Hornaday is using a "special" loading technique to get velocities that are hard to get with the best handloads. How do they do it? Any inside information?
Their velocities are "hard to get" with handloads only if you believe the printed velocities. Actually velocities out of 22 and 24 inch barrels are much better than standard factory loads, but fall short of advertised velocities.
Their loading methodology is no big secret. They use slower than typical powders heavily compressed. If you do the same thing, you will find similar results. The powders they use are usually similar to regular handloader powders, but may not be canister grade. Still, they are of similar chemical energy. Also, they load to the full SAAMI maximum pressure. Add it all up and it equals the velocities you always knew were achievable with proper loads in a given cartridge.
Posts: 13232 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001
I have some of the Hornady Heavy mags in 458 and their load is not heavily compressed. I would say mildly compressed. The load is 74.5 gr of some kind of ball powder with a 500 gr Hornady brass jacketed solid. Also I have a friend with an Encore Pistol in 375 H & H mag with a 14 inch barrel and the Hornady Heavy Mags in 270 gr gives 100 fps more velocity than the other Factory loads he tried. So remember nothing is written in stone about the Heavy Mags. Try them first before you pass on them irreguardless what your barrel length is.
Some, such as the 7x57, I can duplicate with a hot load, but some I cannot, such as the 30-06 which I get a good 2950 FPS plus with a 180 gr. in the Hornady fac round....My best handload is about 2800 FPS with the same bullet and a good warm handload in the same 30-06.....
I just used the 7-08 139gr. SST Light Magnum on a good 3X4 here in Nevada. I used them in my Model 7 and have no idea what velocity I get, but wanted to use the SST and didn't have time to develop a load. They shoot honest 1" 3 shot groups. Mine aren't compressed at all! I don't know what to make of that - anyone have any ideas? Held a little high at a lasered 350 yards uphill and just went through the base of the neck instead of dropping into the chest, so no real test on the bullet performance.
I purchased two boxes of Hornady Light Mag .30/06 to shoot for accuracy/velocity in my 22" bbl Ruger All-weather. This just to see how they worked when compared to my best handload. The results, in my rifle, were excellent and I now have a case of ammo from the same lot.
Gentlemen, I have used the .303 British Light Magnum 150 gr. load extensively. It works!! It has resulted in more than a few deer, and a very nice black bear. It seems to have as much velocity for me as any .308 150 gr. load and almost as much as some .30-06 factory loads. I also like the interlock bullet...
The bit about having to use a 24" barrel doesn't wash in my experience.
I chronographed the Hornady Light Magnum .308 WInchester 165 grain BTSP load in a 22" barrel Winchester M70 Featherweight. Listed factory 24" test barrel velocity is 2880 fps. My 22" barrel rifle achieved 2883 fps in 80 F. temperatures.
Posts: 380 | Location: America the Beautiful | Registered: 23 May 2001
