What do you wish factory ammunition offered?

[WCB]

Good idea, but I would suggest 22". Better yet, as others have suggested, provide that data for several barrel lengths - especially those super magnum over-bore loads with a lot of "wallop" (LOL).

The change in bullet velocity per inch of barrel length variation is materially lower at longer barrel lengths vs. shorter. So, if I had to pick ONE barrel length it would probably be 22" because most people who shoot factory ammo for big game hunting will have a 20-24" barrel. Manufacturers would prefer to use 24" to show higher velocities.

However, the more I think about this, given the velocity differential between different barrels (regardless of barrel length) I would tend to say that anyone who needs or wants that much velocity precision should just buy one of those new Garmin Xero's. I have one (I also have an older traditional Chronograph). The XERO's are so easy to use and so compact, I'd say that is the way to go because if you think you need better velocity precision than what is currently being supplied by OEM, then the hunter probably owes it to themselves to get the number RIGHT from their own rifle. I wonder what Formidilosus thinks about my comment.

The VAST MAJORITY of calibers are tested with a 24" barrel because that is what the SAAMI standard is. The are all built to the exact same specifications and mostly bought from the same companies. Certain calibers like the new 7BackCountry is approved for SAAMI testing out of a 20" barrel so that is what the online or box data shows. It isn't about manufacturer preference it is about industry standard. Any company that posts velocities out of a different length barrel generally will note that.

Either way you shake it to get a proper dope the ammo must be shot out of the individual firearms.

And on a separate subject. Why the hell would companies post information out of a specific manufacturer like TIKKA? The majority of rifle are not TIKKAs? Where do some of you guys come up with stuff?

 

[Goonr]

I wish they offered lower prices

I came in here to say the same!

 

[Pilsner]

Its funny cause most this wishlist is data that they already have. Its mind boggling that companies wouldn't want to do this. I feel like educating the consumer the advantages of this wouldn't be that hard.

And it could all be done by putting a simple QR code on the back of each box linked to Lot number specific. For Christ's sake they put QR codes on individual avocados to show which farm and farmer harvested them. So expecting Hornady or Nosler to do it isn't a big ask.
-Doc

 

[Pilsner]

If you're open to broader suggestions...

1) Don't try to compete on cost - you'll never be a cheaper commodity-grade ammo supplier than any US manufacturer, let alone any of the Brazilian, Turkish, or Eastern European companies. You just can't out-walmart any company that has scale.

2) Niche hard. For many reasons, but first and foremost is to get a beachhead income stream with an audience of people who will become absolutely evangelical for your ammo. Find that audience, cater to it in a way that makes them exceedingly happy on quality or performance properties, and own that niche.

3) Don't dilute your quality or brand by chasing other things. Don't be General Motors offering all things to all people. Be Lamborghini.

4) Make building relationships and building tribe a key part of that niche work.

If you want a specific suggestion...

There may be a niche right here in being the absolute best manufacturer of high-performance, match-grade hunting .223 ammo on the planet. Other companies offer good loadings, but nobody focuses on providing the absolute best lineup of world-class .223 hunting ammo. Own that niche. It's wide open. Build the quality and provide the data, provide a handful of offerings meant to be the absolute best possible, iterate, and build a following by being dedicated and accessible.

Isn't that the basic business model of Horizon Firearms and "their" 22 Creedmor round and rifles? In partnership with Hornaday's marketing machine anyways.
-Doc

 

[Pilsner]

They wouldn’t have to print all the data people want on the box (if they did want to publicize the data…). Just publish it to a website by lot number where you could go search the lot number of the ammo you bought, or plan to buy, and see what the data looked like.

See my comment about QR codes.
-Doc

 

[RockAndSage]

Isn't that the basic business model of Horizon Firearms and "their" 22 Creedmor round and rifles? In partnership with Hornaday's marketing machine anyways.
-Doc

Yeah...you might say Horizon pulled off a grand-slam for a small company in how they made that happen.

 

[43.6N]

Load TMK and Berger bullets
Print your powder charge and lot number on the box.
Give velocity for 18” and 24” barrels.
@IdahoPrecision welcome to RS

 

[Dave0317]

If you are still looking for ideas. The new TMKs in 6mm are sure to be a hit this year. .243 loaded with the them would be great.

And another idea I was thinking of. Some people mentioned lower cost ammo.

Maybe it would be possible to do a premium hunting/target line up using stuff like TMKs, but then also have a cheaper line of ammo that is more basic HPBT bullets or even a classic hunter line that is loaded with the old Sierra Gameking spritzer point boat tail type bullets. Would be easy to market those to eastern hunters or guys that won’t shoot beyond 3 or 400 yards. A more affordable line, but still better than most of the options on a wal mart shelf.