Hornady 6.5 PRC 147 ELD match low velocity

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Archer Sam

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I tried the Hornady 6.5 PRC 147 ELD Match ammo in my Tikka Roughtech yesterday. Advertised velocity was 2910 fps. My Garmin C1 Pro was reading an average speed of 2775. Primers didn't look any different from unfired shells other than the primer mark in the middle. Primers didn't even start to flatten Has anyone else had this issue with low velocity from these shells.

Thanks in advance.
 
I would agree with JJ, I recently chrono’d some 143ELDX and averaged 2850 fps. I will say though, I tested two boxes, from different lots and there was definitely a speed difference.
 
Thank you for all the replies. I just bought this ammo to try the gun out because I didn't have time to do any loading before hand. I reload so this will likely be the only factory ammo I will buy. 3 shots to center the rifle on target then shot a separate 3/4 inch group for 4 shots. This rifle will be used for hunting mostly. 6.5 PRC is a lot milder recoil than I was expecting. The 270 Tikka I had felt like it recoiled more with 130 gn ammo to me.
 
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velocity on the box was generated with a 24 inch barrel, guessing your tikka has a 20.5 inch barrel, and those hammer forged barrels are well known for being slow but accurate, but the flip side is, you're a little faster then a tikka in 6.5 creedmoor at a significant higher price per smile
 
The only ammo that has been close to advertised velocity in my 6.5 PRC Tikka (minus average losses for a shorter barrel in the CTR) was some Gunwerks loaded ammunition everything else has been slower than expected.

I also don’t handload the ELD-M in 6.5 PRC so I’ve never tried to achieve Hornady velocities. I have some for my 6.5 Swede so maybe when I get loading again I will see what I can work up.

B
 
yodave said:
velocity on the box was generated with a 24 inch barrel, guessing your tikka has a 20.5 inch barrel, and those hammer forged barrels are well known for being slow but accurate, but the flip side is, you're a little faster then a tikka in 6.5 creedmoor at a significant higher price per smile
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Barrel on the Tikka Roughtec is 24 inches. That's why I was surprised it was that slow.
Got it on sale at Bullseye for $1050.($1186 delivered to my door) $500 off regular price
My Creedmoor is a Ruger Predator. It was running about 100 fps slower with 140 gn Federal.
Love 6.5 guns.
 
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Archer Sam said:
Barrel on the Tikka Roughtec is 24 inches. That's why I was surprised it was that slow.
Got it on sale at Bullseye for $1050.($1186 delivered to my door) $500 off regular price
My Creedmoor is a Ruger Predator. It was running about 100 fps slower with 140 gn Federal.
Love 6.5 guns.
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how many rounds on the Tikka, it may speed up a fair bit from new, but ya, I see your head scratcher now, Hornadys claimed velocity has been pretty much spot on in my 24 inch barrels, none of which are Tikka, but still, they were new and factory ammo was used for break in and brass collection
 
yodave said:
how many rounds on the Tikka, it may speed up a fair bit from new, but ya, I see your head scratcher now, Hornadys claimed velocity has been pretty much spot on in my 24 inch barrels, none of which are Tikka, but still, they were new and factory ammo was used for break in and brass collection
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Grand total of round fired is 7. I ran out of time to do any more shooting. Most of my other rifles are 20 inch or shorter barrels so I expect the velocity to be short of advertised but this was a bit of a disappointment. I will do some load development and see what I can squeeze out of it. Will probably be using Barnes 127 LRX for hunting. I have a box of Hornady 129 gn soft points I can use for break in. As you say hopefully it will get a little faster with use.
 
Cookiemunster said:
I would agree with JJ, I recently chrono’d some 143ELDX and averaged 2850 fps. I will say though, I tested two boxes, from different lots and there was definitely a speed difference.
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I’ve pulled the bullets on different lots of it. One lot has what looks like RL-26 power. Another has ball powder that appeared to be US 869
 
Christensen Arms Mesa Long Range 26" barrel 147 ELDM Hornady average was 2919, 143 ELDX was 2972 when the barrel was new, I still have some left and will check it again next time I'm out as I'm sure it's sped up a bit. I would think that out of a barrel 6" shorter you are close to bang on what it should be.
I could not find RL26 as it is ferry dust, I loaded some 142 NABLR with 67.5gr US869 velocity was about 50 FPS slower but accuracy was very good, have some test loads with the same charge but with 143 ELDX loaded to try, been so dam cold here for 2 weeks haven't been to the range to see how they shoot.
 
waldo54 said:
Christensen Arms Mesa Long Range 26" barrel 147 ELDM Hornady average was 2919, 143 ELDX was 2972 when the barrel was new, I still have some left and will check it again next time I'm out as I'm sure it's sped up a bit. I would think that out of a barrel 6" shorter you are close to bang on what it should be.
I could not find RL26 as it is ferry dust, I loaded some 142 NABLR with 67.5gr US869 velocity was about 50 FPS slower but accuracy was very good, have some test loads with the same charge but with 143 ELDX loaded to try, been so dam cold here for 2 weeks haven't been to the range to see how they shoot.
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Thanks for the reply.
My barrel is 24 inches. I have some 143 ELDX I can load up to do some testing.
 
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