Range Report Hornady 147 ELDM blowing up

Just saw this thread. I bought a chunk of 147 6.5CM factory ammo (well a chunk by European standards). I used about 10 rounds zeroing it at 100 and 200, then used about 50 rounds at varying distances up to 1150 metres.

Are the blow ups still happening? I could probably live with an occasional blow up as the 147s seem very good; I hit that 1150 metre, 1MoA target on the second shot with the first only just a miss. Tikka T3x TAC 1 in 8 twist, they aren't coming out that fast, 2600fps in a new rifle/ new barrel.
Biscuits, I have a tikka t3 6.5 creed and a 6.5prc. The creed shooting 147s at 2600 doesn’t smoke bullets but the prc is a proof barrel 7.5 twist 4 groove that smokes them with factory ammunition.
 
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I fired some 147s today. I've only done them from 6.5 Creed, 22" KRG SOTIC and a new 20" Proof CF. The Proof has about 70 rounds on it, just wanted to get a sense of velocity. Runs very close to my 22" right now... both around 2625 fps or (give or take), and no issues so far.
 
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I’ve shot almost 300 of the 2000 I bought recently and have not had any issues as of yet. I’m running them out of a 1-8 twist barrel at a trued 2705 fps. Have shot excellent out to 1000 thus far. Grouping excellent as well.
 
I guess I get to join the club now. Loaded a few Hornady 147 ELDMs for the PRC to see how it will shoot and got this. I guess getting Berger's was a very good decision after all.
PXL_20211019_201630957.MP.jpg
 
I guess I get to join the club now. Loaded a few Hornady 147 ELDMs for the PRC to see how it will shoot and got this. I guess getting Berger's was a very good decision after all.
How fast were they coming out?

I have had zero problems with 147 ELDMs in a 6.5CM so far, but these won't be coming out as fast as in a PRC.
 
It seems to be the case. There has been nothing public. Hopefully they quietly fixed whatever problem they were having. But multiple blowups in my first box of 100 was enough for me. Besides the juice isn’t worth the squeeze to me at the velocity I could safely get
 
I use 140 ELD Match for my 6.5 and 285 ELD Match for my .338 Lapua, no problems. Wish I were getting groups like Carlos above, but at least I'm not going sideways.

Have has sideways before but this old brain won't remember the bullet or the loads, it's been a while thankfully.
 
You want some real excitement?
Try the 180eldm in any 7mm magnum.
Poof town!
Best groups I’ve ever shot with my 260 were with 140 and 147 ELD’s but now I avoid most Hornady bullets except the 223’s.
 
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You want some real excitement?
Try the 180eldm in any 7mm magnum.
Poof town!
Best groups I’ve ever shot with my 260 were with 140 and 147 ELD’s but now I avoid most Hornady bullets except the 223’s.
Bad news. I’ve got 88s blowing up in a 224 predator. Anything above 2800 in my 6.5 twist will puff about 1 in 10.
 
I guess I get to join the club now. Loaded a few Hornady 147 ELDMs for the PRC to see how it will shoot and got this. I guess getting Berger's was a very good decision after all.View attachment 7724239
I’ll just say it again, Hornady reps on the phone act like they’ve never heard of this. At least the two I spoke with. Pitiful.
Huh? What? Huh? Let us replace them.
Replace them with Berger 156’s??? Sure, because I’m all set on shitty 147 ELDMs. Thanks
 
I’ll just say it again, Hornady reps on the phone act like they’ve never heard of this. At least the two I spoke with. Pitiful.
Huh? What? Huh? Let us replace them.
Replace them with Berger 156’s??? Sure, because I’m all set on shitty 147 ELDMs. Thanks

This Hornady bullet blowup shit has been going on for several years, with a number of calibers with the ELD bullet line.

I have heard the same story from others... Hornady reps continue to play stupid and pretend that they haven't heard of the issue.

Thankfully I still have a few of the Amaxes in a couple flavors, but unfortunately my supply is starting to dwindle.
 
That's 310,000 rpm.
Yep, I’ve backed off to a lower node with acceptable results and no blow ups.

To the 147s it seems that most people with issues are running them hard in CMs, or even harder in PRCs.

They’ll probably start puffing tomorrow, but I’ve shot over a thousand out of my RPR (about 1/2 as Hornady match and the other as hand loads at the same vel) without any problems.
 
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I use 140 ELD Match for my 6.5 and 285 ELD Match for my .338 Lapua, no problems. Wish I were getting groups like Carlos above, but at least I'm not going sideways.

Have has sideways before but this old brain won't remember the bullet or the loads, it's been a while thankfully.
Just ordered another 1k.
 
The ELD-X are usually fine. It's the ELD-M that are usually causing issues. The 143 ELD-X is fine even at 6.5 PRC speeds as far as I know.
Yeah, they have a thicker jacket. Here’s my data with a Magnetospeed V3 and Christensen MPR CF 24” barrel

Hornady Precision Hunter
143 gr ELD-X
3007, 3040, 3055, 3033, 3059 SD 20.7 cold, clean barrel
3060, 3056, 3028, 3055, 3041, 3042, 3037, 3043, 3046, 3041, 3042, 3041, 3046, 3033, 3014 SD 11.3 warm, dirty barrel
 
I left the 147 Eld-m's behind when they were unobtaniums. I never had a problem with mine. In fact, they're the bullet my Tikka loves the most. But you can't shoot what you can't get. I've switched to the Hornady 140 BTHP's for now.
The Hornady BTHPs have proven to be insignificantly less precise in the rifles that I have shot them along side the ELD-Ms. Measurably? Perhaps. Meaningfully? Nope. Not for my shooting.
 
Has anyone taken a look at the chambers of the barrels that are blowing bullets up? I've seen quite a few off-center chambers (in the freebore area) in recent years from big names and this would certainly be hard on bullets jackets......especially the Hornady ELDMs?

This may be a perfect storm type situation (chamber oddity, thin jackets, max velocity, high rpm, etc.)

Just my $.02

Ern
 
Has anyone taken a look at the chambers of the barrels that are blowing bullets up? I've seen quite a few off-center chambers (in the freebore area) in recent years from big names and this would certainly be hard on bullets jackets......especially the Hornady ELDMs?

This may be a perfect storm type situation (chamber oddity, thin jackets, max velocity, high rpm, etc.)

Just my $.02

Ern
Mine was a factory Savage 6.5cm. Very accurate rifle otherwise. I went back to my normal 140 match Hornady.
 
Necro thread time.

Shot the 2022 NF ELr this year using the same barrel that was in the first post video.

The change was 153.5 Bergers and hand loading.

60E8F42C-560D-4DE3-BB20-6F16253FFB4C.jpeg




During load dev I went all the way up to 3150 with no issues but decided to keep it a bit slower.

This was some good numbers but didn’t like the seating depth and it only grouped 3/4

A9E8DA51-7BFB-4BE3-BC41-C0CE6D771651.jpeg
 
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Necro thread time.

Shot the 2022 NF ELr this year using the same barrel that was in the first post video.

The change was 153.5 Bergers.

View attachment 7890958



During load dev I went all the way up to 3150 with no issues but decided to keep it a bit slower.

This was some good numbers but didn’t like the seating depth and it only grouped 3/4

View attachment 7890961
Damn consistent load.
 
Necro thread time.

Shot the 2022 NF ELr this year using the same barrel that was in the first post video.

The change was 153.5 Bergers and hand loading.

View attachment 7890958



During load dev I went all the way up to 3150 with no issues but decided to keep it a bit slower.

This was some good numbers but didn’t like the seating depth and it only grouped 3/4

View attachment 7890961
Creed or prc?
 
I’ve actually had good luck so far with the 147s at 2750 FPS out of 2 26in 1:8 twist creed, one is criterion barrel (factory ARC rifle barrel) and one is a Krieger but I use them only for practice.
 
What twist and barrel length, please?
I am more interested in borescope pics.......especially if it is a 5R barrel.

If the barrel is new enough, you should be able to clean it and look at the freebore area just forward of the neck. If it is uneven or off-center.......its most likely beating the jacket up as it enters therefore increasing the risk of jacket failure.

Ern
 
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If you want to switch bullets, what are good options for a 6.5CM?

I realize Berger would be the best, but availability is still a huge issue.

Are Hornady 140 HPBT an option?
Nosler 140 CC or RDX
Barnes 140 Match Burners

Are there any Sierra options?

Use Case: Regularly shooting to 1200 out a SS Proof Research barrel.