Author Topic: Sad times for Hornady customers! (Read 1898 times)

30-30man · « **on:** August 19, 2009, 01:37:40 PM »

Hornady is using outsourced ammo from Privi Partisan in some of their custom loads. I recently ordered several boxes of 7.5 swiss from Hornady and I was sadly surprised that it is just Privi Partisan. I ordered the Hornady thinking it would be better than the European stuff out there. I sadly found that it has the same head stamp on hte brass and when I pulled the bullet, it was exactly the same. I have always expected more from Hornady...It looks like they have started the outsourcing game under the radar of unsuspecting shooters.

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2009, 02:55:26 PM »

I had my fill of bad results with Hornady products. Life is too short for Hornady. They make a few good bullets for handloading (the .375 H&H bullets not being among them) But that's the best I can say about them.

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2009, 04:19:26 PM »

I chose Hornady products over most others for much of my use. I prefer their dies to any other made and use a Hornady press to load all my ammo. I use as many or more Hornady bullets as any other. Nothing wrong with Hornady products.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2009, 04:26:07 PM »

I am a big hornady user also, but then i dont have any custom load shooting shooters.

I keep waiting for competition to come out with gummi tips that will compete with Hornady's I really like those. hornady's "regular" factory ammo has always been a staple for my guns!

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2009, 04:27:55 PM »

I do not reload but I have bought factory Hornady ammo for everything I have owned in the past. I don't know if I was lucky or if Hornady factory ammo is a step above all the rest. It seems that any rifle I shoot factory Hornady ammo out of shoots much tighter groups than any other factory ammo out there. I am a firm believer in Hornady. Dale

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2009, 04:28:38 PM »

My Hornady case cleaner just failed (like every other Hornady product I've owned). Rather than hassle with their horrible customer service again, I'm junking it to buy an RCBS or Dillon product, which I know I'll be able to rely on. This was the last of the Hornady equipment I've owned, so I'm actually glad to see it gone.

Skunk · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2009, 04:37:07 PM »

I use many different Hornady bullets for reloading. Also have one of their case trimmers. Really like their One Shot gun cleaner. I've always felt that Hornady makes pretty darn great stuff.

Hooker · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2009, 05:06:24 PM »

I have had nothing but good results with Hornady jacketed handgun bullets'
Their 300gr JHP work very well in my 45/70 and their buckshot does an excellent job in the old scattergun.

Pat

Siskiyou · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2009, 05:18:59 PM »

I have dies from a number of manufactures. I have been using Hornady carbide die sets in two different calibers for over 20-years without a hitch. I have a few other Hornady products on the bench.

I have been loading and using Hornady bullets in .243, 270, 7Mag, 30-30, 300 Savage, 30-06, and 303 British with good results, and zero quality control issues. The venison pepper sticks in the freezer are from a buck taken with a Hornady bullet last fall.

This spring I test fired the new 30-30 flex-tip bullets and was impressed with the results. The 30-30 will be my backup rifle this season when I hit the road. The bullet expands the horizon of the 30-30.

For the working guy (retired oldman) Hornady components are reasonable priced.

I have fired a limited amount of Hornady ammunition and reload the brass. It works just fine. I still have a few boxes of Hornady ammunition on hand.

I have not tried any of their reloading presses.

U.S. bullet manufactures have provided bullets to foreign manufactures for years.

My Sig 220 45acp was loaded with Hornady ammuniton when on duty.

yooper77 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 19, 2009, 05:47:14 PM »

Well I never buy factory ammo, unless its 22 rimfire or shotgun shells.

I reload Hornady Interlock bullets for many years, with excellent results.

I have some Hornady dies also, their equipment is top notch.

yooper77

mirage1988 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 19, 2009, 05:49:58 PM »

Quote from: Questor on August 19, 2009, 04:28:38 PM

My Hornady case cleaner just failed (like every other Hornady product I've owned). Rather than hassle with their horrible customer service again, I'm junking it to buy an RCBS or Dillon product, which I know I'll be able to rely on. This was the last of the Hornady equipment I've owned, so I'm actually glad to see it gone.

Quote from: Questor on August 19, 2009, 02:55:26 PM

I had my fill of bad results with Hornady products. Life is too short for Hornady. They make a few good bullets for handloading (the .375 H&H bullets not being among them) But that's the best I can say about them.

What has actually been your experience with hornady?

you had a case cleaner that failed-big deal, pretty sure they outsource the little stuff (like case cleaners)

Graybeard likes you because you are a topic starter questor, but don't badmouth one of the leading bullet manufacturers in america because you had a chinese machine malfunction!

Graybeard · « **Reply #11 on:** August 19, 2009, 11:54:52 PM »

These days even the manufacturers are having a hard time obtaining components for making ammo. Some are outsourcing because they have no other choice. Not so long ago someone got some Hornady ammo loaded in Winchester cases. That might not necessarily be so bad tho as Norma makes some of the cases for Winchester as well as many other ammo makers.

Times are tough all over and some times in order to provide the products they can't produce them selves at all or at the moment they buy stuff from where ever they can.

My Hornady vibratory case cleaner (almost certainly not made by Hornady) has been going steadily for years and I expect it will still be working when I'm gone as will the one I have from Midway. Stuff happens.

Cement Man · « **Reply #12 on:** August 20, 2009, 01:43:07 AM »

Hornady is my primary source of ammo and components - has been for many years. I also like their innovation with new cartridges, bullet designs, and the fact that they are loading for many cartridges that nobody else touches, like hunting loads for milsurps.
I am also discovering that a lot of the Privi ammo performs very well and is a bargain. I've had no problems with Hornady or Privi.

Questor · « **Reply #13 on:** August 20, 2009, 04:12:33 AM »

I think that the original complaint relates to one of expectations. Prvi is a good bargain brand. Hornady is expected to be a premium brand. I'd be pretty upset if I saw a Prvi headstamp on Hornady ammo I had bought. For one thing, I would expect the brass to be Hornady brass. Either that or I would expect the ammo to be clearly labeled as a bargain version of Hornady ammo, like the Walmart Federal and Winchester shotshells are clearly labeled (and priced).

(The events that really got me permanently mad at Hornady were around a set of custom dies that were made wrong, they would not stand behind them. I eventually discarded them and replaced them with RCBS dies, which were flawless, as usual. Hornady also really gouged me on a primer decapping pin for a set of dies. RCBS or Dillon simply would have sent me a new pin at no charge. I also had a variety of Hornady reloading accessories, all of which have been replaced with stuff that actually works. My buddy has sent his Hornady progressive press back for repairs four times, at a shipping cost to date of over $200. He's fed up with it and is replacing it. He has three other progressive presses, all of which have been trouble free.

Some people are simply not meant to own some equipment. The equipment that I can't own is: Hornady, Lee, and Ruger. All have been unsatisfactory for me. Every other brand of shooting and loading equipment I have owned has been superb and I regard them highly, even other bargain brands like Mossberg (a tremendous value for the money, especially their excellent youth pump 20 gauge shotgun.)

My slogan for these brands is: "Good products for other people".)

I agree with Hornady's probable need to outsource to stay in business, but unless they are setting customer expectations that the outsourcing is being done, and pricing accordingly, it's a tactic that could very well lose a lot of previously loyal customers.

hunt-m-up · « **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2009, 04:23:59 AM »

I don't reload so I can only speak to their factory ammo which has been very good to me and more accurate than the others at a better price point. To me they've taken a leadership position in developing new highly successful products. I'm not concerned about the outsourcing as it happens all the time in industry.

Cement Man · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2009, 04:54:52 AM »

I just looked in my ammo cabinet and my 7.5 Swiss 165BTSP Hornady ammo has Frontier brass. I don't know how long ago I bought it, so I wouldn't dispute that some has been loaded into Privi brass. I wouldn't care though, as I have not seen anything wrong with the Privi that I have bought.
Most ammo companies are not loading for this cartridge and never will. It isn't and will never be popular enough. Smaller volume raises the price threshold for several reasons. As far as Hornady being "premium" ammo, there are certainly brands in this cartridge that cost considerably more, such as Norma and cost less such as Privi and Wolf.
Sorry if the ammo doesn't meet your expectations (what exactly are they? there has been no mention of actual performance), but I have been satisfied with both Hornady and Privi - based on results and price. Lee and Ruger as well.

ms · « **Reply #16 on:** August 20, 2009, 05:14:58 AM »

I love Hornady ammo.

Questor · « **Reply #17 on:** August 20, 2009, 05:46:32 AM »

I will say that the Vmax bullet is superb in .223 and .270. Truly an excellent varmint bullet that I highly recommend.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2009, 05:59:50 AM »

When it comes to bullets, i don't buy much of anything from Hornandy. Almost always i've got better accuracy from some other brand of bullets, that is "if" top accuracy was what i was looking for. Then after haveing numerous Hornandy bullets come apart on tough shots in bigger game, i moved on to better choises.

Someone else may have had different experiences with Hornandy, but that's been mine...

DM

Questor · « **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2009, 06:01:34 AM »

Drilling Man:

My experiences exactly, with the bullets.

The Hermit · « **Reply #20 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:58:54 AM »

DM, Questor, I am curious to see if you all have had any problems with Hornady LE coming apart on big game? (factory ammo). Or is it just with reloading supplies? Thanks.

The Hermit

30-30man · « **Reply #21 on:** August 20, 2009, 12:09:24 PM »

I haven't shot any of it to give a report. I'm not bashing Hornady products at all. When I buy Hornady, I expect premium made in the USA stuff. It's kind of like buying a Chevy and seeing a Chinese engine and transmission under the hood. If I would have known it was just Privi Partisan I would have ordered that instead as it is just $14 a box while the Hornady is $25 plus. I felt cheated as if just paying for their pretty red ink on the box. No more Hornady custom loads for me. They can keep it and I'll order the Privi Partisan for brass. Just wanted to get the word out as many here shoot the k31 swiss.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #22 on:** August 20, 2009, 12:21:55 PM »

Is this what you bought? I do not see it listed on the Hornady website.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=423885

I wonder if it is a discontinued line. It his case I would expect the vendor to be upfront.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #23 on:** August 20, 2009, 12:22:15 PM »

Cement man,
I think what 30-30 man was saying, and correct me if I am wrong, he does not mind paying a premium for Hornady loaded ammo as he sees the stuff you have as superior to the Privi loaded ammo. If he wanted Privi ammo for his 7.5 swiss he could have gotten Privi 7.5 ammo from them at a lower price.
I think Hornady out sourced the ammo so they could use similar comonets on other calibers that were / are in more demand.

Cement Man · « **Reply #24 on:** August 20, 2009, 01:04:52 PM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on August 20, 2009, 12:22:15 PM

Cement man,
I think what 30-30 man was saying, and correct me if I am wrong, he does not mind paying a premium for Hornady loaded ammo as he sees the stuff you have as superior to the Privi loaded ammo. If he wanted Privi ammo for his 7.5 swiss he could have gotten Privi 7.5 ammo from them at a lower price.
I think Hornady out sourced the ammo so they could use similar comonets on other calibers that were / are in more demand.

Yes, I would agree that if the box says one thing, it should be what it says. I would certainly call the source and ask them about it. I couldn't find the 7.5 Swiss on Hornady's website, so I went to Graf's, where I buy my ammo and components. It states that the 7.5 Swiss Hornady is a Hornady/Grafs collaboration. I would call and find out what is going on, and let the seller know what I thought about it. I always try to deal with the source of the problem.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 20, 2009, 01:24:30 PM »

for a long time ive been nlocked on to the fed fusion 165gn 06...ive finally found one my gun likes as well ...its hornady interlock ...i think they callit..so ive got an alternative..
this for the kinda accuracy,, i don t really have to have in a deer rnd..but its nice knowing you can reach out an put the mark where you want to...slim

30-30man · « **Reply #26 on:** August 20, 2009, 03:50:18 PM »

The ammo came from Sportsman Guide and Grafs. All the boxes look the same. They said it is a limited run they do once a year. Well, I just wanted everyone to know that it is not true Hornady ammo. I'm not bashing them, but looks like they should be up front about what they are selling. It is being outsourced and that is alright, it's just not what you expect from Hornady. I didn't buy enough of it to get that irate...I just want to get the word out and save some folks a few bucks as this load is nothing but the $14-16 Privi Partisan. The bullets are the same even. I could understand Hornady using Privi brass, but in my case that is not so. It is the exact same thing. I've never had a problem with Privi Partisan but Hornady sells their ammo as being as good as handloads and the price reflects this. They should stamp "made in Serbia" on the box but there is nothing to the fact. Looks like they are charging for the name and that's what they are doing. Buyer Beware...

Foxxtrot · « **Reply #27 on:** August 20, 2009, 04:29:47 PM »

I like them both. Prvi 30.06 seems to do the job for putting meat in the freezer just fine at an affordable price.

holahead · « **Reply #28 on:** August 20, 2009, 05:19:24 PM »

I saw something one time they had a line of old military rounds. Is this what you was using?

Graybeard · « **Reply #29 on:** August 20, 2009, 05:33:14 PM »

Hornady is generally speaking NOT considered to be PREMIUM ammo. It is competitively priced with Remington and Winchester standard ammo. I guess you could perhaps call the Light Mag ammo premium but only in regard to the velocity. ALL Hornady ammo in my experience is very accurate.

I'll say again tho you did NOT get Privi ammo what you got was Hornady ammo loaded into Privi brass because they couldn't at that particular moment come up with their own brass to use? Why I have no clue. As I mentioned some while back someone bought some new Hornady ammo in Winchester brass.

It might surprise you to know that not every company that loads ammo manufactures their own brass. Generally it is made for them by someone else and has their headstamp placed on it. At times like we're in now they might not be able to get that brass with their own headstamp on it so likely what they do is take whatever they can get. My guess is Privi is the one that makes all Hornady's metric brass for the rounds they load in those odd ball metric rounds no other American company makes.