More problems with Hornady bullets

[STOMP442]

Myself and two other shooters at our local match Saturday experienced bullet failures with the 6.5mm 147gr ELD Match bullets. We have what we call a prairie dog match once a month with 10 4"x8" targets spread from 200 meters to 500 meters. Each shooter gets 15 rounds and 15 minutes to finish the course and the best score gets bragging rights for the month. Conditions at the range were great last weekend, the wind was very light and the temps at match start to match end were 74-86 degrees, a rare nice day for this time of year in Southeastern Arizona.

Rifle #1
Savage Model 111
260 Ackley Improved
26" Mcgowan 8 twist varmint weight barrel.
42.5gr Reloader 16
Lapua Brass CCI #200 primers
Velocity = 2,880 fps

This is my personal rifle and I have been shooting this load for the last two years or more without issues. Last Saturday I experienced bullet failures at shots 8 and 11. Bullets went poof mid flight and never hit the target.

Rifle #2
Savage Model 111
6.5-284 Norma
26" E.R. Shaw 8 twist varmint weight barrel.
51.5gr Reloader 26
Lapua Brass CCI #200 primers
Velocity = 2,915 fps

This guy experienced bullet failures right away at shots 3-5. He just quit shooting at that point.

Rifle #3
Tikka T3
6.5-300WSM
28" Proof Research Carbon 8 twist Sendero contour.
62.5gr Retumbo
Hornady brass CCI #250 Magnum primers
Velocity = 3061fps

This rifle experienced bullet failures at shots #5,8 and 13.


All of these rifles have shot plenty of these bullets in the past without issue. I bet I have put 400 or more of these through my .260AI with no problems. After the match I had the two other shooters give me their lot #s and it turns out we all bought them from the same LGS and all have the same lot number. This looks to be some pretty hard evidence that there may be something wrong with this lot for sure. The Lot number in question is #2171403

I spoke with Hornady this morning, They claim that this is the very first instance they have had any such issue with this particular bullet. They want me to send them the remaining bullets that I have for testing (4 boxes) worth to verify that they meet spec. They also told me they are currently testing the 147s in the PRC at 3200fps and haven't had an issue but I am not sure at what range they are testing them at. We never had an issue until 300 meters and beyond.

Given the issues, I have had this month, first with the 180s out of a 28 Nosler and now the 147s out of three different 6.5s I think I will be moving away from Hornady bullets. I just can't trust them.

 

[Park ranger]

See my post about this. I’m done with hornady

 

[STOMP442]

Yep sounds like we are in the same boat. What is your lot number? It would be interesting to see if it corresponds with mine and we have the issue narrowed down or if this is a wider-reaching problem.

 

[Park ranger]

Lot 2171003. We have a common problem alright, bullets in a red box. Lol

 

[Rob01]

What's the round count on all the barrels?

 

[284winner]

One more example of why fixed what ain't broke. The Amax bullets were just fine as they were. I wouldn't trade heat shield tips for jackets coming apart. Seems more and more people complaining about the "New" Hornady bullets.

 

[Park ranger]

350 on my Creedmoor, 7.5 twist

 

[jimbo88mm]

One more example of why fixed what ain't broke. The Amax bullets were just fine as they were. I wouldn't trade heat shield tips for jackets coming apart. Seems more and more people complaining about the "New" Hornady bullets.

I've fired thousands elds across a few different calibers, with at least 2/3rds at distances over 750 yards and never experienced one blowing up. I don't think this is a amax vs eld issue. Maybe something is going on with recent batches. If there is an issue, its probably a manufacture issue as opposed to a design flaw. ELDs have been out for awhile now and a lot of people have been shooting them. If the general design were prone to flying apart I would have expected to see it personally by now.

 

[STOMP442]

I'm pushing 800 rounds on my Ackley the 6.5-284 has seen under 200 and same with the 6.5-300wsm.

 

[6MMsteve]

1st thing I would do is J&B the barrels real good then try the hornies again this may help and it may not, but I think it will just a hunch never hurts to try

 

[284winner]

Didn't want to sound like I'm bashing Hornady because I'm not. I primarily shoot Hornady bullets. Just seems like so many people in the past 6 months are experiencing this issue with not only the 180, 147 but also I've heard the 108 and 80s having this same problem. Maybe too fast of barrel, maybe the bullet or maybe a barrel issue. Regardless of what it is, it only seems that I'm hearing the Hornady ELD bullets are the ones coming apart. I've never had the issue either but there are issue. If it is in fact a jacket issue or a problem with production, hopefully it's worked out. I also know nobody has figured out that it's their gun that's the issue. Like I said, I'm a Hornady guy as they do shoot and perform very well for me at a cost that's affordable. Hoping whatever the problem is gets fixed.

 

[Rob01]

I have shot thousands of the ELDs in 75grn .223, 6.5 Creedmoor in 140s and 147s, 162 7mms and 108 6mms and never had a bullet come apart. All very accurate too. Don;t plan to stop shooting them in matches and will be in another couple weeks. Have shot all of those, except the .223s, to past 1000 and they performed great.

It's got nothing to do with AMAX vs ELDs. Both used the AMP jacketing process and the difference is a small design change to boost BC and the tip material. Nothing that would make the ELDs any worse or prone to coming apart. If anything it might be a small lot issue but I doubt it's anything wide spread. We will see what they say when they get the bullets back to test.

 

[STOMP442]

I was never a Hornady guy per say. I used a few Amaxes here and there but I was never really impressed with their consistency especially back in the day. The last few years though Hornady has really stepped up their game and when they came out with the 147 I just had to try it. It shot very well and the consistency issues seemed to be resolved. I as well, have shot hundreds of the 147s and 140s and plenty of the 162s as well without issue until recently. About two weeks ago, I tried the 180 ELDs in a 28 Nosler and had my first ever bullet come apart. Now last weekend I had 147s come apart and witnessed plenty more come apart that I am afraid I can not trust them again. If it was a one time deal sure maybe it was a defect but multiple bullets over multiple calibers and rifles all with different match grade barrels within two weeks is more than I am willing to put up with. Back to Berger for me. Bullets will be sent out tomorrow and I will update the thread with their response when I find out.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

Hope you can find the bergers you want!

 

[STOMP442]

Natchez had 140 hybrids in stock this morning. I'm good to go.

 

[Shawnba67]

I had a very similar thing with Nosler Rdf in a 243Win. I was at 325k rpm but also really wonder if some times the core melts loose. Probly wrong terminology but you get the idea.
I mean hell the changed plastic tips for melting. They only get hot from air friction, dont they?

 

[STOMP442]

I received notice from Hornady that they have received my bullets. No word yet on if there is anything wrong with them.

 

[hogpatrol]

I have shot thousands of the ELDs in 75grn .223, 6.5 Creedmoor in 140s and 147s, 162 7mms and 108 6mms and never had a bullet come apart. All very accurate too. Don;t plan to stop shooting them in matches and will be in another couple weeks. Have shot all of those, except the .223s, to past 1000 and they performed great.

It's got nothing to do with AMAX vs ELDs. Both used the AMP jacketing process and the difference is a small design change to boost BC and the tip material. Nothing that would make the ELDs any worse or prone to coming apart. If anything it might be a small lot issue but I doubt it's anything wide spread. We will see what they say when they get the bullets back to test.

These aren't the special ones you guys get. Aside from that, you guys need to rename your team to Team Hornady.

 

[Rob01]

These aren't the special ones you guys get. Aside from that, you guys need to rename your team to Team Hornady.

No right off production line like any but believe me you aren't the first to try and throw shade like that. Has happened for years and will continue I am sure. People don't understand that our reputations and integrity are worth more to us than any company. We never have and don't plan on ever ruining either for any company.

And no our team is our team. Not named for sponsors but named after the actual team name from my team mate's Marine Corps sniper team.

 

[hogpatrol]

No right off production line like any but believe me you aren't the first to try and throw shade like that. Has happened for years and will continue I am sure. People don't understand that our reputations and integrity are worth more to us than any company. We never have and don't plan on ever ruining either for any company.

And no our team is our team. Not named for sponsors but named after the actual team name from my team mate's Marine Corps sniper team.