Hornady steel match 75 grain issues

[urikagold]

I used to shoot this ammo a lot until it got scarce. I recently purchased 500 rounds from Cabelas and was super excited to get to the range. I was extremely disappointed when 6 out of the first 18 rounds keyholed. Has anyone else had any issues with this ammo? If anyone has a contact at Hornaday that I can send some info to please let me know. Maybe, hopefully I just got a bad batch.

[blairmckenzie1]

barrel twist?

[DocHolliday1]

I've only shot about 25 rounds of the "new batch" and didn't seem to notice any difference. I also shot it quite a bit before it disappeared and was glad to find it again a few months ago. But it's only 25 rounds, and this was through my old limited rifle which was a standard 16" 1/9 twist (have a new rifle and not shooting steel cases in my new one). I have heard reports of bad batches with bad/hard primers even with the older stuff.

[urikagold]

223 wylde 18" 1/8 twist. The stuff I shot before shot like lasers through my gun. Extremely accurate and very reliable. Never had an issue with primers at all.

[dauntedfuture]

While possible, its highly unlikely that its bad ammo. You say that you have shot Hornady steel match out of this gun before; it was the 75g stuff and not the 55g steel match correct. What barrel do you have? I would check that your barrel is actually a 1-8 twist; you can measure this with a cleaning rod. Check your compensator if you have one to make sure that there are no copper marks on it. I cant think of much else provided your bullets were not going through some tall grass on the way down range and that's unlikely to effect much.

[urikagold]

The only steel match that I have shot out of this gun was the 75 grain stuff. Never the 55. The barrel is a Rainier Match grade 18" 1/8 223 wylde chamber. The barrel is awesome. Shoots sub MOA with good ammo all day. I thought it might be the comp so I removed it and shot a couple more. Same result. I even shot rounds out of two different boxes. Shot some Federal 223 55 gr, PMC X-Tac 55 gr, and some Black Hills 77 grain. All shot great. I am at a loss. The only thing it could be is the ammo. I am going to contact Hornady and give them the lot numbers off the boxes. Hopefully they make it right. Otherwise I am out $300 in ammo.

[P.E. Kelley]

The only steel match that I have shot out of this gun was the 75 grain stuff. Never the 55. The barrel is a Rainier Match grade 18" 1/8 223 wylde chamber. The barrel is awesome. Shoots sub MOA with good ammo all day. I thought it might be the comp so I removed it and shot a couple more. Same result. I even shot rounds out of two different boxes. Shot some Federal 223 55 gr, PMC X-Tac 55 gr, and some Black Hills 77 grain. All shot great. I am at a loss. The only thing it could be is the ammo. I am going to contact Hornady and give them the lot numbers off the boxes. Hopefully they make it right. Otherwise I am out $300 in ammo.

Give Hornady all the details and be as pleasant as you can. I have no doubt they will make you happy

[urikagold]

Thanks Patrick. I sent them an email today.

Edited August 12, 2014 by urikagold

[mngunguy]

I haven't shot a lot of the 75gr Steel Match, maybe one box, but I didn't have any key holing out of my barrel (Nordic 18" wylde 1/8 twist). Lot number is: 3140731.