I just fired some hornady 200 gr FTX out of a brand new 460 XVR Performance Center ( 1st time fired ). The primers were blown back on several and out on the last one. Whats up with that?

Boy oh boy, that ain't right!

Probably defective ammo. I wouldn't shoot any more of it (you probably wouldn't have anyway) and call Hornaday Monday morning.

I sent them (Hornady) an email with a pic as soon as I got home. See what they say. I also sent an email to S&W. More then likely they will blame each other. I will update as soon as I hear.

This isn't directly applicable but possibly of interest.

I shoot VERY little factory ammo but the only factory ammo I've ever shot that had pressure problems was a box of Hornady ammo I bought for a .454 Casull. When shot out of a Ruger SuperRedhawk, extraction was really hard. I've had the impression that Hornady ammo brass is on the soft side.

I don't think S&W will blow you off, both the ammo company and they have a vested interest in knowing why something didn't go well. Good luck. Don

Interesting Don, Thanks!

How was extraction? Primers excessively flattened or cratered? Most of the time with my .460, extraction gets sticky long before primers show excessive pressure. IME, the factory 200gr FTXs are not loaded that hot.....but then I ain't shot 'em for quite some time. I'm interested to hear what Hornady and S&W say also.

Extraction was tough. I had to give a good rap on the rod. Good thing I only fired 3 shot strings at a time. I will let you know, when I hear back.

HERE is S&W's words of wisdom:

Hello, after looking at the picture it looks like there may have been an iddue with the primers on the ammo itself. We recommend trying a different lot of ammo to see if the issue is corrected. If you need any more assistance please contact our support team at 800-331-0852 ext 2905 M-F 8am-8pm EST.
Thank You

Makes sense. I will be more interested in what you hear from Hornady. I wouldn't shoot that gun any more until you hear from them.

I did fire some .45LC, both SAA loads and a half dozen I loaded to T/C pressures. They fired fine, no pressure signs at all.

I have used Hornady 200 grain SST's through my 5" 460v for 3 years with no issues...about 600 rounds.

I have shot Hornady 300 SST's in my 4" 500 model the past 4 years with no problems...about 300 rounds.

Sounds like a bad batch of ammo from Hornady.

As has been said, don't use the Hornady ammo until it has been cleared and even then, I'd be suspicious.

I once had a conversation with John Linebaugh, certainly a highly knowledgeable revolver man. He said he had seen ammo fired out of single action revolvers that was wildly overpressure (in this instance, he said 70,000 psi) fall right out of the cylinders so relying on sticky extraction as the sign of excessive pressure isn't a good idea. Don

Hornady's initial response-
Steven either the rim thickness would have to be a bit thin or your headspace would have to be a little to excessive if you would like to send the pictures to me at [email protected] I can take a look at them Thanks

Do you think it is ok to reload this brass? I hate to think I spent 30$ for cartridges I cant reload.

Might have helped if you posted this in your 1st post....

__________________
Jack C

I would wait to see what Hornady tells you. It is easy to measure the thickness of the rim of the cartridges with an ordinary micrometer. You can compare what you get with other .460 cartridges to see if they are substantially thinner.

I am not familiar with .460 revolvers (whether they have a counterbored chamber for the cartridge rim, or whether the back of the cylinder is flat like a modern 44 Magnum) but it is no great problem to check the headspace of your gun, either using a feeler gage (if a flat rear cylinder face) or gage disks (if counterbored). If you have a machinist friend, he can help you with the measurements, or any gunsmith should be able to check that aspect of your gun out without great expense. You have to consider any endshake, too.

I would not place any particular importance on the fact that the gun fired .45 Colt cartridges without incident. The pressures the .460 operates at are an entirely different thing.

Hornady looking at the pictures now, they wanted to know if rds were reloads or factory? , guess he didnt read my first email to him. Now he wants the lot number, ( which was in the first email).

I measured the headspace. There is almost no play forward or aft in the cylinder. .063 from rear of cylinder to front edge of frame. .005 clearance with a spent hornady rd chambered. also .005 cyclinder gap to barrel. All normal in my opinion. Hornady ammo has to be issue. Will fire another brand and see.

Hornady replacing the brass. Said to try another box and see what happens. Said to stop and send box to them if pressure an issue again. I can live with that.

standing by for update. A buddy has just bought a 460 and we are preparing to do some reloads as well as use Hornady factory loads.

__________________
Dum vivimus Vivamas

Ok thanks. Let me know. I tried to reload the brass and found that the ones that were showing signs now had the primer pocket enlarged. The cases that looked ok had a nice tight pocket. I will load them on the low end.

FWIW, some of my 460 Hornady brass would develop spiral cracking around the neck after one reloading.

The Starline brass has held up way, way better.

Got around some of the Hornady issues but just resizing the bullet seating section at the top of the brass.

The 460S&W Magnum operates at some serious pressures, half the reason I bought a BFR in 45-70. Equal fury in a lower pressure package.

I however still have a 500S&W for when I need to really make noise

Interesting, thanks. Might explain why Hornady ammo is HALF the price of everything else. 22-25$ compared to 52+ ??

Hard to say. I've had some extremely good experience with Hornady ammo in 7mm-08. So-called Light Magnum loads, 139gr bullet. That stuff was so accurate I was almost sorry I had bought Wilson dies and other stuff to reload - I could have just bought some more ammo. But I guess in the long run it will pay off.

Anyone can make a mistake once in a while - so far I've seen it with Rem, Winchester and PMC. The real issue is what they do about it.

__________________
Formerly Model520Fan

Did you shoot the 45LC prior to the Hornady rounds? As stated, the 460 operates at serious pressures, and does not appreciate a dirty cylinder from other size rounds.

I'm not too sure of other Hornady products but I'm not the only person to have issues reloading their 460 brass.

On the upside, it was a stupid good time touching off those rounds at the indoor range in a 460V.

Epic Sound/Flash/Heat Just what the recoil junkie and big bore fan in me wanted!

No I fired them after. I will try another box of Hornady. They want them back if I see the same thing.

hmmmm, two year old thread. I'd really like to know how this played out.

I just fired five rounds through my new 460 XVR last Friday. Three Hornady 200's uneventful (if firing a 460 is ever uneventful). Two Winchester 260 Partitions, had to use a wood block to tap the ejector to extract. No primer remaining in one, faint line across the cartridge base apparently from setting back against frame. Not liking that at all. All ammo fresh from supplier within last couple of weeks.

How do you get in touch with Winchester? They seem to hide their ammunition contact number.