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.

 

[Jon L]

I’d contact Hornady so they can work with you to get the ammo returned, tested and dispositioned accordingly.

 

[stratofisher]

Not sure how many shots you have gone without cleaning, but 60 rounds in my 6.5 PRC and carbon ring starts to form causing pressure signs. Clean it up and it is back to shooting.

 

[Erik1972]

Thanks for al the advice. Will clean and head back out!!

 

[Smithb9841]

Not sure how many shots you have gone without cleaning, but 60 rounds in my 6.5 PRC and carbon ring starts to form causing pressure signs. Clean it up and it is back to shooting.

Same with my 6.5prc. I’ve never counted how many rounds I can get between cleaning but I see pressure out of nowhere with my same reloads, clean it up and good to go as well.

 

[Nine Banger]

I wondered if the ammo was sitting in the sun too.

I'm 400 rounds into my 6.5 PRC barrel with no cleaning and hope the carbon ring thing is a red herring.

 

[Nine Banger]

PS: 57gr H1000 is my load for 147 ELD. It's strong and I'm committed to it but it's very close to over pressure in an 18" barrel at sea level. Every now and then I'll get one that feels a little extra but I use a Harrel's Precision powder drop for charges.