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Hornady, Winchester, Remington, Federal ... how do they stack up?
jb4lcm
Member Posts: 119 ✭✭
While I'm kinda new to the serious ammo, I'd like your input on the differences in quality in of-the-shelf NON-match factory loads. I see Hornady getting premium prices - are they THAT much better?
Aaaaaannd GO.
Comments
Try 'em all and figure out which one your gun likes. What we think doesn't mean diddly, but your gun will let you know what it likes. I've got an old Model 70 270 Win that just loves 130 grain Remington Core-Lokts.
funny you should say that .. mine does too, better than even the higher end stuff.
Supposedly, the deadliest mushroom in the woods. I have a Rem 700 in 270 that won't shoot them under 4" at 100 yards, but it sure loves Barnes 130 TSX's....
Hope you arent in a hurry to find and try them!
I have both a Sako and a Tikka in 223. One likes Remington and one likes Winchester. Fortunately they both do really well with my 52gr Sierra hand load. I have a 270wsm Winchester that likes Federal Fusion ammo better than any of the Winchester loadings. There is no hard and fast rule so you will have to see what your rifle likes best. Bob
It took me a long time to develop a load that equals or exceeds Remington Corlokts in my .270.
I really like Remington brass for rifle reloading and Winchester brass for pistol.
First Ammo I tried in a new to me browning a bolt was Hornady sst 165 in 308 . It shot 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups from the start . Not going to waste any time trying to handload for it . Went back to store and bought 4 boxes of the same lot number
I had a Browning A-Bolt that would shoot 130 grain Core-Lokts into an 1-1/2" at 300 yards. I still wonder why I let that get away.
In a pyramid shape.
If you reload avoid Federal especially their rifle brass . Brass is too soft especially in the critical base. Lucky to get 2 reloads before the primers fall out. Worse there is IMHO.
I envy you guys that can afford to shoot factory ammo. Been reloading for over 50 years, jacketed and cast bullets, rifle and pistol. Never saved a dime doing it but sure shoot a lot more for the same money.
Every gun I own has a preference to ammo. Even the cheapest serbian stuff shoots fine in most. I avoid any steel case ammo. Hard primers in that stuff doesn't help firing pins.
I've never been a big fan of Winchester center fire ammo-not sure exactly why, just didn't seem to perform as well as other stuff. The old standby was always Remington when the only centerfire most people owned was a 30/06. Later, I tried all the brands with varying results. Right now, the ammo supply is a mix of nearly every manufacturer on the planet. Some is barely adequate for function testing and some is better than I can load myself.
I've always had problems with Hornady in the couple Remington bolt guns I've owned in the past.
Almost like the projectiles were too large or something. Would chamber a round a little tight/hard. Then the only way to empty the chamber was to shoot the gun, or, if I could run the bolt, the projectile was pulled from the case, and I would have to use cleaning rods to remove it.
Tried them in same caliber Browning Bar, and they wouldn't group very well.
I agree about every rifle I've ever owned had a pet round it loved, and would be a tack driver.
I'm finding Federal Premium hunting ammo shoots tighter groups than Remington Core-Lokts in all the rifles I've tried both in.
This includes my Savage Axis 270 win, Ruger Scout 308 win, Savage Scout 308 win, and M1A 308 win.
I also like Federal Fusion MSR out of my AR15's.
I should add that Remington core lockt has always shot minute of deer in every gun I own . Some better than others but always acceptable for the task at hand
+1 !!!
Combat Vet VN
D.A.V Life Member
THIS ^^
My rifles generally like Hornady and Federal, but you have to try them all, in different bullet weights as well, to be sure what your gun likes, then get several boxes of that lot. That won't be this week.
Most of my rifles like the Federal Fusion except for my Savage 110 7mm Rem mag about the only thing it seems to like is the Winchester power point
Interesting
my 110 300WSM likes the Winchester ballistic tips better than the Federal Fusion also
My browning a-bolt in 25-06 loves the Winchester black box 115 grain ballistic silver tips