Hornady Superformance powder

[rodnocker1`]

I've searched and can't find a discussion about this but if there is one, please direct me to it.

I've been reloading for a couple of years and know that some shooters do it to squeeze the best possible accuracy out of their firearm, while others do it to save money.

The accuracy shooters usually put alot of time and money into chronos, dies, brass, working up a load etc to get all they can out of their firearm because they feel that they can do better than factory ammo (and I agree).

The shooters wanting to save money might not want to invest alot of money in equipment or time developing a load and are quite satisfied with factory performance, which is fine also.

My question has to do with Hornady Superformance powder. Hornady advertises it as being the same powder that they use in their Superformance ammo. From what I've heard, most companies use a blend of different powders and can't (or won't) just say "We use XXXX whatever in our ---- ammo" yet Hornady is basically saying just that.

My question is: If a shooter is satisfied with the performance of Hornady Superformance ammo in his firearm, could he not just take a factory round, pull the bullet, weigh the charge and then reload using that information (and the Hornady powder, of course)?

 

[former naval person]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

Yes...but I'd drop down and work up to the measurement. Sometimes lots vary. I have also heard of a number of Hornady's loads being overpressure. I'd hate to duplicate an overpressure load for my rifle. The other thing to consider is using the same primer/case combination. Differences in primers can cause overpressure excursions, as can varying case volume/capacities. Since you are evidently trying for max velocities, which relates to max pressures, be careful. Be VERY careful. JMHO

 

[recarga]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

Don't be surprised if you find out all you have is a hot load.

That's all it is a over pressure load.

I've read on the new RELOADER 17 to be a real speed buster with out over pressure.

 

[Helmet]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

Somehow I came under the impression that it was not the same powder like they say. Seems like there was some difference. I also came under the impression that CFE 223 was either the powder they were using or it could match their results.
Sorry I can't remember specifics about how I determined that. Maybe it will come to me later.

 

[CharlieTN]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

One other bit of caution, Hornady actually uses several different blends for their Superformance line, not just the one they sell.

The powder they sell is used in some of their loads but had a broader application to the commercial reloading market. Some of the blends they use only gave improved performance in a couple of calibers so they didn't feel it was financially beneficial to offer all of them for sale.

When Hornady decided to offer the blended powders (Leverevolution is also a blend) they determined that the 2 powders they would sell would have the broadest application, especially in cartridges that were newer and the load data they published had to show a significant increase in velocity otherwise there was no reason to publish it.

I am a salesman for a shooting sports wholesaler and this info is direct from our Hornady rep prior to they releasing these powders.

Hope this helps.

Charlie

 

[Rob01]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

Hornady doesn't sell the powder. Hodgdon does. Charlie has it right that that is just one blend. Depending on the factory load used if you pull the bullet and put in the commercially available powder you might be in a dangerous situation as what you can buy might not be the same blend that is used in the loaded ammo you pulled the bullet from.

Good advice is only use the powder that is sold commercially for the cartridges that they give you data for with that powder.

 

[CharlieTN]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hornady doesn't sell the powder. Hodgdon does. Charlie has it right that that is just one blend. Depending on the factory load used if you pull the bullet and put in the commercially available powder you might be in a dangerous situation as what you can buy might not be the same blend that is used in the loaded ammo you pulled the bullet from.

Good advice is only use the powder that is sold commercially for the cartridges that they give you data for with that powder. </div></div>

Thank you for the correction on the seller. That's what I get for trying to type and talk at the same time. LOL

As others have mentioned, fastest is not always the most accurate. Do your research, blended powders can be great but they can create some unique problems as well.

Charlie

 

[Holtz]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

Short story long. Here's part of a letter I sent to Hornady recently. "Today, I fired 13 rounds of your Hornady 165 grain GMX factory ammunition. Prior to today, I had fired 5 rounds, all in a bolt action rifle & had no problems. After firing them today from the FNAR, almost all the cases showed pressure spots on the head & two actually lost their primers when I put them in a bag after collecting them off the grass. I was only able to recover one primer & it is taped in the head of its spent brass. That’s when I called your tech support & talked to Brad. I later fired 5 more rounds that I had reloaded out of the same rifle. Three of the brass were from the previously fired Hornady rounds & two were from Winchester. There did not appear to be any damage to those heads. Please test the rounds from a box from the same lot."
Hornady tested them & their results mirrored mine. I asked why the problem in a semi-auto & not a bolt action. The answer, they use a blend of powders in their Superformance loads which results in the same pressure, but for a longer time. Some semis don't like that. He sent me replacement rounds(165 gr. BTSP) which only use one powder. That's why none of my reloads had a problem in my FNAR. Hope this helps.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

Holtz read this:

http://www.hornady.com/ammunition/superformance-in-gas-operated-firearms

 

[Holtz]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

Guess I could have made my long answer longer. After Hornady identified this problem, they crimped the primer, similar to military rounds, in lots after mine. The rep knew that I wanted to be able to reload my fired brass & told me I would have to swage or ream the old primer out & said that was a pita, thus one powder replacements instead of later lots. BTW, never saw that link in early 2010 when I bought the rounds. Where were you when I needed you.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

You should have joined the Hide earlier. Been here since 2001 myself

Actually easrlier before the 2001 revamp of the site. LOL

 

[rodnocker1`]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

Sorry, I had meant to say Hodgdon but had Hornady on my mind.

The reason I asked the question to begin with is I've read in several places this statement:


Hodgdon® Powder Company and Hornady® Manufacturing have teamed together to answer the frequently asked reloading question; “Can I buy the powder used in Hornady Superformance and LEVERevolution factory ammunition?” Beginning in January the answer will be yes.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Hodgdon’s new Hornady Superformance and LEVERevolution reloading powders are the same propellants used in Hornady’s innovative and award winning high performance factory ammunition. </span>This would lead someone to believe (actually it says) that it is the same propellant blend.

I do have some Superformance ammo and haven't bought any of the powder yet but that was why I was wondering about it. I "guess" I had just presumed that Hornady loaded their ammo so that it would be safe in most firearms rather than being a hot load.

Hodgdon does provide load data for the powder.

ETA: Thanks for the extra information Charlie. I would guess that that would be a negative selling point for the powder.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

It is the same blend for some of the rounds and that is why they give you the data. It's not the blend used in every Superformance round.

The ammo is loaded so it will be safe in most firearms and loaded to safe pressures but the way the powder burns is different than others so it's not advised to be used in gas operated rifles.

 

[recarga]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

You know , 20 years ago when I came to USA ,one of the first things that my ESL teacher taught me was , GRAMMAR CAN BE CHANGE IN ENGLISH FOR TELEMARKETING PURPOSES.

I think Hornady super performance ammo ,should be named

HORNADY SUPER CHARGED AMMO OR SUPER HOT LOAD AMMO.

IT'S just a humble opinion from me.

 

[rodnocker1`]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

I believe that after reading everyones posts, I'll just stick with what I've been using and leave the blends alone.

Thanks for everyones responses.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: recarga</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You know , 20 years ago when I came to USA ,one of the first things that my ESL teacher taught me was , GRAMMAR CAN BE CHANGE IN ENGLISH FOR TELEMARKETING PURPOSES.

I think Hornady super performance ammo ,should be named

HORNADY SUPER CHARGED AMMO OR SUPER HOT LOAD AMMO.

IT'S just a humble opinion from me. </div></div>

The funny part is that the pressures are not higher than any other loaded ammo. Just a different pressure curve so people think it's hotter as depending on rifle it acts differently. Just has to be tried in a rifle to see if the rifle likes it or not.

 

[Twitch2120]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

superformance in the can doesnt have a load for .308 yet there is superformance 308 factory loads. curious...

 

[Rob01]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

Not curious at all. If you read the above you would have saw that there are more than one superformance powder blend. The factory 308 loads use a different blend.

 

[Pappasniper]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

I agree with others, that superformance is super hot and not accurate. Just work up a load, don't mimic that load. Too many variables and not that good for starters. I've had poor accuracy and multiple blown primers.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Hornady Superformance powder

And again I will say it depends on the rifle and barrel and it needs to be tried to see how it works in your rifle. You can't make the blanket statement that it's hot and not accurate. My team mate's .308 shoots the 178 Superformance load 3/8 MOA and in my .308 it's around 3/4-1 MOA. His rifle loves the stuff and he gets 2820fps from the 178. I get about the same velocity but not the accuracy.