Hornady 6.5GAP Brass Question

[snowcamoman]

I had a lightweight 6.5GAP rifle built earlier this year and ordered up 200 pieces of Hornady 6.5GAP brass. I worked up loads and settled on a load, only to find out that once I was ready to start using the brass for 2nd round of loadings, the majority of the primer pockets were shot. I think I had 20 cases that still worked. I'm not pushing the 143ELDx bullets very fast (3040fps over Lab Radar) and was just amazed at the lousy quality of the brass. I've switched to Norma brass and have zero issues whatsoever and I'm on my 4th reload on some of those with the same velocity as I had with the Hornady brass. Primer pockets seem as tight as new on the Norma brass.

I "thought" that Hornady had the bad brass issue resolved, but apparently not. I've left messages at GA Precision, but nobody has returned a call to me and Hornady pleads ignorance.

So what gives? Did Hornady make a bad batch initially, then fix the next round, only to go back to lousy brass again? Needless to say I'm less than pleased I wasted my money on junk brass. Sorry for the rant, I'm just not getting any details on why this brass was so lousy when I was told by GA when I ordered it that it was the newest improved batch.

 

[Ledzep]

Primer pockets shot as in won't hold a primer?

The only issue I've had (and granted, I'm using the 2nd run brass) is when I don't clean my rifle, carbon builds up in the throat and pressure spikes and pockets are immediately looser, but typically still work for 1-2 more firings. I have a case that I fired 10 times with 62.0 grains of h1000 under a 140 (over 3200fps) and it still holds a primer.

I think it's a reamer vs. brass dimensional issue or something that causes most of these primer pocket failures but I haven't been able to nail it down. It seems pretty hit or miss.

 

[Wyfox]

I'm not thoroughly impressed with Hornady 4s brass either, I'm pushing 130's at 3250 and can get 5-6 loading's which I'm ok with. Looks like the new Bertram brass is pretty promising from preliminary reports. I'm pretty vested in the Hornady brass right now with over 800 pieces, so I have to make due for now before I switch.

One thing that may help is to keep your loads light until about 150-200rds through the barrel. The 143 eldx has a really long bearing surface and can create much higher pressures than normal on a brand new throat.

 

[Bradu]

Funny this came up, I just prepped some of my first gen brass Sunday night that are once fired. 4 of them were so loose that I could tap them on the table and the primer all but fell out. I'm looking at a neck turning setup and going with norma brass.

 

[Wyfox]

Preliminary reports on the Bertram are looking pretty good
https://bertrambrass.com/product/6-5mm-saum-unprimed-brass-100-count/

 

[Wyfox]

Funny this came up, I just prepped some of my first gen brass Sunday night that are once fired. 4 of them were so loose that I could tap them on the table and the primer all but fell out. I'm looking at a neck turning setup and going with norma brass.

The Norma isn't much better, I have two 6.5 saums. I run Norma in one and Hornady in the other. I get about the same amount of firings(5-6) with the Norma. Save your money, and just run the Hornady for now or find some unicorn Remington brass.

 

[Bradu]

I'm going to wait a while on that. I remember hearing how great the testing was on Hornady brass and it not working out. Hopefully prime will have their ammo shipping soon and we can get some feedback on that. I will probably order a hundred rounds to try out the brass.

 

[Bradu]

The Norma isn't much better, I have two 6.5 saums. I run Norma in one and Hornady in the other. I get about the same amount of firings(5-6) with the Norma. Save your money, and just run the Hornady for now or find some unicorn Remington brass.

My brass will be junk after two shots at a whopping 3030 fps. Read similar reports with 2nd and 3rd gen from people, 5 reloads sound really good right now lol

 

[Wyfox]

With Hornady brass I push a 129gr LRAB at 3250 fps with 60.6gr of R-26 coal 2.88", zero pressure and decent case life, .9XX freebore.

 

[snowcamoman]

The primers either fall out, or I can easily tap them out on my bench. The Norma has treated me well so far and I'll buy whatever new brass comes along besides the Hornady.

 

[Ledzep]

That's really wild. I wonder why it happens to some and not others. I have had exactly 1 case over 900 rounds (recycling the same 100 cases) that a primer fell out of after tapping on the bench. 2nd run Hornady brass.

Has anyone documented the same thing with the PRC?

 

[snowcamoman]

I don't know what's going on, but it's as if I had a batch of first run brass the way it's such garbage. I won't touch Hornady brass unless it's the absolute last option

 

[Hillpuller]

i bought some 300 blk out Hornady brass and had problems with loose primer pockets. switched to Lake City 556 trimmed down and didnt have a problem with loose pockets again