Hornady 45-70 FTX ammo

[Leade]

Has anyone had or know of an ammunition failure with this product?

 

[JLT]

Can you be more specific as to the type of failure?

Many rifles, notably the 1895 Marlins, have feeding problems with this type of ammo.

 

[Leade]

Can you be more specific as to the type of failure?

Many rifles, notably the 1895 Marlins, have feeding problems with this type of ammo.

Split cases, detonations, sqibbs, etc.....pressure issues

 

[snert]

No.
But if you are having that issue with factory loads, get on the line with Hornady. (and when sending stuff back, I would suggest keeping a couple for yourself, well marked with lot#, etc.)

 

[Leade]

The issue involves a catastrophic detonation in a new Model 1895 Marlin.....calling Hornady has proved less than pointless

 

[Prose]

The issue involves a catastrophic detonation in a new Model 1895 Marlin.....calling Hornady has proved less than pointless

Got any Pics?

Marlin would be able to determine what went wrong versus hornady.

 

[JLT]

The issue involves a catastrophic detonation in a new Model 1895 Marlin.....calling Hornady has proved less than pointless

I pray the shooter is uninjured.

I agree with Prose - Marlin should get right on this and determine the cause of the failure.

 

[Leade]

Actually we are working on it. Remington owns Marlin (aka freedom group) and yes they are very cooperative.
What I'm researching are issues with the factory ammo and/or undercharges of Leverevolution powder

 

[Prose]

Actually we are working on it. Remington owns Marlin (aka freedom group) and yes they are very cooperative.
What I'm researching are issues with the factory ammo and/or undercharges of Leverevolution powder

Anything's possible, but that ammo has a great reputation.

If the gun has also seen a good amount of +P ammo, like Buffalo Bore, that may open up some potential issues if not properly maintained and inspected. ie. out of battery detonation.

 

[Leade]

The rifle was brand new...it was its 14th round that detonated. It was not an out of battery....the explosion blew the side of the chamber and the receiver into pieces...all remnants of the brass case were consumed. The blast was so loud that ears rang for three days afterwards even with hearing protection muffs. Good reputation? So what! I believe a below minimum charge like the experience with undercharges of Bullseye, detonates. The ammo is machine loaded and its very easy to miss an undercharge....as long as its not below the minimum...no problem but.....Somebody out there is reloading with LeveRevolution powder and or is using this particular ammo and its just a matter of time

 

[watercam]

Did the 13th round hit paper?

 

[M-61]

Did the 13th round hit paper?

Great question! Awaiting an answer. I assume you are wondering about 'what may be in the barrel?' (the 13th bullet?)

I've never shot the factory ammo but have had remarkably accurate hand loads with those bullets in a Marlin GBL. They are NOT light loads at all as the OP mentions.
Feeding can be tricky due to the soft plastic(?) nose on the 325gr FTX

The OP started with an ammo failure and now it's a 'catastrophic detonation' which his description seems to indicate. I assume he is talking about factory ammo.

 

[Ggmac]

Hope all are ok . I would check previous fired brass for ANY change , progressively larger brass ring , primer indent , primer pressure square shoulders , any signs of mechanical parts failing . If all seems normal check barrel , an obstruction would be evident by a ring or 2 . It's all about the cartridge after those check out .

 

[Leade]

All rounds struck paper including the 13th. Number 14 detonated. All other cases appeared normal...no bulging, primer deformations, case bulges or cracks. No brass remained of number 14. A metal detector of the area revealed only barrel/receiver fragments ( 2 pieces). The remains of the chamber revealed only a copper stain as the only remnant of the case and the 14 th projectile left the barrel...where it went nobody knows. The barrel is intact except a large section of the right lower side of the chamber that also caused the right side of the receiver to bend out to a 90 degree. The fore end was reduced to splinters. Metal fragments punctured the shooters right forearm blowing his arm violently backward and knocking him down. Even with hearing protection the blast was so loud that his ears and the ears of two spectators rang for over twenty four hours and was described as akin to an explosive. A barrel obstruction is not indicated. I suspect that round 14 was under charged below the minimum and detonated very much like Bullseye is wont to do when its loaded too low. Load density and the detonation negate the possibility of an overcharge Thus the query if anyone else has had issues with this ammo or LeveRevolution powder. Preliminary estimates put the chamber pressure to be in excess of 100000psi