WARNING: HSM .45 ACP 230 gr. PHP

[blueskyjaunte]

Hi folks,

I'm a big .45 shooter but not yet a reloader mostly due to laziness on my part.

At the height of the ammo rush, I found a couple boxes of HSM .45 ACP 230 gr plated hollow points at Sportsman's Warehouse and decided to give them a try for lack of anything else available (and my JHP supply was dwindling).

Problem #1: These would not feed/chamber in any of my semi-autos. No 1911s, not my FNP-45, nor my XD-S. In frustration I stacked the boxes of ammo in the back of my safe and promptly forgot about them.

Problem #2: Taking out my S&W 325 TR for its maiden voyage, I happened to remember these cartridges and realized they would probably "chamber" in a revolver without any problems. They did, so off to the range I went. The 325 performed admirably with FMJ, so I loaded up a moon clip full of the PHPs. Upon firing the fourth round, the bullet from #5 (or #6) dribbled out the front of the cylinder and landed on the floor. Powder everywhere, etc.

Whenever I get setup for reloading .45 I will be pulling these bullets, resizing all of the cases, and reloading them with a sufficient crimp.

Forewarned is forearmed...

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

A one time event is just that, a one time event. I've shot a lot of HSM with no problem what so ever. Like anything YMMV, be it ammo,food or cars.

 

[splithoof]

I will never use/purchase/recommend HSM (Hunting Shack Munitions) for anything, IMO; I purchased some of their .308 168 BTHPM loads, only to find that the ammo used surplus military Berdan-primed brass, and what looked like very old stick powder that burned very dirty in every rifle I tried it in. Accuracy off the bench in a number of rifles that usually give very good results was very sub-standard.

 

[rugerdude]

Hmmm, I remember buying a bunch of their ammo maybe 5 or 6 years ago and it being just fine. I've actually still got some of their .223 which has been great. I've also shot their .357 magnum, 9mm and .38 special loads without incident.

I mean, I guess it's the risk you take buying re-manufactured ammo, but for practice ammo, it usually can't be beat. I'm not surprised they don't make the cleanest or most accurate loads, but then again you aren't paying a premium price.

 

[splithoof]

^^^When I purchased it (internet, trusted source), the claim was that it was NEW; the components may have all been "new", as in never fired, but it sure looked like stuff assembled from various pulled surplus rounds. I pulled bullets from about ten rounds, and weighed the powder charges, only to discover variation of two grains on average. A few of the bullets appeared to have remnants of sealer. The cases however had never been fired, and the original Berdan primers were in place. Several in each box were duds as well.

 

[Al Thompson]

I'd contact HSM Customer service and see what they might do for you.

 

[GoWolfpack]

I got 100 rounds of their 300 gr 500 magnum with the revolver I bought. One in five haven't fired on the first hit. Several haven't fired after the third hit. I'm not impressed.

It is the least expensive 500 magnum available anywhere at $1.25/round new. But there's a reason for that, apparently.

 

[Jim K]

The incident the OP reports sounds like the powder failed to ignite, but the primer had enough power to push the bullet out the barrel. Definitely bum ammo, but the cases and/or bullets might be salvageable.

Jim

 

[blueskyjaunte]

A one time event is just that, a one time event. I've shot a lot of HSM with no problem what so ever. Like anything YMMV, be it ammo,food or cars.

Of course YMMV, but there were two issues here and the one-time event applies only to the second issue. A statistically significant sample size of cartridges from multiple boxes failed to chamber in any semi-auto that I own.

The incident the OP reports sounds like the powder failed to ignite, but the primer had enough power to push the bullet out the barrel. Definitely bum ammo, but the cases and/or bullets might be salvageable.

To clarify, this was a bullet that fell out of chamber #5 (or #6, I cannot recall) just after chamber #4 had fired. The primer was never struck--in fact the cartridge was never even aligned with the barrel.

Although I have not taken measurements, the two issues here point to a failure by HSM to properly taper crimp the final product. Or, if their process excludes any sort of crimp for .45 ACP, the case mouth was over-expanded. Either (or both) of these possibilities would account for both issues I had.

I'd contact HSM Customer service and see what they might do for you.

Probably a good idea, but my receipt is long gone, and it has been several months since the purchase. I suppose I could supply them with the info stamped on the boxes so they know which batch(es) were affected.

 

[moxie]

The problem with the bullet jumping crimp and falling out the front of the cylinder was likely not due to poor crimp but lack of sufficient neck tension. I'm sure you've shot plenty of more powerful and only taper crimped .45acp out of that 325 without that happening.

By all means contact HSM. The info on the box is what they need.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

No 1911s, not my FNP-45, nor my XD-S

Hmm, those are the same .45 acp's I own. Good taste!!!!

To clarify, this was a bullet that fell out of chamber #5 (or #6, I cannot recall) just after chamber #4 had fired. The primer was never struck--in fact the cartridge was never even aligned with the barrel.

I know this isn't helpful, but this kind of makes me laugh a little. Picturing it is funny.

 

[blueskyjaunte]

My buddy did have a good laugh. I probably would have, too, had I not been busy trying to figure out what the heck had happened!

 

[PJSprog]

I'd contact HSM Customer service and see what they might do for you.

Yes. Too many people these days are too quick to jump online and start bashing a product or manufacturer before trying to find a resolution first. They cannot know you had a problem unless you tell them. In my experience, most in this industry will make it right for you. But, they have to know first. Give them a call.

 

[blueskyjaunte]

My apologies, I was just trying to pass on some information to my fellow shooters about a non-trivial product defect. Next time I will simply hold my tongue.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'd contact HSM Customer service and see what they might do for you.

Probably a good idea, but my receipt is long gone, and it has been several months since the purchase. I suppose I could supply them with the info stamped on the boxes so they know which batch(es) were affected.

The reason retail stores require a sales receipt it to be sure you bought the product at their store and not somewhere else. When dealing with a manufacturer there is no doubt they made the product because they are the only ones who make that product under that name. I have never had a ammo manufacturer request a sales receipt. Actually, they may will probably be happy you told them about the problem and they will probably request you return any ammo you have left so they can find the problem. I would also give them a call and see what they will do for you...