Hornady's Light Magnum???

[rahtreelimbs]

On the the "Light Magnum" series of ammo.......just what are they doing to achieve such performance?

I remember reading sometime ago that the powder charge is higher. My guess was that they were using a slighly slower powder and somehow "staging" the powder charge!

 

[snuffy]

Can't be duplicated

If that's what you're asking, then we, as handloaders can't duplicate the "light magnums". It appears to be a compressed load of some special powder, only available to the factory.

If by "staged" you mean a duplex charge,( a small charge of fast powder under a large charge of slow powder), that is also a possibility. Again, not something we can match for that "better" performance.

 

[firechicken]

A few years ago, a friend of mine had some Hornady 30-06 150gr Light Mag ammo. I had him fire a few rounds over my chronograph. We were not impressed. I don't have the data handy, but they were all in the 2950fps range. Hornady says 3100fps. I don't remember the how long the barrel was, but I'm sure it was 22" or 24". 2950fps with a 150gr bullet in 30-06 should be easily reached for a handloader. IMR and Hogdon both list loads over 3000fps from a 24" barrel.

 

[mrawesome22]

They are mixing 2 different powders into the case. I doubt this kind of powder data will ever be available to the public. Just imagine if Joe reloader got the charges for each powder backwards And I doubt they can exceed what the reloader can produce anyway. Another thing, just cause it's faster don't mean it's better. I'll take a slower, more accurate cartridge anyday.

Just as a side note, I love Hornady bullets for reloading. But I've never shot a really accurate Hornady factory round. I'm sure many have, but I haven't.

 

[30Cal]

I shoot a 7x57 with a 140gr Sierra gameking and H414. The Hornady Light Magnum pretty much duplicates my load--same zero at least out to 200yds.

Ty

 

[paknheat]

Hornady uses a "blend" for both the Light and HEAVY Mag. loads I was told by a Hornady rep that Ramshot magnum is one of the propellant used for these loads.I have never tried them though, as i preferr to make my own. My freinds wife shoots the light mag. loads in both her .243 Win and 7mm Rem Mag and swears by them.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

I don't know much about reloading for gas operated semiautomatics, but their website has a warning not to use light magnums for gas semiautos. I wonder if the pressure profile, not necessarily the maximum pressure, is substantially different from traditional loads. Their marketing fluff says they use a new, "cool burning" powder.

Andy