Officially done with Hornady

[Skylerbone]

Cycling of the spring is what weakens it which isn't a good thing. Leaving ammo in the mag. isn't good either. As stated above, and of particular importance in rounds you suspect have inadequate crimp (or those loosened with multiple chamberings) these rounds are subjected to recoil every time the weapon fires, reminiscent of a kinetic hammer.

I don't disagree with your solution smalls but again, we're talking about a company with a proven track record. On the opposite end of the spectrum we know little about you (no offense). It may be that Hornady uses less crimp than other brands you've tried or that bullet profile or OAL was less conducive to set-back in your pistols. I don't see that as a shortcoming of the ammo but rather of the pistol. It's not uncommon, most don't really "eat everything", most owners just don't try, care or notice what you have noticed.

 

[smalls]

Just for the heck, try some of Hornady's New Critical Duty, its supposed to have a thicker jacket. It might work better, maybe worth a try. I bought a box of 135gr. +P, but haven't had a chance to try them yet. LM

I wanted to try some, and I still might. We'll see if I can get a box of it locally for a decent price.

Skylerborne, you're right, it could be that my guns just don't like Hornady stuff. But either way, I'm not going to try to make them work in my guns with bullet pullers, and re crimping, etc.

As far as the recoil beating them up, these are also factory fresh out of the box rounds. As in, when I came home from the range, I opened up a brand new box, loaded up a mag, and chambered a round. I later found that first round all messed up.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

To help prevent the same thing the OP is having problems with. Even chambering gently the bullet gets jarred a little bit. Just figured it was safer to switch to a fresh cartridge every now and then. It also makes me work the spring in the mag by unloading a few then loading it back up.

The bullet won't get set back from just sitting in the chamber. I've had the same round loaded in my XD for over a month without problems.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If you're just determined to run rounds through the chambering process over and over, get a taper crimp die and put a little muscle on them.

Personally, I leave a carry gun loaded, and shoot my carry ammo so I always have fresh ammo.

 

[bbooker]

Cycling of the spring is what weakens it which isn't a good thing. Leaving ammo in the mag. isn't good either. As stated above, and of particular importance in rounds you suspect have inadequate crimp (or those loosened with multiple chamberings) these rounds are subjected to recoil every time the weapon fires, reminiscent of a kinetic hammer.

I don't disagree with your solution smalls but again, we're talking about a company with a proven track record. On the opposite end of the spectrum we know little about you (no offense). It may be that Hornady uses less crimp than other brands you've tried or that bullet profile or OAL was less conducive to set-back in your pistols. I don't see that as a shortcoming of the ammo but rather of the pistol. It's not uncommon, most don't really "eat everything", most owners just don't try, care or notice what you have noticed.

Isn't a mag made to keep loaded. Don't think that matters at all. Have had a HK for carry that has been loaded for 12 years almost every day. no problems with mag.

 

[blarby]

Carry ammo ?

9mm ?

COR-BON

 

[smalls]

I also like my carry ammo to be readily available. I've never seen CorBon on a shelf. My LGS might have it, but I don't want to know their prices on it.

 

[blarby]

Carry ammo expensive ?

You could always use Lesters !

Not surprising, but its all over the LGS stores here.......

 

[North Bender]

It kinda looks like the full dia shank hit a zero depth throat and jammed it in.

Huh?

I read the entire link. The most painful thing to me, a person who buys ammo and trys to support ammo manufacturers, is when a person chimes in to slam one of our premier American ammo companies saying their ammo is no good. Did you contact the company first? Hornady is a great established manufacturer. I had a squib round once of theirs and querried them; they sent a pre-paid UPS package to pick up the rest of the box for examination and replaced the rounds for free.

Ammo on a production line is made with tolerances. They determined the amount of crimp to use based on several factors. There are posts on this link that address factors that may help your pistol feed these rounds and bring it back to normal tolerances - such as modifications to the feed ramp. You ask why should I modify the feed ramp to make these work? Because your pistol may be way outside the spec the bullet is manufactured for.

Take it easy on our best ammo manufacturers. They will work with you.

 

[smalls]

Like I stated before, I haven't contacted them about this incident, but have contacted them about a similar incident in the past. I wasn't happy with their response, so I declined to contact them again.

I decided to give Hornady another chance, with a new carry pistol I recently purchased.
As far as I'm concerned, They don't make a product that I'm happy with. It has nothing to do with being a good ol' American company, or whatever.

I'm not going to modify my firearm, just so that I support Hornady ammunition. That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. There are plenty of other ammunition companies that are compatible with my gun so far, and I'll use them, instead. That's all I'm saying.

 

[ironhead7544]

You can get bad ammo from any maker.

Auto pistol ammo is made to go up the feed ramp once. There is one gun maker that will void your warranty if you rechamber a round.

With carry ammo, I dont chamber the first round from the magazine for this reason. I have seen a lot of loose first rounds from doing it that way repeatedly.

I drop the round into the chamber and then let the slide go forward with just the right amount of force to chamber. This will not hurt the extractor if it is has the proper clearance. Using this method, its a good idea to change the first round out when it shows a lot of nicks in it.

 

[ku4hx]

Did you contact the company first? Hornady is a great established manufacturer. I had a squib round once of theirs and querried them; they sent a pre-paid UPS package to pick up the rest of the box for examination and replaced the rounds for free.

In 2009, I contacted Hornady to buy a part for a set of loading dies I bought in 1991. I broke the depriming stem right where the threads end. The set of dies were well out of warranty and the breakage was my fault.

Hornady told me not to be concerned about purchasing a part; they'd just send one. Less than a week later I had the new stem and a pack of replacement depriming pins.

Good folks those Hornady people.

 

[smalls]

Ironhead, did you read the whole thread?

I stated that the bullet pictured was chambered ONCE. Not multiple times, like my previous experience with another one of Hornady's products.

And just because they're a bunch of nice guys doesn't mean I'll buy stuff from them.

 

[Skylerbone]

A few things I'd like to address. First, for those who chamber load it isn't a good practice. If you let the slide drop gently you're still flexing the tip beyond its normal range and you will lose tension. For those who slam the slide down you also risk breaking the extractor tip. Both situations make for a less reliable firearm overall.

On ammo selection, it's vitally important to choose what works in your firearm. That much smalls (the OP) understands and it is perfectly acceptable to many people. For others (myself included) a sincere effort is put forth to ensure reliable feed with as many brands and styles of ammo as is possible. Both valid practices, both proactive, one more so than the other.

While I did earlier give the benefit of doubt to Hornady based on my own limited experience with their handgun ammo, others' reviews and many years of hand loading with Hornady products. That is not to say they are infallible, I experienced failure with their Superformance line personally. After horrendous accuracy issues with two rifles and finally a case head separation a call was placed. The ammo was sent back and replaced with Hornady Custom with an apology.

My only contention throughout is that it's usually the gun (not always) and while more difficult to correct than switching ammo, is a worthwhile venture. That is part of total reliability in my mind.

 

[smalls]

But, not exactly cost effective.

And, my opinion is that this is faulty ammo. You may agree, or disagree, but it'd be pointless to try and "fix" my gun to work with crappy ammo.

 

[RickMD]

There are plenty of other ammunition companies that are compatible with my gun so far, and I'll use them, instead.

Excellent idea. Why didn't you do that in the first place instead of bashing a quality, reputable company that the vast majority of us have had noting but good experiences with?

 

[Sam Cade]

If you're just determined to run rounds through the chambering process over and over, get a taper crimp die and put a little muscle on them.

That would work for normal people. For the outliers, you have this:



http://www.dlsports.com/pistol-ammo-more-durable.html

 

[Skylerbone]

I'd sooner choose correction as cost effective over the price of failure. Again smalls, I don't disagree with finding another brand that works for your pistols. That is not a "wrong" solution, rather sensible in many cases. What I choose is relatively inexpensive but has the potential for mistakes if done incorrectly.

Feeds wadcutters, semi-wadcutters, empty cases, hollow points, flat points and fmj for the price of sandpaper, a dowel and some patience.

The aforementioned Hornady minus the 4 boxes that were shipped back. That's .300 Win. Mag., not cheap by any stretch. My father put so much faith in the ammo it blinded him to other possibilities but in this case there was no doubt. 9" groups shrunk to sub MOA with Winchester and Federal loads, confirmed by 3 competent shooters.

 

[ironhead7544]

Yes, I read the whole thread. That could be a bad round or a bad box. Im not faulting you for switching ammo. Function must be 100% and you must have confidence in what you use. I was pointing out that you may find defective ammo at any time.

 

[smalls]

RickMD, I'm not exactly bashing Hornady. I'm sharing my experience. God forbid anyone speak ill of the almighty Hornady...

Sam, that looks really cool. Just out of curiosity, do you now the price?

Ironhead, you're right, with my luck, I suppose I really could have picked up 4 boxes (between CD and the new stuff) of bad ammo. No sarcasm intended, sometimes that really is my kind of luck.

 

[Skylerbone]

Take heart smalls. I don't think you're crazy, I think you're on the right track. Most guys don't catch problems until it's critical. There's plenty of choice out there and hopefully you'll find a better for you choice locally.

I do hope you'll take up reloading soon too. It's amazing how much fun a few friends can have when one of them can bring 500-600 rounds to the range for the price of a couple boxes of store bought.

 

[Bovice]

I have had excellent experience with Hornady TAP pistol ammo. Not so much a fan of the FTX stuff. I checked my OALs before and after chambering and unloading a round a few times. I didn't see any change, but that was the TAP ammo using the XTP bullet.

 

[smalls]

I know, I really hope to get into reloading, soon. The start up costs are holding me back. Every time I go "I should go ahead and buy that press", I go buy ammo and go shooting, instead

 

[HKGuns]

Good, that means more product for me.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

i read this thread and it put me to thinking(dangerous) lol i keep my springfield v10 loaded with zombiemax(i don't think its cool its SD ammo in my book) i checked OAL and chambered and checked it again it was the same. now this is 45acp.

OP:try some winchester SD ammo i've never had a single issue with there ammo i like there Ranger HP for my glock .40 infact cdnn has a good deal on it if you buy in bulk.

i've owned several fireamrs that were very picky about ammo.heck i had a TC encore that shot awfull groups untill i bought some federal fusion and it shot sub moa with that stuff lol go figure.and i've owned some that don't seem to care what ammo you feed them