Factory ammo speed : the reality

[todbartell]

here's some real world speeds (doppler radar or chrony confirmed) vs claimed factory ammo speed


17 Hornet, Hornady Superformance 20gr Vmax ~ 3650 fps claimed
22" CZ 527 ~ 3491 fps

17 Hornet, Hornady 25gr HP ~ 3375 fps claimed
22" CZ 527 ~ 3112 fps

223 Rem, Winchester USA 45gr JHP ~ 3600 fps claimed
22" Rem 700 ~ 3283 fps

223 Rem, Hornady Superformance 53gr Vmax ~ 3465 fps claimed
20" Rem 700 ~ 3311 fps

223 Rem, Hornady 55gr SP ~ 3240 fps claimed
22.4" Tikka ~ 3060 fps
22" Rem 700 ~ 3125 fps
22" Savage 25 ~ 3188 fps
16.1" Ruger m77 ~ 2873 fps

223 Rem, Winchester Super X 55gr PSP ~ 3240 fps claimed
22" Rem 700 ~ 3025 fps

223 Rem, Aguila 55gr FMJ ~ 3215 fps claimed
16.1" Ruger Scout ~ 2878 fps

223 Rem, Winchester Varmit X 55gr Tipped ~ 3240 fps claimed
16.1" Ruger Scout ~ 2900 fps

223 Rem, Barnaul 62gr HP ~ 2823 fps claimed
16.1" Ruger Scout ~ 2807 fps

223 Rem, Silver State Armory 63gr SP ~ 2650 fps claimed
22" Ruger American ~ 2895 fps
22.4" Tikka t3 ~ 2874 fps
16.1" Ruger Scout ~ 2702 fps

22-250 Rem, Hornady 40gr Vmax ~ 4150 fps claimed
22" Savage Axis ~ 3850 fps
24" Rem 700 ~ 3860 fps

22-250 Rem, Hornady 50gr Vmax ~ 3800 fps claimed
22" Savage Axis ~ 3630 fps
24" Rem 700 ~ 3625 fps

22-250 Rem, Barnes VorTx 50gr TSX ~ 3830 fps claimed
24" Nosler 48 ~ 3745 fps

22-250 Rem, Hornady 55gr Vmax ~ 3680 fps claimed
Savage Axis ~ 3360 fps
24" Rem 700 ~ 3345 fps

22-250 Rem, Nosler TG 55gr BT ~ 3550 fps claimed
26" Savage ~ 3580 fps

243 Win, Federal PS 80gr SP ~ 3330 fps claimed
26" Rem 700 ~ 3408 fps

243 Win, Browning 97gr BXR ~ 3100 fps claimed
22" Win 70 ~ 2975 fps

243 Win, Federal PS 100gr SP ~ 2960 fps claimed
26" Rem 700 ~ 3001 fps

6mm Rem, Remington 100gr CorLokt ~ 3100 fps claimed
24" Ruger 77 ~ 3104 fps

25-06, Remington 120gr CorLokt ~ 2990 fps claimed
24" Wby MkV ~ 2919 fps

6.5 Grendel. Hornady Black 123gr ELD ~ 2580 fps claimed
19.6" Odin SLR ~ 2396 fps

6.5 Creedmoor, Hornady Match 120gr Amax ~ 2910 fps
24" Ruger Precision Rifle ~ 2863 fps

6.5 Creedmoor, Hornady Superformance 129gr SST ~ 2950 fps
24" Ruger Precision Rifle ~ 2945 fps

6.5 Creedmoor, Hornady Match 140gr Amax ~ 2710 fps
24" Ruger Precision Rifle ~ 2715 fps

6.5 Creedmoor, Hornady American Gunner 140gr BTHP ~ 2690 fps
20" Tikka CTR ~ 2512 fps

6.5 Creedmoor, Hornady Precision Hunter 143gr ELD-X ~ 2700 fps
24" Ruger Precision Rifle ~ 2657 fps

260 Rem, Federal Fusion 120gr ~ 2950 fps claimed
23" RMR ~ 2970 fps
26" Savage ~ 3060 fps

260 Rem, Federal Premium 120gr Barnes TSX ~ 2930 fps claimed
20" Rem Model Seven ~ 2751 fps

260 Rem, Nosler TG 125gr Partition ~ 2950 fps claimed
23" RMR ~ 2965 fps

26 Nosler, Nosler TG 140gr Accubond ~ 3300 fps claimed
26" Fierce ~ 3294 fps

26 Nosler, Nosler TGLR 142gr ABLR ~ 3300 fps claimed
26" Fierce ~ 3306 fps

270 Win, Federal Power Shok 130gr ~ 3060 fps claimed
22" Ruger American ~ 2956 fps

270 Win, Hornady AW 140gr BTSP ~ 2940 fps claimed
24" Remington 700 ~ 2895 fps
22" Ruger American ~ 2865 fps

270 Win, Hornady Superformance 140gr SST ~ 3090 fps claimed
24" Remington 700 ~ 3039 fps
22" Ruger American ~ 2958 fps

270 Win, Federal Power Shok 150gr ~ 2830 fps claimed
22" Ruger American ~ 2734 fps

270 WSM, Federal Power Shok 130gr ~ 3250 fps claimed
24" Winchester m70 ~ 3301 fps

270WSM, Federal Premium 140gr Nosler Accubond ~ 3200 fps claimed
24" Winchester m70 ~ 3147 fps

270WSM, Winchester Supreme 140gr Fail Safe ~ 3125 fps claimed
24" Winchester m70 ~ 3010 fps

270WSM, Winchester Super X 150gr Power Point ~ 3150 fps claimed
24" Winchester m70 ~ 3146 fps

270WSM, Federal Premium 150gr Nosler Partition ~ 3100 fps
24" Winchester m70 ~ 3201 fps

7mm-08 Rem, Federal Fusion 120gr ~ 3000 fps claimed
22" Savage 11 ~ 3040 fps

7mm-08 Rem, Hornady AW 139gr SP ~ 2840 fps claimed
20" Browning Xbolt ~ 2650 fps

7mm-08 Rem, Federal 140gr BT ~ 2800 fps claimed
20" Rem m7 ~ 2780 fps

7mm-08 Rem, Federal 140gr Partition ~ 2800 fps claimed
20" Rem m7 ~ 2805 fps

7mm-08 Rem, Federal 140gr Accubond ~ 2850 fps claimed
20.4" Sako 85 ~ 2787 fps

280 Rem, Federal Fusion 140gr ~ 2990 fps claimed
24" Rem 700 ~ 2900 fps

280 Ackley, Nosler TG 140gr Accubond ~ 3150 fps claimed
24" Kimber 84L ~ 3007 fps
22.5" Benchmark ~ 3066 fps

280 Ackley, Nosler TGLR 150gr ABLR ~ 2930 fps claimed
24" Nosler 48 ~ 2998 fps

280 Ackley, Nosler TG 160gr Partition ~ 2950 fps claimed
24" Nosler 48 ~ 2861 fps
24" Kimber 84L ~ 2855 fps

280 Ackley, Hornady Precision Hunter 162gr ELDx ~ 280 fps claimed
24" Kimber 84L ~ 2897 fps

7mm Rem SA Ultra, Nosler TG 160gr Accubond ~ 2850 fps claimed
26" RMR ~ 2917 fps

7mm WSM, Federal Fusion 150gr ~ 3100 fps claimed
24" Win m70 ~ 3134 fps

7mm WSM, Federal Premium 160gr Trophy Bonded Tip ~ 3000 fps claimed
24" Win m70 ~ 3100 fps

7mm Rem Mag, Remington 150gr Core Lokt ~ 3110 fps claimed
24.4" Tikka T3x ~ 2993 fps

7mm Rem Mag, Hornady American WT 154gr Interlock ~ 3035 fps claimed
24.4" Tikka T3x ~ 2744 fps

7mm Rem Mag, Federal Premium 160gr Nosler Partition ~ 2950 fps claimed
24.4" Tikka T3x ~ 2800 fps

7mm Rem Mag, Hornady Precision Hunter 162gr ELD-X ~ 2940 fps claimed
24" Sako ~ 2903 fps

7mm Rem Mag, Nosler TGLR 168gr ABLR ~ 2880 fps claimed
24" Sako ~ 2877 fps

300 AAC Blackout, Hornady 208gr Amax ~ 1020 fps claimed
16.5" Rem 700 ~ 974 fps

308 Win, Remington CoreLokt 150gr PSP ~ 2820 fps claimed
16.1" Ruger m77 ~ 2496 fps

308 Win, Remington CoreLokt Ultra Bonded 150gr ~ 2820 fps claimed
18.8" Ruger m77 ~ 2545 fps

308 Win, Hornady American WT 150gr SP ~ 2820 fps claimed
18.8" Ruger m77 ~ 2651 fps

308 Win, Nosler TG 150gr Accubond ~ 2875 fps claimed
16.1" Ruger ~ 2446 fps

308 Win, Federal Fusion 165gr ~ 2700 fps claimed
18.8" Ruger m77 ~ 2549 fps

308 Win, Nosler TG 165gr Accubond ~ 2800 fps claimed
20" Savage ~ 2685 fps
18.8" Ruger m77 ~ 2565 fps

308 Win, Hornady Superformance 165gr Interbond ~ 2840 fps claimed
18.8" Ruger m77 ~ 2650 fps

308 Win, Hornady Match 168gr Amax ~ 2700 fps claimed
16.1" Ruger m77 ~ 2546 fps
20.1" Tikka T3x ~ 2588 fps

308 Win, Hornady Precision Hunter 178gr ELD-X ~ 2600 fps claimed
18.8" Ruger m77 ~ 2500 fps

308 Win, Winchester Super X 180gr PP ~ 2620 fps claimed
26" Winchester m70 ~ 2675 fps

308 Win, Remington CorLokt 180gr PSP ~ 2620 fps claimed
26" Winchester m70 ~ 2690 fps

308 Win, Federal Premium 180gr Nosler Partition ~ 2570 fps claimed
18.8" Ruger m77 ~ 2424 fps

308 Win, Federal Premium 180gr Trophy Bonded Tip ~ 2620 fps claimed
18.8" Ruger m77 ~ 2441 fps

30-06, Federal Fusion 165gr ~ 2790 fps claimed
24" Weatherby Vanguard ~ 2845 fps

30-06, Nosler Trophy Grade 165gr Accubond ~ 2800 fps claimed
22.4" Sako ~ 2860 fps

30-06, Hornady Precision Hunter 178gr ELDX ~ 2750 fps claimed
24" Weatherby Vanguard ~ 2700 fps

30-06, Federal Power Shok 180gr SP ~ 2700 fps claimed
22" Savage 111 ~ 2759 fps

300 SAUM, Remington 165gr PSP ~ 3075 fps claimed
22" Remington 700 ~ 2957 fps

300 WSM, Winchester Powermax 150gr ~ 3270 fps claimed
24" Win m70 ~ 3290 fps

300 WSM, Federal Fusion 165gr ~ 3100 fps claimed
24" Win m70 ~ 3118 fps

300 WSM, Federal Fusion 180gr ~ 2950 fps claimed
25" Fierce ~ 3024 fps

300 WSM, Nosler TG 180gr Accubond ~ 2900 fps claimed
25" Fierce ~ 2935 fps
24" Win m70 ~ 2839 fps

300 WSM, Winchester Super X 180gr PP ~ 2970 fps claimed
25" Fierce ~ 3071 fps
24" Winchester m70 ~ 3046 fps
23" Browning Xbolt ~ 3045 fps

300 WSM, Federal 180gr Partition ~ 2980 fps claimed
23" Browning Xbolt ~ 2990 fps
23" Browning Xbolt ~ 3032 fps

300 WSM, Federal 180gr Trophy Bonded Tip ~ 2960 fps claimed
23" Browning Xbolt ~ 2964 fps

300 Win Mag, Federal 130gr Barnes TTSX ~ 3500 fps claimed
24" Savage 116 ~ 3578 fps

300 Win Mag, Federal PS 150gr ~ 3280 fps claimed
24" Savage 116 ~ 3139 fps

300 Win Mag, Hornady Superformance 165gr GMX ~ 3260 fps claimed
24.4" Sako85 ~ 3197 fps

300 Win Mag, Federal Fusion 180gr ~ 2960 fps claimed
24" Savage 116 ~ 2950 fps
26" Winchester m70 ~ 2916 fps

300 Win Mag, Remington Premier 180gr Scirocco ~ 2960 fps claimed
24" Savage 116 ~ 2954 fps

300 Win Mag, Winchester Supreme 180gr Accubond CT ~ 2950 fps claimed
26" Ruger ~ 2990 fps

300 Win Mag, Nosler TG 180gr Accubond ~ 2950 fps claimed
26" Ruger ~ 2820 fps
26" Winchester m70 ~ 2767 fps

300 Win Mag, Hornady Precision Hunter 200gr ELD-X ~ 2860 fps claimed
26" Browning Xbolt ~ 2786 fps
26" Ruger no1 ~ 2865 fps

300 Ultra, Nosler TG 180gr Accubond ~ 3250 fps claimed
26" Rem 700 ~ 3140 fps

300 Weatherby, Nosler TG 180gr Accubond ~ 3175 fps claimed
26" Wby MkV ~ 3298 fps

303 British, Winchester Super X 180gr Silvertip ~ 2460 fps claimed
22" Ruger ~ 2300 fps

8mm Rem Mag, Remington Premier 200gr A-Frame ~ 3000 fps claimed
24" Rem 700 ~ 2915 fps

338 Federal, Federal Premium 185gr Barnes TSX ~ 2750 fps claimed
22.4" Tikka T3 ~ 2680 fps

338 Federal, Federal Fusion 200gr ~ 2700 fps claimed
22" Ruger m77 ~ 2720 fps
22.4" Sako 85 ~ 2670 fps
22.4" Tikka T3 ~ 2586 fps

338 Win Mag, Barnes Vor-Tx 210gr TTSX ~ 2865 fps claimed
26" Browning Xbolt ~ 2912 fps

338 Win Mag, Federal Premium 210gr Nosler Partition ~ 2830 fps claimed
24" Fierce Edge ~ 2907 fps

375 Ruger, Hornady 250gr GMX ~ 2900 fps claimed
20" Ruger m77 Guide gun ~ 2738 fps

375 Ruger, Hornady 270gr SP ~ 2840 fps claimed
20" Ruger m77 Alaskan ~ 2800 fps
20" Ruger m77 Guide Gun ~ 2708 fps
20" Ruger m77 Alaskan ~ 2723 fps

44 Magnum, Hornady Leverevolution 224gr FTX ~ 1410 fps claimed (7.5" pistol test barrel)
16.5" Marlin 1894 ~ 1721 fps

44 Magnum, Federal American Eagle 240gr SP ~ 1230 fps claimed (7.5" pistol test barrel)
16.5" Marlin 1894 ~ 1761 fps

44 Magnum, Hornady 300gr XTP ~ 1150 fps claimed (7.5" pistol test barrel)
16.5" Marlin 1894 ~ 1300 fps

45/70 Gvt, Hornady 325gr Leverevolution FTX ~ 2050 fps claimed
18.5" Marlin ~ 1970 fps

45/70 Gvt, Remington 405gr ~ 1330 fps claimed
18.5" Marlin ~ 1040 fps

 

[1-trident-1]

just tells me that different barrel lengths, condition and chamber will give different results. we know nothing about the barrel used for testing. the 338 section is very telling.

 

[buffdog]

.
Many of the ammunition tested by the manufacturers are fired through 26 inch pressure barrels from a very solid fixed machine rest. Shorter barrels of actual hunting rifles generally produce lesser velocoties, but it also depends upon chamber and barrel condition and tolerances.

Under practical hunting conditions, 100 feet per second will not really make too much difference and a game animal hit with the bullet will go down if the shot is placed right.

Accuracy and bullet performance is the key. It is no good having something going like a bat out of hell if you can not hit anything with it, or it performs miserably when it hits.

 

[sookie_69]

That 300fps difference on the 45 70 could cause some accuracy issues....

 

[emerson]

It mean that if you shoot most hunting calibers over 200yds, you need to chrono the ammo in your rifle, otherwise it may often shoot somewhere you don’t expect it to.

 

[adamthebad]

just tells me that different barrel lengths, condition and chamber will give different results. we know nothing about the barrel used for testing. the 338 section is very telling.

what about powder....from what Hornady reload book has for recipes powders are supposed to have a say in speeds and accuracy...yes?? no??

 

[adamthebad]

.
Many of the ammunition tested by the manufacturers are fired through 26 inch pressure barrels from a very solid fixed machine rest. Shorter barrels of actual hunting rifles generally produce lesser velocoties, but it also depends upon chamber and barrel condition and tolerances.

Under practical hunting conditions, 100 feet per second will not really make too much difference and a game animal hit with the bullet will go down if the shot is placed right.

Accuracy and bullet performance is the key. It is no good having something going like a bat out of hell if you can not hit anything with it, or it performs miserably when it hits.

some Hornady recipes use 24 barrels, custom barrel, Lilja...

 

[1899]

Is the .300 Wby a misprint???

 

[JJ-65]

Lots of options for recoil sensitive shooters. Lol

 

[todbartell]

Is the .300 Wby a misprint???

no. That was measured with Labradar. Crazy eh

 

[1899]

no. That was measured with Labradar. Crazy eh

Wow - that is amazing!

 

[Longwalker]

Those "Reality" figures are the average of how many shots?? Measured how far from the muzzle? If not at least 5 shots at the same standard distance they don't mean much. Methodology matters. If done consistently and with a reasonable number of samples, this is a good comparison. If not, it may be just more fluff with the figures.

 

[nowarningshot]

Those 308 win numbers are worse than spec 303.

 

[Gatehouse]

Those "Reality" figures are the average of how many shots?? Measured how far from the muzzle? If not at least 5 shots at the same standard distance they don't mean much. Methodology matters. If done consistently and with a reasonable number of samples, this is a good comparison. If not, it may be just more fluff with the figures.

The muzzle basically sits beside the labradar. It gives you MV as well as velocities out to 100 M

 

[todbartell]

Those "Reality" figures are the average of how many shots?? Measured how far from the muzzle? If not at least 5 shots at the same standard distance they don't mean much. Methodology matters. If done consistently and with a reasonable number of samples, this is a good comparison. If not, it may be just more fluff with the figures.

average would typically be 3-5 rounds, measured either from a Labradar Doppler (majority) or a Shooting Chrony set up at 10' (expect 10 fps loss from muzzle to 10') - the info is relevant. Some of the results are from strings of up to 30 rounds

 

[Falconflyer]

no. That was measured with Labradar. Crazy eh

I've seen other 300 wby's get higher than expected numbers as well.

 

[MiG25]

Those 308 win numbers are worse than spec 303.

I've said it before on this forum, that a short barreled 308 is not far ahead of the 7.62x39 in an SKS, really a slightly heavier bullet (24-27 grains) at approx the same velocity.

 

[Eagleye]

The velocity figures offered by the ammunition manufacturers have always been suspect.
I remember chronographing some 180 grain 30-06 ammo, 180 grain advertised at 2700 fps,
which did not quite make 2400 in a 24" barrel, and some 300 Win Mag 180s that just made
2800 fps. Thanks, Mark for the rundown. Dave.

 

[Fassteel]

The velocity figures offered by the ammunition manufacturers have always been suspect.
I remember chronographing some 180 grain 30-06 ammo, 180 grain advertised at 2700 fps,
which did not quite make 2400 in a 24" barrel, and some 300 Win Mag 180s that just made
2800 fps. Thanks, Mark for the rundown. Dave.

same with velocities in reloading manuals

 

[yodave]

just goes to prove that left handed rifles are way slower then those with the bolt handle on the right side......
Years ago myself and a hunting partner both bought brand new 300 win mags, over the crony with the same loads during load developement his barrel was a solid 150 FPS faster, he told me that because I was a runt and not being able to hold the rifle forward for the shot I was losing velocity due to the gun pushing me off the bench