Hornady 6.5 PRC low velocity

[Mungo]

I have been shooting a 6.5 PRC for 4 years, mostly using factory Hornady 147gr ELDM.

When I first got it, I chrono’d them at bang on the box claimed velocity - 2910 fps.

Over the last 6 months, I’ve had problems with it apparently shooting low. I chrono’d the most recent box. 2800 fps. So a nearly 100 fps drop in velocity.

Has anyone had a similar experience? I’m wondering if this is a systemic problem, just a particular lot, or something to do with my barrel.

Barrel is a 24” lothar walther, fitted new when I got the rifle.

I’d be very grateful for suggestions.

 

[Malxwal]

Just a thought, but how many rounds through it ? Could be seeing some throat erosion ?

 

[RCS Deer Management]

This is well documented with statements on YouTube from Hornady explaining how they have had to change the powders they use due to global shortages leading to lower velocity’s. 7rem mag precision hunter is currently about 250fps below box velocities.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

This is well documented with statements on YouTube from Hornady explaining how they have had to change the powders they use due to global shortages leading to lower velocity’s. 7rem mag precision hunter is currently about 250fps below box velocities.

Thats interesting - I've a .308 and experienced something similar (albeit between two different brands)

Was shooting factory Sako Game head pro at 2750ish fps. Switched to Fiocchi EPNs and velocity is 2590 fps. Both 150 grains. A friend shot his box of EPNs and they were around 2700-2800 fps.

Baffled me

 

[RCS Deer Management]

Thats interesting - I've a .308 and experienced something similar (albeit between two different brands)

Was shooting factory Sako Game head pro at 2750ish fps. Switched to Fiocchi EPNs and velocity is 2590 fps. Both 150 grains. A friend shot his box of EPNs and they were around 2700-2800 fps.

Baffled me

Manufacturers often change powders between lots of factory ammo. If you shoot ar ranges that bullet drop comes into the equation you need to chrono every new lot of ammo you get. Obviously if you only shoot out to 150m it doesn’t matter

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Manufacturers often change powders between lots of factory ammo. If you shoot ar ranges that bullet drop comes into the equation you need to chrono every new lot of ammo you get. Obviously if you only shoot out to 150m it doesn’t matter

Yeah, I've a half box of the 2590 ones left and two new boxes so will chrono when I move to the new batch number

 

[Mungo]

Just a thought, but how many rounds through it ? Could be seeing some throat erosion ?

Around 250

 

[Mungo]

This is well documented with statements on YouTube from Hornady explaining how they have had to change the powders they use due to global shortages leading to lower velocity’s. 7rem mag precision hunter is currently about 250fps below box velocities.

Ah!

That’s really interesting.

They have also become less accurate, which is a real shame.

Thank you.

 

[Ronin]

Hornady ammunition isn’t known for its consistency or accuracy of stated VO - vs actual

Buy a bunch of the same lot number and chrono it

When you buy replacement repeat …..

 

[Mungo]

Hornady ammunition isn’t known for its consistency or accuracy of stated VO - vs actual

Buy a bunch of the same lot number and chrono it

When you buy replacement repeat …..

It’s a shame: when it first came out, it was superb.

But definitely dropped off over time.

Once the current batch is finished, I’ll be shifting permanently to home loads.

 

[Malxwal]

The Precision Hunter stuff was usually a good option for testing a rifle.

 

[farrieral]

2,870 fps through my 6.5 PRC, Tikka Ace Game 24" barrel.

Low compared to box velocities yes, but its (for the time being) very accurate through my rifle and I am very happy with terminal performance on deer, so for the meantime sticking with it. Working away on a lead free load in the background.

As said above its quite well documented that the PRC loadings are sub par when it comes to stated velocity!

 

[Mungo]

The Precision Hunter stuff was usually a good option for testing a rifle.

I was using the Precision Hunter in my Creedmoor until quite recently. This was always very slow but consistently accurate.

 

[Wsm]

Same findings.PRC chronoing at 2800 but excellent grouping

 

[Mungo]

Same findings.PRC chronoing at 2800 but excellent grouping

What barrel length?

 

[Wsm]

22" (had a crown issue on a 24" so cut it down.The old batch of Hornady was only registering a 75fps drop off but the new batch is spot on 2800

The copper 130's are the same with a 200fps drop off.They're also very accurate

I also reload a Peregrine bullet with RS and the velocities are far higher

 

[Mungo]

22" (had a crown issue on a 24" so cut it down.The old batch of Hornady was only registering a 75fps drop off but the new batch is spot on 2800

The copper 130's are the same with a 200fps drop off.They're also very accurate

I also reload a Peregrine bullet with RS and the velocities are far higher

What’s your Peregrine load? And was it hard to find accuracy?

 

[Wsm]

I'll have to look it up because I drifted away back to the ease of factory and the old memory isn't what it use to be but yes I can remember it being a long winded affair

My reloads although faster were never any better accuracy wise that the Hornadys which have been literally one enlarged hole

 

[finnbear270]

I'll have to look it up because I drifted away back to the ease of factory and the old memory isn't what it use to be but yes I can remember it being a long winded affair

My reloads although faster were never any better accuracy wise that the Hornadys which have been literally one enlarged hole

My findings on factory accuracy of Hornady also, unable to better accuracy using home loads, 143 grain ELDX

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

If only you had a local gunshop that could make you some super fast and accurate ammo....

Seriously though, all ammo manufacturers suffer from lot to lot variance
100fps is the kind of ES you can expect from a single box of factory stuff sometimes

Is that REEEAAAAALLLLLLY the reason you missed?......