Hornady Light Magnum Ballistics Bull**** or real?
- Thread starter Zorro
- Start date
Poodleshooter
New member
Their ammo runs about 100-200fps faster than competitors ammo of the same bullet size. Turns a .308 into a 30/06 and so on. This is due to their proprietary powder. If you cut one open, you'll find that the powder is basically a solid chunk of caked together powder grains.
I have tried the LM in 6.5x55 with 129grn load.
I have reloaded the 129grn pill for a while and am a great fan of Hornady bullets. However, was looking for a little more 'umph' and thought I'd try a box.
They shot quite well in my Tikka - noticeably increased thump on the shoulder ( before I fitted a muzzle brake ) - which was to be expected given stated uplift in velocity.
Didn't open one up, but noted there was no rowder 'rattle' when a round was shaken.
Then chronographed...
Very consistent - 10 shot spread ran to 12 fps, average vel was 2594.
My reload ( Reloader 19 ) runs 2580! Far from top end load.
By contrast the Norma load with a 140grain Partition ran 2630.
I have reloaded the 129grn pill for a while and am a great fan of Hornady bullets. However, was looking for a little more 'umph' and thought I'd try a box.
They shot quite well in my Tikka - noticeably increased thump on the shoulder ( before I fitted a muzzle brake ) - which was to be expected given stated uplift in velocity.
Didn't open one up, but noted there was no rowder 'rattle' when a round was shaken.
Then chronographed...
Very consistent - 10 shot spread ran to 12 fps, average vel was 2594.
My reload ( Reloader 19 ) runs 2580! Far from top end load.
By contrast the Norma load with a 140grain Partition ran 2630.
rugerfreak
New member
Its BULL---in .270 Win. at least---Using a Weatherby in .270 Win. with 24 in. barrel and my buddy's chrono.
We clocked Hornady Custom 140 gn. loads actually going 10 fps faster than the 140 gn. light magnun---no we didn't get the loads confused----The custom loads did the exact speed listed on the box they came in.
If your using a .270 get the cheaper loads---the light magnums are all hype.
We clocked Hornady Custom 140 gn. loads actually going 10 fps faster than the 140 gn. light magnun---no we didn't get the loads confused----The custom loads did the exact speed listed on the box they came in.
If your using a .270 get the cheaper loads---the light magnums are all hype.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Changing brands: I've tried the Federal Premium "High Energy", 165-grain in .30-'06, and the shoulder-thump is a bit greater. Emails from a guy in Australia stated his chronograph agreed with Mr. Federal.
I used one on a 60-yard coyote, and I gotta say it was indeed ruinacious.
FWIW, Art
I used one on a 60-yard coyote, and I gotta say it was indeed ruinacious.
FWIW, Art
Deaf Smith
New member
It is for real, but one big warning... It does its thing by streaching out the burn curve, that is, it keeps the pressure up all the way down the barrel, near max pressure. If you shoot light magnums out of a gas operated simi-auto, you can run into real real bad problems, like KABOOM. That is because the gas system is not set up for such higher pressure at the gas port.
Do not use it in M1 Garands, or Browing BARs (either hunting or military), or any rifle that is gas operated.
Deaf
Do not use it in M1 Garands, or Browing BARs (either hunting or military), or any rifle that is gas operated.
Deaf
I read a post on another board from a very serious rifle shooter. I had been on that board for a number of years and know that this guy was the real deal. He extensively tested the Hornady Light Magnums and said they were everything they were cracked up to be. He was very impressed by them. In fact I belive he said something like, This is what we as hand loaders should be striving for. If I remember correctly, this guy has a very impressive handloading website. Not just pet loads but deep theory on ballistics. Since I can't remember for sure if it is him, I will not post the address. I believe I remember him saying that this increase in velocity was more pronunced in some calibers than others. I know that I have some loads in several calibers that out perform the Hornady Light Magnums advertised velocities.
Now the disclaimer: I have never personally fired one, let alone chronoed one.
Now the disclaimer: I have never personally fired one, let alone chronoed one.
To clarify earlier posting.
Running about a two/ three dozen factory loads in .223,.243, .308, .30-06, 7mm-08 etc etc, That Norma load was the closest of the lot to the stated ballistics.
In some instances, VERY reputable brands actually failed to meet the Scottish minimum velocity for deer.
Are Hornady et al liars, sharlatans and junk merchants - I don't believe so.
As stated, I am a great fan of their bullets.
Their quoted velocity is from a specific launch vehicle, at a specific location and weather etc. Sure, they are selling a product so are going to err on the generous side. However, everyone's rifle is going to vary as is the storage and use temperatures etc etc. such that duplicating that performance become quite unlikely.
I think it is this combination that polarises users - some get poor performance, others bang ( no pun ) on the money.
Ultimate questions are - is it safe, does it deliver want you want - eg knock down power, swift kill, accuracy, all three etc, are you confident in it.
In one instance, a stalker swore by a very high quality German brand in .243. He concluded that the velocity - 3000fps was the key factor in this round 'outperforming ' ( in his view ) brands x,y & z. Over the chrono it went - from his rifle, the bullet just made 2700 fps. To avoid a fight we borrowed another chrono and tried it again!
He was very disappointed. However, he was quite correct - performance on his target - Roe deer - was excellent. Whilst his confidence was shaken, I urged him to remember that very few deer read any ballistic data books and I have yet to see one carrying a chronograph.
Key issue for the chargrin of the ammo purchaser is whether he feels he is getting what he paid for.
Running about a two/ three dozen factory loads in .223,.243, .308, .30-06, 7mm-08 etc etc, That Norma load was the closest of the lot to the stated ballistics.
In some instances, VERY reputable brands actually failed to meet the Scottish minimum velocity for deer.
Are Hornady et al liars, sharlatans and junk merchants - I don't believe so.
As stated, I am a great fan of their bullets.
Their quoted velocity is from a specific launch vehicle, at a specific location and weather etc. Sure, they are selling a product so are going to err on the generous side. However, everyone's rifle is going to vary as is the storage and use temperatures etc etc. such that duplicating that performance become quite unlikely.
I think it is this combination that polarises users - some get poor performance, others bang ( no pun ) on the money.
Ultimate questions are - is it safe, does it deliver want you want - eg knock down power, swift kill, accuracy, all three etc, are you confident in it.
In one instance, a stalker swore by a very high quality German brand in .243. He concluded that the velocity - 3000fps was the key factor in this round 'outperforming ' ( in his view ) brands x,y & z. Over the chrono it went - from his rifle, the bullet just made 2700 fps. To avoid a fight we borrowed another chrono and tried it again!
He was very disappointed. However, he was quite correct - performance on his target - Roe deer - was excellent. Whilst his confidence was shaken, I urged him to remember that very few deer read any ballistic data books and I have yet to see one carrying a chronograph.
Key issue for the chargrin of the ammo purchaser is whether he feels he is getting what he paid for.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
I should have added that my Australian correspondent uses 26" barrels, supporting Sam's comment...
Art
Art