Hornady brass any good?

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double gun

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I have been thinking about building a rifle, problem is only hornady makes brass for it. Now that I found a source(s) (thanks to a couple members) for larger quantities of hornady brass I need some advice.

I have been reading reviews on hornady brass and opinions seem to vary. Before I head down this road, I would like to know - is it good brass or not?
 
double gun said:
I have been reading reviews on hornady brass and opinions seem to vary. Before I head down this road, I would like to know - is it good brass or not?
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You probably shouldn't be surprised to find varying opinions - again. ;) I have seen some good Hornady brass, others not so good. Its not my first pick, maybe that's the fairest opinion I can offer.
 
I got a few Hornady cases in circulation for my .308 and haven't had any issues with them. They weigh more than Winchester and Federal cases of the same caliber so I take it the walls are thicker.
 
My only experience with it has been reloading factory rolled once fired brass, so far it has been excellent. Mind you I haven't reloaded it more than three times, and so far only with mild to mid range loads. It has been quite uniform though, not Lapua or Nosler uniform, but better than rem, fed, LC, prvi, or Winchester. I have no experience with Norma.
 
Depends on caliber. Hornady doesn't manufacture all their own brass (a lot of companies are like this, apparently).

Some calibers are not bad, some (.338 LM being a good example) are 'use once then destroy'. I tend to avoid it, as a general statement.
 
I have had an issue with the primer pockets. Not too big, but too tight !!. So tight that I could just barely get the primer to seat using the RCBS primer tool. It would really suck to have to ream large quantities of primer pockets. These were from factory once fired loads.
 
I haven't had any issues with Hornady brass until I bought some factory loaded .30-30 FTX leverevolution ammo. I thought it was just primer pockets being too tight but it turned out they where actually too shallow. I use a pocket swager and it didn't do anything; I ended up having to get a primer pocket uniformer and run it in a drill to cut the pockets to depth (quite a bit of brass was removed). It was so much work I just tossed them in my scrap metal box because I have so much easier to use .30-30 brass.
 
I have used it several times and wont bother anymore. The times I have it has had the same characteristics of Federal Brass. I have thousands of pieces of rifle brass on hand in a wide variety of different cartridges, any of the Hornady has been thrown out as I do with most of the Federal brass.

If I was building a rifle and only Hornady brass was available, I would move on to something else... JMO
 
I bought two x 100 pc boxes for my .454 Casull and I'm getting split case necks after about 4 firings. Not at all impressive considering you're paying about $80 per 100 and we're talking a pistol case here.

I won't be buying Hornady brass any more.
 
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crazy_davey said:
I have used it several times and wont bother anymore. The times I have it has had the same characteristics of Federal Brass. I have thousands of pieces of rifle brass on hand in a wide variety of different cartridges, any of the Hornady has been thrown out as I do with most of the Federal brass.

If I was building a rifle and only Hornady brass was available, I would move on to something else... JMO
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I too have problems with both hornady and federal brass, tight pockets in the hornady and loose in the federal
 
I've found that popular opinion (in general on the internet) doesn't match my personal experience.

Personally, I've had a lot of problems with Winchester Brass. The necks split, sometimes on the first fire and the primer pockets loosen up too quickly.

Federal brass is okay but it is heavy and thick. A little less case capacity.

I've had good luck with Remington brass. It's pretty soft but it seems to last many firings with no problems. Some trimming required - keep and eye just above the webbing for thinning of the brass.

Hornady brass is really good for me. I haven't had any issues with it. It's not too soft, no problems with the primer pocket or necks. In fact, it's just great!

"Nosler" brass is probably my favorite although it costs more than the Hornady stuff. I realize it's made by someone else - one of the big brands but it's good quality. Very consistent. If I'm looking for TOP accuracy this is what I use.
 
I suspect a 6.5 Creedmoor? I'm loading for and shooting one right now and have it dialed in right around .3MOA with that junk Hornady brass. I haven't reloaded any of it more than three times but it all looks fine so far. i did have to trim after shooting it twice but that's all I've noticed.
 
sheephunter said:
I suspect a 6.5 Creedmoor? I'm loading for and shooting one right now and have it dialed in right around .3MOA with that junk Hornady brass. I haven't reloaded any of it more than three times but it all looks fine so far. i did have to trim after shooting it twice but that's all I've noticed.
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If Hornady helped out with my bills and equipment I would shoot it as well with no complaints.

And this is your only experience with this brass sheephunter? Probably as you really haven't been reloading that long...
 
crazy_davey said:
And this is your only experience with this brass sheephunter? Probably as you really haven't been reloading that long...
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Why would you jump to the conclusion this is my only experience with Hornady brass? I load several cartridges with Hornady brass as well as Remington, Federal and Winchester. Also, why would you assume I haven't been reloading long?

I was just sharing a first hand experience with something the OP was asking about.....sorry it didn't agree with your thoughts. I didn't know that was a requirement here.
 
sheephunter said:
Why would you jump to the conclusion this is my only experience with Hornady brass? I load several cartridges with Hornady brass as well as Remington, Federal and Winchester. Also, why would you assume I haven't been reloading long?

I was just sharing a first hand experience with something the OP was asking about.....sorry it didn't agree with your thoughts. I didn't know that was a requirement here.
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I wasn't making assumptions on how long you have been reloading. Been reading your posts here and other places for a long time.

I was also giving first hand experience with 20 + years reloading and owning around 150 firearms in more than that time.

I get tired of you pushing the sponsors that pay your bills all the time. Non supporting dealers here aren't allowed to do it why should you be allowed? And no this isn't just about Hornady and this thread...
 
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