Accuracy of data on Hornady factory ammo box

[pirogue]

I haven't started reloading yet, and don't have access to a chronograph. How accurate may I expect the box stated muzzle velocity of 3150 fps on Hornady Precision Hunter 243 Win, 90 gr ELD-X, BC .410 to be with my Tikka T3X? Thanks

 

[mtnwrunner]

Not sure on that particular ammo but I shot some factory Hornady 147 eldms this last weekend and they were listed at 2695 on the box and I my chrono said they averaged 2712. So, pretty close and there are always rifle and atmospheric variables.

Randy

 

[Wrench]

Your best bet is to zero at 100 and shoot at 5-800 and answer that for yourself. The data is a best guess... but I've seen rifles with tubes that are fast and slow... its always best to field validate your own rig. You can use the box as a guess on the dope and have a spotter call your hits.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Hornady stated velocity is with a 24" barrel and your's is 22". Rough estimate is a loss of 25 fps per inch less. So figure a loss of 50 fps as a rough estimate. However, each rifle is different as is each lot of ammunition.

I have a Savage 6.5 CM (22" barrel) and it was 19 fps less than what was on the box. I have a Savage 308 Win (20" barrel) and it was 82 fps less.

 

[Newtosavage]

Not sure I've ever seen a rifle that produced velocities that exceeded those printed on the box. I've seen a few that were close, but not over.

Wrench's advice is solid though. Because BC's can also be off.

 

[pirogue]

Thanks for the responses. Good info.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Quick addition to my previous post. This just goes to demonstrate the variance in velocity even within the same box.

6.5 CM - Precision Hunter
Shot 1: 2706 fps (6 fps faster than the box)
Shot 2: 2696 fps (4 fps slower than the box)
Shot 3: 2642 fps (58 fps slower than the box)

308 Win - Precision Hunter
Shot 1: 2516 fps (84 fps slower than the box)
Shot 2: 2510 fps (90 fps slower than the box)
Shot 3: 2528 fps (72 fps slower than the box)

 

[ckleeves]

Tikka barrels are generally a little slower then others. Last week I chronoed (24” superlite) a box of Berger 135 classic hunters (6.5 creed) Berger claims 2851, the average of the box of 20 was 2701 with a ES of 47. So wayyyy slow vs the box.


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[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Tikka barrels are generally a little slower then others. Last week I chronoed (24” superlite) a box of Berger 135 classic hunters (6.5 creed) Berger claims 2851, the average of the box of 20 was 2701 with a ES of 47. So wayyyy slow vs the box.


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With Berger's numbers based upon a 26" barrel, I would have expected about 2800. Crazy to see you get another 100 fps less.

New gun or well used?

 

[ckleeves]

140 rounds thru it before those 20. I bought a bunch of the Berger ammo for the lapua brass, I got it on sale so it was basically the exact same as brass. I’ll chrono it thru my other 6.5 with a proof and see if it’s the ammo or the barrel next time I’m out. Tikkas have always been slow IME though.


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