Hornady Factory Ammo Survey 2017/2018

[Charlie U]

I shot three whitetail deer with thumper last week.

Copy and paste these questions in your reply and answer them to the best of your ability.
Okay, here goes.
1. Date of kill.
kill No.1&2 were on the evening of Nov. 16th, kill No.3 was the morning of Nov. 18th.
2. Hornady Black or Custom?
all three were taken using Black
3. AR 15, Bolt Action or single shot?
Bushmaster XM-15
4. Barrel length and twist rate.
20" barrel , 1/24 rifling
5. Distance to target. (Approximate will be okay if you’re not sure)
Kill No.1 ~225yds, Kill No.2 ~110yds, Kill No.3 ~60yds.
6. Type of animal and approximate weight. Feel free to post a picture.
No.1 = 6pt whitetail buck (med size), No.2= doe(small), No.3 = 8pt Buck (med size)
this picture shows kill No.3



7. Did you recover the animal successfully?
No.1 was not found until more than24 hours after the shot, No. 2 and 3 were recovered immediately.
8. Where did bullet impact and what organs and bones were affected?
No.1 Hit the shoulder joint. Bullet disintegrated. Utterly shattered the upper leg & shoulder socket. Bullet failed to reach vitals, but did some frag damage one lung.
No.2 double lung broadside shot through the ribs.
No. 3 was a high lung shot that went through ribs and disrupted the spine.
9. Did the bullet pass through?
No. 1 had no exit, No.2 &3 did pass through.
10. Did the bullet remain in the carcass and did you recover the bullet and fragments? Post picture if possible.
No. 1 had no visible exit wound, but bullet base was not recovered (coyotes got to it before I did).
No. 2 & 3 bullets were not recovered.
11. Did you suffer any loss of edible meat?
No. 1 was a total loss. The animal remained mobile and tracking efforts through the night pushed it, but did not result in timely recovery. By the time it was found the yotes had gotten there.
No. 2 & 3 had minimal loss.
12. How far did the animal run after being shot?
No. 1 went over 2 miles, No. 2 & 3 dropped on the spot and did not require tracking.
13. What kind of blood trail did you have?
No. 1 had a huge initial trail leaving blood, hair, bone fragments, and chunks of marrow, but the trail became intermittent the further the animal moved away. Several bedding areas looked like crime scenes where he stopped to rest. He had enough mobility to keep ahead of trackers and the trail was difficult to follow at times.
No. 2 and 3 didn't require tracking.
14. In your opinion, what are the strong points of the 250 Grain FTX?
Accurate and a good bullet weight for the caliber.
15. In your opinion, what are the weak points of the 250 Grain FTX?
Light jacket expands rapidly and is not stout enough for heavy bone.

[Texas Sheepdawg]

Submitted by D.K.

our ability.
1. Date of kill. 11/24/17
2. Hornady Black or Custom? Custom
3. AR 15, Bolt Action or single shot? Bolt action
4. Barrel length and twist rate. 16 1/24 factory
5. Distance to target. (Approximate will be okay if you’re not sure). 50-55 yards
6. Type of animal and approximate weight. Feel free to post a picture. Whitetail 150
7. Did you recover the animal successfully? Yes
8. Where did bullet impact and what organs and bones were affected? High shoulder shot, shattered the lungs.
9. Did the bullet pass through? No
10. Did the bullet remain in the carcass and did you recover the bullet and fragments? Post picture if possible. Yes and yes recovered. 190 grains recovered weight
11. Did you suffer any loss of edible meat? Yes I’m sure
12. How far did the animal run after being shot? Dropped like a stone.
13. What kind of blood trail did you have? None
14. In your opinion, what are the strong points of the 250 Grain FTX? Bullets works as intended.
15. In your opinion, what are the weak points. Would like to see Hornady load a GMX bullet for this cartridge.

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[plant_one]

that looks like a real solid result there - and nice buck DK!

[Dkottke2017]

Copy and paste these questions in your reply and answer them to the best of your ability.
1. Date of kill.
11/24/17
2. Hornady Black or Custom?
Custom
3. AR 15, Bolt Action or single shot?
Bolt action Ruger American
4. Barrel length and twist rate.
16”, 1/24
5. Distance to target. (Approximate will be okay if you’re not sure).
50-55 yards
6. Type of animal and approximate weight. Feel free to post a picture.
Whitetail buck
7. Did you recover the animal successfully
Yes
8. Where did bullet impact and what organs and bones were affected?
High right shoulder, lungs shattered.
9. Did the bullet pass through?
No
10. Did the bullet remain in the carcass and did you recover the bullet and fragments? Post picture if possible.
Yes and yes
11. Did you suffer any loss of edible meat?
Yes
12. How far did the animal run after being shot?
Dropped like a stone
13. What kind of blood trail did you have?
None
14. In your opinion, what are the strong points of the 250 Grain FTX?
Accurate, bullet design has been around a long time, doesn’t appear to be any different their muzzle loading bullet
15. In your opinion, what are the weak points of the 250 Grain FTX?
Works as intended, I would like to see a GMX bullet added to their line of ammo

[dec]

1. Date of kill. 11/25/17
2. Hornady Black or Custom? Hornady brand.
3. AR 15, Bolt Action or single shot? AR15
4. Barrel length and twist rate. 16" 1 in 24
5. Distance to target. (Approximate will be okay if you’re not sure). 25 yards
6. Type of animal and approximate weight. Feel free to post a picture. Whitetail buck, 195# field dressed.
7. Did you recover the animal successfully? Yes
8. Where did bullet impact and what organs and bones were affected? Shoulder broadside shot, front of the lungs.
9. Did the bullet pass through? yes
10. Did the bullet remain in the carcass and did you recover the bullet and fragments? Post picture if possible. No
11. Did you suffer any loss of edible meat? Some shoulder meat.
12. How far did the animal run after being shot? 15 yards.
13. What kind of blood trail did you have? First 10 yards, none. Last 5 yards blood everywhere.
14. In your opinion, what are the strong points of the 250 Grain FTX? Reliable and accurate.
15. In your opinion, what are the weak points of the 250 Grain FTX? None that I have seen.

[dec]

1. Date of kill. November 2014
2. Hornady Black or Custom? Hornady brand.
3. AR 15, Bolt Action or single shot? AR15
4. Barrel length and twist rate. 16" 1 in 24
5. Distance to target. (Approximate will be okay if you’re not sure). 75 yards for both deer
6. Type of animal and approximate weight. Feel free to post a picture. Whitetail buck, 185# field dressed. Whitetail doe, 100# field dressed.
7. Did you recover the animal successfully? Yes
8. Where did bullet impact and what organs and bones were affected? Shoulder broadside shot, front of the lungs.
9. Did the bullet pass through? yes
10. Did the bullet remain in the carcass and did you recover the bullet and fragments? Post picture if possible. No
11. Did you suffer any loss of edible meat? Some shoulder meat.
12. How far did the animal run after being shot? Buck 20 yards. Doe 0 yards.
13. What kind of blood trail did you have? Good blood all over at both shots.
14. In your opinion, what are the strong points of the 250 Grain FTX? Reliable and accurate.
15. In your opinion, what are the weak points of the 250 Grain FTX? None that I have seen.

[fox400]

1. Date of kill. 11/15/2017
2. Hornady Black or Custom? Black
3. AR 15, Bolt Action or single shot? AR 15
4. Barrel length and twist rate. 18" 1-24 twist
5. Distance to target. (Approximate will be okay if you’re not sure). 241 yards and 255 yards
6. Type of animal and approximate weight. Feel free to post a picture. Whitetail. Field dressed wieght was 167lbs
7. Did you recover the animal successfully? Yes
8. Where did bullet impact and what organs and bones were affected? Mid body, behind the lungs and rear leg. Destroyed the liver and completely broke the femur just above the joint.
9. Did the bullet pass through? No on the liver shot, yes on the leg shot.
10. Did the bullet remain in the carcass and did you recover the bullet and fragments? Post picture if possible. Yes on the liver shot, but I didn't get pictures.
11. Did you suffer any loss of edible meat? No
12. How far did the animal run after being shot? Approximately 225 yards.
13. What kind of blood trail did you have? Little to none.....this was because of very heavy rain fall.
14. In your opinion, what are the strong points of the 250 Grain FTX? Accurate and do quite a bit of damage even at 200+ yards.
15. In your opinion, what are the weak points of the 250 Grain FTX? None that I have seen in my experience.

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[JCoop]

1. Date of kill. 11/8/2017
2. Hornady Black or Custom? Black
3. AR 15, Bolt Action or single shot? AR
4. Barrel length and twist rate. 18", 1 in 24"
5. Distance to target. (Approximate will be okay if you’re not sure). 12 yds
6. Type of animal and approximate weight. Feel free to post a picture. Whitetail, 185 live weight
7. Did you recover the animal successfully? Yes
8. Where did bullet impact and what organs and bones were affected? Low behind right shoulder, top of heart
9. Did the bullet pass through? Yes
10. Did the bullet remain in the carcass and did you recover the bullet and fragments? Post picture if possible. No and no.
11. Did you suffer any loss of edible meat? No
12. How far did the animal run after being shot? 15 yds
13. What kind of blood trail did you have? Minimal
14. In your opinion, what are the strong points of the 250 Grain FTX? Very consistent.
15. In your opinion, what are the weak points of the 250 Grain FTX?
-----------------
1. Date of kill. November, 2016
2. Hornady Black or Custom? Black
3. AR 15, Bolt Action or single shot? AR
4. Barrel length and twist rate. 18, 1 in 24
5. Distance to target. (Approximate will be okay if you’re not sure). 20 yds
6. Type of animal and approximate weight. Feel free to post a picture. Whitetail, 140lbs
7. Did you recover the animal successfully? Yes
8. Where did bullet impact and what organs and bones were affected? Low behind left shoulder, heart
9. Did the bullet pass through? yes
10. Did the bullet remain in the carcass and did you recover the bullet and fragments? Post picture if possible. No and no
11. Did you suffer any loss of edible meat? No
12. How far did the animal run after being shot? 50 yds
13. What kind of blood trail did you have? minimal
14. In your opinion, what are the strong points of the 250 Grain FTX?
15. In your opinion, what are the weak points of the 250 Grain FTX?
--------------
1. Date of kill. November 2012
2. Hornady Black or Custom? Black
3. AR 15, Bolt Action or single shot? AR
4. Barrel length and twist rate. 18", 1 in 24
5. Distance to target. (Approximate will be okay if you’re not sure). 100 yds
6. Type of animal and approximate weight. Feel free to post a picture. Russian boar, 180lbs
7. Did you recover the animal successfully? Yes
8. Where did bullet impact and what organs and bones were affected? Behind left shoulder, both lungs destroyed
9. Did the bullet pass through? No
10. Did the bullet remain in the carcass and did you recover the bullet and fragments? Post picture if possible. Yes, but did not recover.
11. Did you suffer any loss of edible meat? Minimal loss
12. How far did the animal run after being shot? 50 yds
13. What kind of blood trail did you have? Strong blood trail
14. In your opinion, what are the strong points of the 250 Grain FTX?
15. In your opinion, what are the weak points of the 250 Grain FTX?

edited for clarity

[JCoop]

Found a pic of my boar!

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[messer454]

1. Date of kill. November 2017
2. Hornady Black or Custom? Black
3. AR 15, Bolt Action or single shot? Bolt
4. Barrel length and twist rate. 16" (Ruger American 1/16")
5. Distance to target. (Approximate will be okay if you’re not sure). 30 yards
6. Type of animal and approximate weight. Feel free to post a picture. medium doe
7. Did you recover the animal successfully? yes
8. Where did bullet impact and what organs and bones were affected? right rib cage, both lungs, left rib cage
9. Did the bullet pass through? yes
10. Did the bullet remain in the carcass and did you recover the bullet and fragments? Post picture if possible. no
11. Did you suffer any loss of edible meat? No
12. How far did the animal run after being shot? 100 yards, had already been running, adrenaline
13. What kind of blood trail did you have? good, most from both sides
14. In your opinion, what are the strong points of the 250 Grain FTX? accuracy
15. In your opinion, what are the weak points of the 250 Grain FTX? I would prefer it to be controlled round expansion and/or bonded