What powder is Hornady using?

[wareagleguy]

My Sako likes the Hornady light mag in 7mm-08 using the sst bullets.  I was wondering if anyone knew the powder Hornady is using?  I have yet to actually crono the rounds but Hornady claims 3000 fps which I think is a little over stated.

[Duffy]

The 139 light mag's out of my 15" Encore are right at 2560+- some so if you add 300 to that for a rifle it's knockin at the back door. My handloads are at 2600 with N550. I don't think you'll find out what the powder is either as they state that it's a special bulk that they buy. I did pull one and measure it but don't have my data here at this time. They seem to shoot pretty good though, and if I were stuck with no handloaded ammo that's what I'd buy.

[Graybeard]

Large ammo makers like Hornady do not use the same cannister powders we can buy. They buy bulk to a specification and then test to determine from each lot just how much they need to use to get the performance they are looking for.

I've not tested any of the Hornady Light Mag ammo yet that failed to live up to the stated velocity in my rifles. If you have a 22" or longer barrel expect to get pretty well what they claim you will.

Every 7-08 I've tried the Hornady light mag ammo in loves it. My current M700 LSS Mtn. Rifle in 7-08 easily does MOA and under with both of them but the original with the 139 SP is a bit better than the 140 SST load. They are the ONLY load I've ever had do sub MOA in my wife's old Rem. Model 7 in 7-08. It usually is hard pressed to do better than 1.5"-1.75" even with loads it more or less likes.

If I were guessing at the powder Hornady uses in the Light Mag ammo it would be a non cannister version of either AA Magpro or one of the VV500 series powders. They will generally give the very highest velocity you can get in a canniser powder. BUT they aren't just using a unique powder but a special process of getting it into the case you and I can't duplicate. If you take it out of a case you can't get it all back in. Try it.

[Duffy]

GB, I had heard that before that it was hard to get the powder back into the case but it wasn't a problem with the 708. Heck it wasn't even full and actually looked like one of my handloads. It did mash the primer as much or more than my handloads though. Hmmm might have to investigate this a bit more.............

[Badnews Bob]

I've heard that they use a blended powder for all of there light magnum loads that you can't buy and they aren't telling. I do know that they are hammers in my .243 and meet or exceed claims every time.

[wareagleguy]

I will admit the Hornady rounds are hot.  I know without even checking that the Light Mags are much hotter than any of my hand loads I've been using.