Too much case pressure?

[Erik1972]

So I took my 6.5 PRC to the range yesterday and trying my hand at some long range shooting and reloading. So I am a newbie in the reloading world. My buddy who shoots ELR helped me load a bunch of ammo and they seem to work great. 143 ELDX with 57gr H1000 and gun shoots lights out. I had two new boxes of factory Hornady Precision Hunter 143 ELDX ammo laying there, so I decided just to shoot it for the brass. After about the 3-4th round of that factory ammo the bolt stuck after the shot. Took alot of force to open the bolt. By the next 3 shots I had to use almost all my 250 lbs to get the bolt to open. After that I left discouraged, not sure if it was the ammo or the gun. I went home and cleaned the gun thoroughly and will go back. The base of the brass is marred up now, he said Hornady brass is soft.

My buddy says its too hot and high pressure and not to use that ammo. Now I trust him completely as he has an extensive reloading background. Thought I would share and see what you all to say as well.

Thanks,

 

[justin davis]

Yea too much pressure

 

[TaperPin]

Yep, sounds like your friend called it.

 

[Dave Thomas]

Yes too much pressure. Once you start to get heavier bolt lift stop shooting that ammo. It's not getting better the more you shoot. Make sure you clean any carbon ring that might be present. Also don't leave your ammo sitting in direct sunlight it can go from being safe to completely overpressured pretty quick.

 

[EdP]

If there wasn't an obvious reason for an overpressure condition, something like Dave Thomas mentioned, I would pull the loads to get the brass and reload with your friends formula. Alternately, you might contact Hornady. Bad batches happen.