs....
 
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Back about 20 years ago I got a Remington Sendero in 300 RUM and tried a box of Berger 210. They did not make it to the target about 20% of the time. I called Berger and got a person who said he was a bullet tech. He asked what twist my barrel was and how fast I was running them. I told him I hadn't clocked them but was about 2 grains under max. He said there some things that would cause a bullet to blow up. Too much speed, too fast of a twist, too rough of a barrel, too much barrel heat. He said the RUM is too fast for the 210, the 10 twist that came from Remington is much RPM, the barrel is most likely too rough inside as most factory barrels are, and since you live in south Florida your barrel is most likely too hot on at least some of your shots. Your the first ive talked to that had that many of the reasons all in one gun, I don't think the 210s are going to work for you. Later they had problems with too thin of jackets, that they actually admitted too on 6.5 bullets. Many things can cause this, no mention of the barrel quality from the OP.
 
my 6.5 PRC 28 inch 7.5 twist had the 147 and 153 both have occasional blow-ups at 3030-3050 fps but can shoot the cheap Hornady 140 bthp match at 3120 and never had one blow-up and it uses the same jacket. same problem with my 7 saum the 162 eldm and bthp match no problem but the 180 eldm have problems. I am starting to think that something else is contributing to the problem my thought is maybe the length of the bearing surface and tight bores might causing more of a problem.
 
The only barrel I have owned that caused failures of 'long for caliber' bullets was a Brux 6.5mm 4 groove with a tighter than normal bore and conventionally cut rifling. It would shred 150 SMK's after 12-15rds in a match once the barrel had a few hundred rounds down it. A 5R barrel with normal bore diameter could shoot them fine. My current 7mm 5R barrel, with a normal bore diameter for caliber is handling 190 A-tips shot up to 2820fps just fine....so far (230 or so rds/350 down the barrel). I'll have a tight sphincter in matches until I can run at least another few hundred and no white poofs;). The relatively thin jacketed Hornady match bullets will have to avoid certain barrels no doubt.
 
Typical for Hornady. Just had seven 147 ELDM come apart at a match a few weekends ago and I was only running them at 2715. I will not be shooting Hornady bullets any longer.
 
Ron Gorski said:
I blew up 5-153 tips out of a 260AI at 2880 FPS. contacted Hornady. They said they wanted to test some of my bullets. Said they would email a mailing label but that was over a week ago. Contact Hornady. They need to know that their bullets aren't doing so well.
Click to expand...

Ron

They will come back saying it’s not their issue and the bullet is fine. The will blame barrel, twist etc.. they know they have issues with their bullets from numerous other shooters but won’t admit it
 
MattPeetz said:
Ron

They will come back saying it’s not their issue and the bullet is fine. The will blame barrel, twist etc.. they know they have issues with their bullets from numerous other shooters but won’t admit it
Click to expand...
Matt,
You are probably correct. I told them in an email what I was shooting. I still don't have a prepaid mailing label. Ron
 
2 or 3 weeks ago i was having blowups with the 153 atips in a 6.5 prc.. no issues with them when it was a little cooler out but this day it was 95 degrees out.. but i was shooting slow fire and using a barrel cooler between every couple shots.. i got a couple hundred 153.5 bergers and shot about 30 of them yesterday with no issues.. again 95 degrees out..
 
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