Factory 5.56 Hornady 73 ELD M too hot?

[232593]

About 5 years ago I bought a bunch of Hornady 5.56 73 grain ELD M ammo. It shot under an MOA in the Stag Varminter with the 5.56 chambered 24” 1:8 barrel.

I didn’t see any of the usual pressure signs so I bought a shitload more.

I took it out recently and tested it again with a different rifle with Krieger 1:7 24” barrel, 5.56 chamber.

It grouped about the same as before. No flattened or cratered primers.

Is this ammo too hot? Am I prematurely wearing out components?

 

[RTH1800]

I have had this issue with Hornady TAP ammo. Blew every primer in every rifle I shot it in.
Hornady dismissed it with an “Oh in your CUSTOM rifle..”

They took no responsibility and seemed unaware of their liability.

 

[232593]

I have had this issue with Hornady TAP ammo. Blew every primer in every rifle I shot it in.
Hornady dismissed it with an “Oh in your CUSTOM rifle..”

They took no responsibility and seemed unaware of their liability.

I never had any blown or even flattened primers with this ammo.

 

[Ledzep]

What chronograph? Does it pencil out to your down-range dope at longer distances?

That seems a LOT fast.

 

[232593]

What chronograph? Does it pencil out to your down-range dope at longer distances?

That seems a LOT fast.

First chronograph was a magnetospeed 2nd was the Garmin

Yes it does match up to the dope StrelokPro generates.

 

[RTH1800]

Can you measure case head expansion? That will tell if brass is flowing.

 

[232593]

Can you measure case head expansion? That will tell if brass is flowing.

Later this evening

 

[hlee]

Does the box list a MV? How does that compare to the measured numbers?

If I’m not mistaken @Ledzep works with/for Hornady…

 

[232593]

Does the box list a MV? How does that compare to the measured numbers?

If I’m not mistaken @Ledzep works with/for Hornady…

I don’t have it in front of me now but I think it was 2950 or so.

 

[Ledzep]

223 Rem 73 gr ELD® Match - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

...

www.hornady.com

2790. You might call tech support and send in a box to get pressure/velocity tested. Tell them Miles sent you.

 

[stello1001]

223 Rem 73 gr ELD® Match - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

...

www.hornady.com

2790. You might call tech support and send in a box to get pressure/velocity tested. Tell them Miles sent you.

This is .223. OP posted 5.56. I'm not sure if there's 2 different loads or if OP meant .223 instead. If there's 2 different loads, I'm willing to bet the 5.56 will have a higher MV than 2790.

 

[232593]

223 Rem 73 gr ELD® Match - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

...

www.hornady.com

2790. You might call tech support and send in a box to get pressure/velocity tested. Tell them Miles sent you.

That’s .223. Mine was the 5.56

@hlee 2910 fps

 

[232593]

This is .223. OP posted 5.56. I'm not sure if there's 2 different loads or if OP meant .223 instead. If there's 2 different loads, I'm willing to bet the 5.56 will have a higher MV than 2790.

It was the 5.56 loading

 

[232593]

For what it’s worth none of the 73 grain ELDMs ever came apart from the spin my guns put on them.

 

[Ledzep]

Ahh superformance that makes a lot more sense. Yea that's still a little fast but if you're not getting ejector swipes, case head swell, flat/pierced priemrs, etc... I wouldn't be incredibly freaked out for being 100fps fast.

 

[232593]

Ahh superformance that makes a lot more sense. Yea that's still a little fast but if you're not getting ejector swipes, case head swell, flat/pierced priemrs, etc... I wouldn't be incredibly freaked out for being 100fps fast.

Ok thank you.

 

[232593]

Ahh superformance that makes a lot more sense. Yea that's still a little fast but if you're not getting ejector swipes, case head swell, flat/pierced priemrs, etc... I wouldn't be incredibly freaked out for being 100fps fast.

You guys plan to sell that ammo again?

 

[Ledzep]

Over my pay grade. I can't say that it will never run again, but it is currently obsoleted in our system. We've drug up and un-obsoleted things before, though. I wouldn't hold your breath.

 

[hlee]

Over my pay grade. I can't say that it will never run again, but it is currently obsoleted in our system. We've drug up and un-obsoleted things before, though. I wouldn't hold your breath.

Un-obsolete the 123 gr 6.5 Grendel “match” load, in the old brown boxes.

 

[232593]

I attempted to duplicate that load with Ramshot TAC, nickel plated black LC brass, and FED205MAR primers.

This is what I got.

I never measured expansion at the base. I do however have a primer pocket expansion gauge. After two firings and annealings the primer pockets were still tight.

 

[232593]

Ahh superformance that makes a lot more sense. Yea that's still a little fast but if you're not getting ejector swipes, case head swell, flat/pierced priemrs, etc... I wouldn't be incredibly freaked out for being 100fps fast.

What is the minimum velocity that bullets needs to fragment?

 

[BurtG]

Definitely bad ammo. Sell to me for half price.

 

[232593]

Definitely bad ammo. Sell to me for half price.

Seriously though, that’s some decent speed for a 5.56 & 73 grain. Exceeds my use case thresholds.

 

[M4orturnate]

I load those bullets to a little over 2900 out of a 20" and have not seen any reason to lower charges. 4 more inches would probably put me close to your speed

 

[BurtG]

Seriously though, that’s some decent speed for a 5.56 & 73 grain. Exceeds my use case thresholds.

Yeah I thought my stand1 was hot. But this is a 20” barrel :

 

[232593]

Yeah I thought my stand1 was hot. But this is a 20” barrel :

View attachment 8466396

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View attachment 8466398

Thats a badass optic you got there. NICE!!!

What does the base of the fired case look like on that Stand 1?

Out of a 24” with 1:7 I get about 2960ish with the IMI Razor Core. How am I getting that much more speed with only 4” of extra barrel length do you suppose?

 

[BurtG]

Thats a badass optic you got there. NICE!!!

What does the base of the fired case look like on that Stand 1?

Out of a 24” with 1:7 I get about 2960ish with the IMI Razor Core. How am I getting that much more speed with only 4” of extra barrel length do you suppose?

Idk sounds like you have a fast barrel.

I bought a a LOT of that Stand1 ammo for my terminus bolt gun that is very ammo picky. I mainly just shoot mk262 and razor core through this match rifle ^

 

[232593]

Yeah I thought my stand1 was hot. But this is a 20” barrel :

View attachment 8466396

View attachment 8466397

View attachment 8466398

You gather that data in the summer?

 

[BurtG]

Correct

 

[Rob01]

That’s .223. Mine was the 5.56
View attachment 8466201
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@hlee 2910 fps

Superformance wasn't really made for semi autos and actually Hornady advised against using it in semi autos in the beginning but gave some guidance a little later. If it's running fine in your rifle then use it but I would read below and use that info if going to another semi auto rifle. Here is some info from Hornady about it.

Superformance in Gas Operated Firearms - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Background Superformance ammunition was developed in the Hornady ballistics lab utilizing state of the art test equipment in accordance with SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) guidelines for pressure, velocity and accuracy ut...

www.hornady.com

 

[232593]

Idk sounds like you have a fast barrel.

View attachment 8466400

I bought a a LOT of that Stand1 ammo for my terminus bolt gun that is very ammo picky. I mainly just shoot mk262 and razor core through this match rifle ^

Is that a standard length gas system or +1 or 2?

 

[232593]

Superformance wasn't really made for semi autos and actually Hornady advised against using it in semi autos in the beginning but gave some guidance a little later. If it's running fine in your rifle then use it but I would read below and use that info if going to another semi auto rifle. Here is some info from Hornady about it.

Superformance in Gas Operated Firearms - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Background Superformance ammunition was developed in the Hornady ballistics lab utilizing state of the art test equipment in accordance with SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) guidelines for pressure, velocity and accuracy ut...

www.hornady.com

Can you run Superformance powder in a 5.56?

 

[232593]

Correct

I assume you’re in a location that has an actual winter. I’m not. Have you noticed any significant temperature sensitivity with IMI Razor Core?

 

[BurtG]

I assume you’re in a location that has an actual winter. I’m not. Have you noticed any significant temperature sensitivity with IMI Razor Core?

Gas gun matches aren’t shot in the winter here. And I only shoot razor core for matches. So long answer is I haven’t tested that

 

[Rob01]

Can you run Superformance powder in a 5.56?

The Superformance powder sold by Hodgdon is not the same powder used in the Hornady ammo. I think Hornady uses 6 or 7 blends of powders across the lines. That said if Hodgdon oks its use then you can use it.

 

[232593]

The Superformance powder sold by Hodgdon is not the same powder used in the Hornady ammo. I think Hornady uses 6 or 7 blends of powders across the lines. That said if Hodgdon oks its use then you can use it.

Tracking that.

I didn’t think standard Superformance would be even close to fast burning enough for 5.56.

So that ammo I bought was not intended for gas guns?

 

[232593]

I load those bullets to a little over 2900 out of a 20" and have not seen any reason to lower charges. 4 more inches would probably put me close to your speed

Do you use TAC?

 

[232593]

Can you measure case head expansion? That will tell if brass is flowing.

If I did it right I am seeing about .002-.004 (max) expansion.

 

[RTH1800]

That should be ok for new brass.

 

[M4orturnate]

Do you use TAC?

Shooters world match rifle. I tried precision but couldn't get enough in the case to get any speed

 

[232593]

Idk sounds like you have a fast barrel.

View attachment 8466400

I bought a a LOT of that Stand1 ammo for my terminus bolt gun that is very ammo picky. I mainly just shoot mk262 and razor core through this match rifle ^

Do you have a rough estimate as to how many of the Stand 1 rounds you put through that gun?

 

[BurtG]

Do you have a rough estimate as to how many of the Stand 1 rounds you put through that gun?

Through the AR? Probably less than box. Definitively less than 2 boxes

 

[232593]

Thanks everyone for all the help.

 

[232593]

Yeah I thought my stand1 was hot. But this is a 20” barrel :

View attachment 8466396

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View attachment 8466398

That’s your TBAC can right? What is the diameter of that 20” barrel?

 

[BurtG]

That’s your TBAC can right? What is the diameter of that 20” barrel?

Yes 338 Ultra. Saturn cut rifle not sure

 

[BurtG]

https://shop.saternbarrels.net/products/satern-cut-rifled-20-223-wylde-ar-15-barrel

Looks like 0.75”?

 

[232593]

https://shop.saternbarrels.net/products/satern-cut-rifled-20-223-wylde-ar-15-barrel

Looks like 0.75”?

Thank you

Any harmonic issues with that combo?

 

[BurtG]

Thank you

Any harmonic issues with that combo?

One of the best shooting barrels I have. Have been top 5 at every geisselle gas gun match ive shot , except got 8th when I had massive issues with chunks coming out silencer and jamming gun

 

[232593]

One of the best shooting barrels I have. Have been top 5 at every geisselle gas gun match ive shot , except got 8th when I had massive issues with chunks coming out silencer and jamming gun

Chunks coming out?

 

[BurtG]

Chunks coming out?

Can fouled enough that chunks of carbon were falling out