Maybe someone hear can explain something for me . I am checking ammo prices for dangerous game in calibers 470 nitro and 500 nitro and also the 458 Lott When looking at federal factory ammo for the 470 nitro express prices are $300-350 for a box of 20 , but when looking at Hornady factory ammo the 470 sells for $115 for a box of 20 Why such a difference is it that federal ammunition is that much better . Please tell me do any of you use Hornady on your Hunts. I thought the hornady solids were premium bullets but maybe i am wrong. Thanks Tanoose

Good question!

With Hornady now competing in the DG ammo marketplace, Federal will have to lower its prices or lose out big time to Hornady in sales. A company can only amortize R&D and start up costs for so long.

Hornady never seems to have to charge the high prices that Federal does. Hornady's prices always seem reasonable - even as soon as a new caliber is introduced.

I have always liked Hornady as an innovative company, but there was a time - and recently - when I wouldn't have used their DG ammo if they had given it to me free of charge.

Hornady's DG bullets have gone through some ups and downs. I have used the "old" Hornady ammo on cape buffalo. By "old" I mean their original steel jacketed solids and their Interlock softs. They worked just fine.

But then Hornady developed an "encapsulated" solid bullet that was prone to fragmentation, then some kind of brass jacketed solid that deformed and gave penetration problems, and also an Interbond soft that likewise did not hold together for decent penetration.

Now it seems that Hornady is back on the right track with its DGS steel jacketed, flat nosed solid and its DGX steel jacketed soft.

By all accounts, it's good stuff, and I would certainly give it a try before I would pay Federal's rates!

I agree, Federal's prices are outrageous.

Ditto, and I have shot both.

We have been shooting the Hornady brand all over Africa for the last four years-great results. Their new Dangerous Game line up will be changing the landscape in the ammo pricing-zero doubt. From Steve down, the Hornady guys are hunters, and they spend lots of time in Africa testing, talking AND listening to the people that use their product. Free market is a beautiful thing and honest competition will make shooting our beloved big bores more affordable . Let the retail games begin !
Good Hunting
Dave

Dave,
Glad you are posting here. Your film work for CB and others is fantasic. Keep up the great work.

Everything Federal sells is overpriced. I don't think a TBBC is a better bullet than the A Frame, or the Sledgehammer solid better than the Barnes Banded, but it seems Federal does.

I'm glad Hornady's in the game with some apparently well performing DG stuff. Gonna try in in a .458 Winnie to see.

this is just Federal trying to screw their customer base, and why not? It works for big oil.
It is just sad that a company would do that. Hopefully, Hornady will kill them in sales. It will be interesting to read the press release when Federal tries to justify the original pricing structure.
It is consistent, look at the premium they try to get on everything else they sell...

Rich
Buff Killer

I was never a fan of Hornady bullets as I tended to be a velociphile and thought their bullets too soft. However...

In the DG series at velocities in the nitro express range, I have no problem at all. I congratulate them on coming out with this ammunition and hope they can expand their NE output.

Federal, Kynoch,Norma, and WR will either have to lower their prices or go packing. I certainly won't pay for them if I don't have to.

I'm with everyone else. Sure, Federal brought many of these old cartridges to market in the US. Hell, they were pretty much responsible for the rise in popularity of the 470 Nitro here in the states, BUT that was a long time ago. I'd be very curious to see what the sales of their 416 Rigby ammo have been since Hornady introduced theirs at half the price. We've been using the ammo and brass for over a year now and have no complaints with either.

Will post a pic next week of a Hornady DGX bullet cut lengthwise... I am thinking of loading it in my double for buf..

Mike

Mike.....like to see that....Woodies have gotten outrageous. Thanks.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

quote:

Originally posted by Clayman:
I'm with everyone else. Sure, Federal brought many of these old cartridges to market in the US. Hell, they were pretty much responsible for the rise in popularity of the 470 Nitro here in the states, BUT that was a long time ago. I'd be very curious to see what the sales of their 416 Rigby ammo have been since Hornady introduced theirs at half the price. We've been using the ammo and brass for over a year now and have no complaints with either.

I'd like to see the sales figures, too. It was the price of Federal .416 ammo that got me into rifle reloading.

I cannot speak of the performance of the Hornady .375 caliber bullets in the Interbond and Encapsulated on game. They were more accurate than the new DGS and DGX series and did not foul the bore like these copper washed, steel clad bullets.

In .458, 500 grain bullets, I would take the old Interbond and Encapsulated over the current DGS and DGX series. I have fired hundreds of each, and with older series at big game. I found the older series much tougher and more accurate than the newest series. Again, the brass bullets fouled much less than these newer models in .458.

Federal will have to make some adjustments if they want to stay in the DG ammo game. Hornady has really done them over. Same thing for Kynoch, Norma and Westley Richards. One reason that Federal is so expensive is that they use Norma brass in their DG calibers. If you have priced any Norma brass lately you can see why Federal ammo costs so much more than Hornady who make their own brass.

465H&H

I have been loading 480 gr woodleighs and the new 480 gr Hornady DG bullets in my 450 NE. I have found the Hornady's to be very accurate in my rifle. Group off hand in the black bull at 25 yards. I went so far as to buy five boxes of softs and two of solids for my Nabibian buffalo and elephant hunt.

It always amazes me that people that spend big $$ on safaris are so concerned about the cost of the ammo that they will use. The ammo cost will be one of the smallest costs associated with a hunt. So what if you have to spend an extra $100 to use the best ammo. If that is such an issue- stay home and or stop whining..

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana1:
It always amazes me that people that spend big $$ on safaris are so concerned about the cost of the ammo that they will use. The ammo cost will be one of the smallest costs associated with a hunt. So what if you have to spend an extra $100 to use the best ammo. If that is such an issue- stay home and or stop whining..

There's a difference between purchasing quality and PISSING MONEY AWAY. That's what you're doing if you buy Federal. If you are into giving money away, PM me for my address.

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana1:
It always amazes me that people that spend big $$ on safaris are so concerned about the cost of the ammo that they will use. The ammo cost will be one of the smallest costs associated with a hunt. So what if you have to spend an extra $100 to use the best ammo. If that is such an issue- stay home and or stop whining..

There's a difference between purchasing quality and PISSING MONEY AWAY. That's what you're doing if you buy Federal. If you are into giving money away, PM me for my address.

No one ( especially me) likes to piss money away. However if one is pleased with a certain product and is willing to pay for it, than they should have no complaint about the cost. If it costs to much- dont buy it....simple, but then dont complain, when you get poor results with a cheaper product.
Old saying-" you get what you pay for."

and so as the name of this website goes - accurate RELOADING