Hey guys, was reading a guns and ammo mag at my dads today and saw an advertisment for hornady steel match ammunition. I was wondering if anybody has used this ammo yet to see how it works and if its really "match" ready as they clame. Would be nice to have a cheap plinking ammo that also shoots well as to not eat up all my reloads on the wood pile.... HThanks, brian.
hornady steel match ammo...
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Maverick223
Member
All rifles are different, and mine just may not care for it, but my experience (only with .223Rem.) wasn't all that grand...not as bad a Wolf, et al, by any means, but not as well as most varmint/match cartridges either. I will say that it cycled fine, but accuracy left a bit to be desired. Besides, you don't get brass for reloading. FWIW, I doubt I'll buy any more (for any chambering).
The stuff shoots well enough in the rifles that I've tried it with, but the brass is one element of the load and I don't think that it can quite reach "match" grade with the steel cases. If you can get it cheap enough, it certainly shoots well.
Of course, your rifle may like them a lot.
Of course, your rifle may like them a lot.
1stmarine
Member
It doesn't work. The word match means something else than accurate loads.
Lapua brass and reload if you are serious.
Cheers.
E.
Lapua brass and reload if you are serious.
Cheers.
E.
Maverick223
Member
What would that be?...matching the proper cartridge to the chambering?
I have to agree on the last statement, but some factory match (most notably Fed. GMM) does quite well.
USSR
Member
"Match" is a term that is used fast and loose like "Mil-Spec" and "Tactical" is among retailers. As with all purchases, "caveat emptor".
Don
Don
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
I've used the predecessor (Hornady Training) and it works just fine for me. Perfect reliability and accuracy is typically MOA or better for 5-shot groups at 100yds. I guess you can argue over whether that is "match" but it is a damn sight better than most other $0.30 per round ammo, so I don't quibble too much.
I will say that the same ammo would not function in a friend's Armalite, even though that rifle has been remarkably reliable with brass case. It would fire one round and short stroke every time with Hornady steel case. So you probably want to try before buying in bulk.
I will say that the same ammo would not function in a friend's Armalite, even though that rifle has been remarkably reliable with brass case. It would fire one round and short stroke every time with Hornady steel case. So you probably want to try before buying in bulk.
wnycollector
Member
I'm still waiting for my 200 rounds of 75gr match .223 from cabelas on back order. I had $50 in gift cards and a $20 off coupon so I figured that I would give it a try. When I get it I will report on how it shoots out to 300 yards.
1stmarine
Member
They do work. I am jut saying do not expect anything huge.
Best think is to test one box or two before you go for more.
My best loads are all home made with good brass.
Best think is to test one box or two before you go for more.
My best loads are all home made with good brass.
1stmarine
Member
Federal match with SMK does great for a good price.
I meant steel not for high expectations.
Match means "competition" means if ones is serious then need "Actual Match" loads. The rest is just marketing.
I meant steel not for high expectations.
Match means "competition" means if ones is serious then need "Actual Match" loads. The rest is just marketing.
1stmarine
Member
and lets not forget the chamber they are made for...
There are 4 or 5 chamber specs out there..
the most popular are .223rem, 5.56 nato and wylde chambers.
There are 4 or 5 chamber specs out there..
the most popular are .223rem, 5.56 nato and wylde chambers.
This holds for me also.
I guess there is match and then there is match....basically this steel stuff is geared towards the more action oriented IPSC/IDPA/3 Gun crowd (and also tactical training types), where you are often on the move and don't recover much of your brass.....so the savings over top flite ammo are worth it, especially as the action sports are not as demanding accuracywise, although there are plenty of situations where you still greatly benefit with ammo that is better than run of the mill.
If shooting from the bench/static positions, you can always pick it all up, and that type of shooting demands more precision, so you'd be better off with brass and rolling your own.
Maverick223
Member
I'm with you on that...thought you were referring to match in general not referring to accuracy.
Thanks for all the info guys. Im just looking to keep shooting, and a deal is getting harder and harder to come by these days. Expecially with handgun ammo. 45 and 9 are getting so rediculose ive actually had to leave the pistols at home the past couple outings just because i cant afford it. ill pick up some and try to report back here when i find out how it does. Thanks again, brian.
1stmarine
Member
I know we are in the same page. I never new what some rifles could do until I started reloading many years ago.
In any case military .308win rounds are pretty consistent. .223 nato rounds I get very good results too.
Also the Federal match stuff shoots sometimes better than the most expensive match ammo. It is a matter of testing and knowing what your system likes.
Cheers.
E.
In any case military .308win rounds are pretty consistent. .223 nato rounds I get very good results too.
Also the Federal match stuff shoots sometimes better than the most expensive match ammo. It is a matter of testing and knowing what your system likes.
Cheers.
E.
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