Hornady 7 PRC Factory Ammo Inconsistencies

[doctorjj]

I understand all of this Hornady marketing BS also... so please don't mis-understand me.
I'm aware that this isn't the first Hornady cartridge issue.
I'm not looking for factory ammo.
I'm not looking for load data.
I'm not looking for a 7PRC.

Just posting another comment about how a young man's expectations weren't met after reading and hearing all the greatness of the 7 PRC.
He would have been better off with a 7 Rem Mag, 30-06 or 270 since he doesn't load his own.

This all seems like a lot of words and effort to just bash Hornady and to brag on your SAUM

 

[Starbuck]

Gotta check lot numbers when buying factory ammo. Especially these days when component availability is so inconsistent. I learned this year's ago and now buy at least a case at time if planning to burn factory fodder in a rig. A case - 200 rounds - isn't much shooting when practicing for far off shots on game. Less than 5 boxes of ammo burned in prep for a hunt with a new rig seems way light to me, but maybe the person referenced in the OP does enough shooting to be competent.

While less than ideal, the situation described by the OP isn't Hornady's fault. They're trying to keep ammo on the shelves during challenging times.

Not saying it's the best, but I've shot thousands of rounds of OEM Hornady ammo; most of it shot great and produced the intended results. Likewise with Hornady components.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Unfortunately I've had the same problem with Hornady factory loaded Match ammo.

 

[Roughrice]

This all seems like a lot of words and effort to just bash Hornady and to brag on your SAUM

Sir!
If you have a 7PRC and have used factory 175 Precision Hunter ammo from different lots you already know what I'm saying.
If not… I suggest you read up a bit more.
Nothing new about the PRC issues starting with brass. That's another long story.

If you read my post well… you'll notice I said he's a young guy who bought in to the propaganda and uses factory ammo which was a GREAT disappointment!
I did also say that the problem can be fixed with hand loading… which he's doesn't.

 

[Rosebud]

I've never been a fan of Hornadys ammo. Their bullets are good, ammo, not so much. More failure to fire from Hornady than any other American brand. That being said, I have some LE only .223 55 grain Vmax urban sniper ammo that is astounding, as good or better than I can load. I think they are rushing ammo out the door ASAP.

 

[JamesWilson5]

I have a 7 prc ruger american 24 inch barrel factory ammunition was just a little shy of 2750 fps I can load it ver close to 3000 fps with 175 eldx. But a 26 inch barrel would help alot

 

[HRM Johnny]

Ok.
To start…my young neighbor (in south Louisiana) planned an elk hunt in Idaho and ordered an Alamo Precision Custom 22" 7PRC for his hunt.
He came to my range for break in, sighting and dope gathering.
Very nice, well fit rifle with a NF NX8 4-32x50 F2 scope .
He had 2 boxes of 175 ELDX Precision Hunters for break-in and sighting.
Velocity hung around 2830 fps for the day.

The following week he picked up 3 more boxes of the same ammo and came back for dope charts before leaving for his hunt.
As soon as he fired the first round, we looked at each other in amazement that the velocity was 90 fps slower. I looked at his 3 boxes of ammo and 2 were from the same lot and one was different lot. He shot 3 from the odd lot and velocity was in the middle of the previous two lots!
Anyway… we corrected his zero and doped his drop card with the two boxes of the same lot at 2740 fps. The Alamo rifle shot very well so he's set for the hunt.

I brought my 24" 7 SAUM with 168 ABLR and
shot a few rounds while his was cooling off and was posting a steady 2920 fps.

This was my first experience with the Hornady over-gloated, magnificent 3000 fps 7 PRC!!
How in the hell can a company create such a good cartridge design and market it so confidently but load factory ammo so inconsistent that it will disappoint the proud new owner of an expensive custom rifle!

Just a rant because I'm not impressed.
I'm sure hand loading will fix this issue but for $50/ box… I'd expect more!… especially since they designed it!

I'm done...

I hope that the young man will give us a good report about his hunt in Idaho.

 

[Sergeant Stadanko]

My former department had a very high percentage of fail to fire with Hornady Ctitical defense ammo, and Hornady was less than stellar about the issue. We switched to Federal HST after that for duty ammo and had no more issues.

I love Hornady's bullets, but I would never buy any of their factory loaded ammo. Just sayin'!

 

[pavementends]

Cheap Chronographs and the internet breaking hearts. Not a shill for Hornady but the .264 in mag, 7mm Rem and even the .458 have had similar issues. Learnings, watch lot numbers and verify range data. This of course was not as big an issue when 300yds was a long shot.

 

[Tommy T]

I can certainly understand where 'initial disappointment' can happen, but it doesn't mean he has to be 'forever disappointed' get away from the Hornady ammo, and get into ammo that is a closer representation of the cartridges potential. All of the other cartridges you mentioned are also great cartridges, but the 7PRC definately has a place, and will do the job well. There are 2 or 3 custom ammo companies out there that will load for him as well.....he isn't stuck.

One other comment, finding someone to load for him would be a good idea since he chose a shorter barrelled rig. There is a lot of powder in that case, and to take full advantage of that you will probably need a faster burning powder than what factory ammo would provide. Same would be true for the other cartridges you mentioned would have been better choices.

I think he will love the rifle and performance in the end, if he just looks past the Hornady ammo

Yes you are right the 7 Prc is a great all around caliber I have 3 of them and having a 4th one beening build I shoot Berger bullets in them from 168 up to 195 and they shoot great I use n560 n570 and rl26 and retumbo , but he can get a hold of copper creek and they can have him shooting one hold at 200 yds with there hand loaded ammo good luck with your hunt oh by the way almo is a top notch rifle company I have 4 of there rifles I no all the guys there and they are good people .

 

[NotLongRange]

The funny thing is…other than shooting at targets…300 yards is still a long shot when hunting. The terrain and animals haven't changed.

I have a 7 PRC as well as a 7mm Rem Mag and 7mm Weatherby Mag. I like all 3, but the 7 PRC was designed and manufactured to shoot heavier bullets than the other two.

I haven't had any issues with Hornady factory ammunition for the 7 PRC. The 175 grain ELD-X shoots a 3/8" group in my rifle. More than good enough for me!

 

[Roughrice]

I hope that the young man will give us a good report about his hunt in Idaho.

He text me days ago that he saw good herds but no shooters during his scouting days but haven't heard from him since.
He's not a member here so I'll share his experience.

 

[lodom]

I understand all of this Hornady marketing BS also... so please don't mis-understand me.
I'm aware that this isn't the first Hornady cartridge issue.
I'm not looking for factory ammo.
I'm not looking for load data.
I'm not looking for a 7PRC.

Just posting another comment about how a young man's expectations weren't met after reading and hearing all the greatness of the 7 PRC.
He would have been better off with a 7 Rem Mag, 30-06 or 270 since he doesn't load his own.

The most consistent I've seen is federal with 175 eldx . Multiple rifles not just one.