Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

[captrichardson]

Can anybody shed some light on what the deal is with Hornady and their product availability issues?

Be it the 6.5 Creedmoor, the 208 AMAX, and now the 178 HPBT, it seems they are not capable of keeping up with demand.

I was in the process of switching from a 175 SMK load to a 178 HPBT load, but now those bullets are nonexistent and on backorder everywhere.

I love the products, but I can't afford to get into a situation where all of a sudden I need to load ammo and can't get the components.

So what gives at Hornady? Are they going to do better at keeping up with supply & demand, or is this going to be the norm?

Thanks,
M Richardson

 

[Rob01]

Re: Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

As it's been said before they are making them as fast as they can. They have expanded with new buildings and machines and are cranking out bullets and ammo as fast as they can. People are buying bullets in the thousands when they used to buy them in the hundreds so they go alot faster.

Here's a post about the 208 AMAX from Nov that my teammate made which is still relevent with other bullets:

"Some of the production stuff that many don't understand is that certain machines are used for the multiple bullets. Those machines take a day or so to convert and set up a new caliber. So they dont stop a machine making ammo just to make a run of something else. The loss of down time for machines not running is huge and would create a even bigger back log.

So they tend to do big runs on bullets until the machine either breaks down, needs work, or ammo isnt to spec which means they shut it down and make the switch out to another caliber.

There is alot more to it but in the end demand is huge!! They have monster size ammo orders from the large companies like midway and creedmoor and their other large distibutors.

The other main fact is that in the last 5 years Hornady has rapidly grown to become a leader in the tactical shooting arena with all there quality offerings. Alot of shooters are getting great accuracy and results from the Hornady line and the demand has went through the roof.

Hornady continues to buy more machinery and build more buildings to eventually help fill the demand for there products. But like anything it takes time.

But in the end machines are being ran at full production. Yes there is a shortage on 208's now. But the machines are still making money pumping out say 6.5 Creedmoor. When they run 208's we will eventually shoot up all the 178's and then there will be a shortage of them and so on and so on.

In the end there is only so many machines and a LARGE fan base that will buy up and create a shortage on multiple bullet types.

Add to the fact that the 168 Gr Amax is being loaded up in there TAP line for the military and Law Enforcement as well as being loaded up in the M1 Garand load for CMP at a lighting pace.

I also just called my guy again to confirm the info above and to make sure I have up to the second info for you.

The AMAX bullet is 100% not going anywhere!!!

There will also be a another product release tomorrow as well.

Also confirmed is large runs are completed entered in the system and shipped and ammo is on back order within minutes.


John I agree the 208 Gr Amax has grown in popularity in multiple areas but that popularity is probably lower then alot of other bullets that are being made by Hornady. Unfortuanly this round is a round that seems to get limited run time with a high demand by shooters. I was told they are looking into what they can do to get more of it rolling out the door but we as shooters are buying everything they are making faster then they can make it.

Hope this helps."

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

Hornady produces good products at a decent price compared to other companies, if I owned Hornady I would keep my business model the same.

 

[PLeighton]

Re: Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

Simple supply vs. demand.
Unless they greatly increase production or raise their prices this will continue to happen.
Sounds like the production increase is being addressed hopefully their pricing will remain the same.

Anyone seen some 110 V-Max in 308?

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

i think the 178gr AMAX is still available if that helps in the near term

 

[muleman]

Re: Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

Like ROB said, They doubled their output 2 years ago, now they've just completed another 100% expansion and are bringing new machines into production Daily, The demand is crazy!!!
They make great quality products at very ecconomical prices, what do you expect. The 208 amax is avalible, not sure on the others you mentioned, Try the 178 AMAX you won't be dissapointed, I've shot these with Great results!

 

[captrichardson]

Re: Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

The group below is 5 shots of the Hornady 178 BTHP from a DPMS SASS at 100 yds,

That is one of the best groups, if not the best, produced by that rifle, given that they were run through a mag.

Needless to say I was very happy to see the results, but also very disappointed when I went to order more bullets and found them out of stock / back ordered at every major retailer.

Hornady obviously supports the shooting community 110%, and they offer great products at great prices, however that all doesn't really help a lot when you can't get the products that you need.

I was hoping to find out:
- Is this just an initial glitch / adjustment that needs to be made in terms of production since it is a new product
- Is this going to be the norm, where bullets will be available for periods, and then out of stock for periods

Sounds like the immediate answer is, production is going to be cyclic, and more than likely demand will exceed production, so if you want them, you had better buy in bulk when you can.

Not the answer I want, but I would rather know what the future honestly holds, and be able to prepare accordingly.

I hate having to do large scale buys, because it ties up my money, and it means I am taking bullets out of inventory to sit on my reloading bench, when someone else may need them. I still try to look out for other shooters, because I still like to believe that we all still look out for each other.

I am glad to hear Hornady is trying to increase production as best they can, hopefully it will get to a point in the near future where they can better meet the demand and not leave shooters scrambling for what they need.

Also, thanks for the 178 AMAX tip, but my rifle hates them with a passion unless I play around with the setting depth which gets into issues with trying to run them out of a mag. I was really glad to see the new BTHP design with a BC which is actually better than the AMAX, and even more happy to see that it makes the jump with no significant impact on accuracy.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback,
M Richardson

 

[muleman]

Re: Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

By the looks of that group I can see why you want to stay with the 178BTHP, That's probably better than my very best group with the 178 AMAX!!! NICE

 

[jwoolf]

Re: Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

next time you see them, buy a bunch.... I finally found the 208s the other day and bought 2000 of them. When I get down to 1000, I'll start looking again.

 

[M25BeastShooter]

Re: Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

Just got word a distributor had gotten 10 boxes I bought all 10.

I was surprised as it seemed they only got 10 boxes total.

 

[gpz750]

Re: Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

powdervalley has the 178amax and the 208 amax in stock right now

 

[Mk4]

Re: Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gpz750</div><div class="ubbcode-body">powdervalley has the 178amax and the 208 amax in stock right now </div></div>

Just got another shipment of 178 AMAX's from Powder Valley. They had been out for a while...and still have it listed as available.

Wonder why they're not listing the 178 BTHP's?

 

[ED_RN]

Re: Hornady Component Availability, WTF?

www.gunstop.com