Thread: 7mmprc precision hunter inconsistent fps

7mm prc I'm getting up 85fps difference in the same box is this normal ?

For a high end round i was expecting something more like 20 or 30 fps differences?

When we're loading our own, if we want consistent velocities, then we use quality brass with individually weighed charges of temp stable single based powders.

The same rules apply to factories making ammunition too, regardless of whether the ammo eventually costs $1 or $10 per round to buy.

Feedback I'm getting from customers seems to be that they're getting much better results using the Federal offerings.

Thanks for the info will look into that $180 a box for federal is getting up there ! Lucky the miss dosent go in the safe !

it is the norm for hornady precision hunter ammo these days,(terrible stuff)6.5 prc last box I got had close to 80 fps difference and was on average 100fps slower than the box specd speed.contacted hornady with some data to boot and they just blamed my chrono.google it and its common knowledge what's going on with certain hornady ammo and they have admitted they changed powders which is the cause.

Originally Posted by 7mmhunter

7mm prc I'm getting up 85fps difference in the same box is this normal ?

For a high end round i was expecting something more like 20 or 30 fps differences?

Hornady ammo isnt high end. Its mid range with good marketing. Not budget or high end. Price is usually not quite as high as norma, nosler, the federal premium, or berger options but more than ppu etc. Or atleast it used to be back in the day.

The other thing to be aware of with the Horny 175 eldx 7PRC ammo is that the first shipment that came to NZ had three different types of powder loaded in em so there can be big variables in speed & POI between batches.

Changing powder is one thing (to reduce pressure ? Or ‘cos Federal shorted them on RL26?) but for any commercial manufacturer of ammo to have 150fps variation within a box of 20 rounds is unforgivable & potentially dangerous. Just taking the piss really. And it’s not like there ain’t some good alternative powders for 7PRC.
Wish Hornady would put the same effort and resources into their products/quality as they do into their marketing.

If you shooting deer at long ranges even well made reloads are expensive components are bloody dear and we all load and never factor labour. 200 bucks for 10 dead deer is fucken cheap compared to a kerosene taxi ride, New swaro scope or a thermal.

There was thread on same issue a year or so ago. Rounds pulled had different powder in different batches too.

Originally Posted by chainsaw

Changing powder is one thing (to reduce pressure ? Or ‘cos Federal shorted them on RL26?) but for any commercial manufacturer of ammo to have 150fps variation within a box of 20 rounds is unforgivable & potentially dangerous. Just taking the piss really. And it’s not like there ain’t some good alternative powders for 7PRC.
Wish Hornady would put the same effort and resources into their products/quality as they do into their marketing.

How is it dangerous if top end is still below top pressure???? Hells teeth we have got precious in last few years. It's not that long ago a 150fps spread was normal if not good and anything under 50 was top notch. Manufacturing folk are adverse to being sued so ALL ammunition will be below saami pressure levels or lawyers would have a field day.

I still got an ES of 69 fps over 15 shots with the federal premium ammunition. Admittedly this was very early in the barrel life so that may have been a contributor. It grouped very well at 100yd but went straight to hand loads after that.

I'm not sure what the quality of the brass is like that federal uses, but I got some pretty heavy ejector stamps on maybe 1/3 of the factory rounds.

Originally Posted by Edunn

I still got an ES of 69 fps over 15 shots with the federal premium ammunition. Admittedly this was very early in the barrel life so that may have been a contributor. It grouped very well at 100yd but went straight to hand loads after that.

I'm not sure what the quality of the brass is like that federal uses, but I got some pretty heavy ejector stamps on maybe 1/3 of the factory rounds.

@Edunn What was the speed like? Generally found federal to be up there on the speed unlike some other brands

How is it dangerous? Good question & you’re right that given recent batches of Hornady ammo have been “milder loads” then there’s little risk. But earlier batches which were “up there” at max velocity & pressure?? Combine a warm batch with 150fps error in your manufacturing process….. well I for one would not want to the person be pulling the trigger. 150fps error indicates shite control on the process. That’s got be more than a grain or 2. Maybe you might accept that in old milsurp ammo but in modern production processes, nah no way.

I pulled some precision hunter rounds and from memory they varied by about a grain through the packet. So not very precise at all. Remember it’s all about the marketing and keeping profits up.

Yep I was aware of this so was buying in batch lots to try and avoid