Hornady .357 Leverevolution Ammo Failure

[MarkB]

I ordered some Hornady .357 140gr FTX (Leverevolution) ammo. I had a lot of difficulty loading the rounds into my X Model .357. When I dropped the rounds into the mag tube from the front of the tube I had a lot of problems getting the inner mag tube with the mag follower and spring to fully enter the mag tube. The inner tube kept hitting and getting caught on the rim of the rounds in the tube. I then tried to load the rounds through side gate and, again with much difficulty, I was only able to load three rounds. I had another problem also. Loading the rounds would move the lever out about 3/4" without me touching the lever (n both the X Model and the CCH carbine). When I dumped the eight rounds in the mag tube only seven came out. The eighth round was caught in the bottom of the mag tube. I was able to release the last round by moving the lever a little. Then the last round dropped out. I tried the same Hornady round in my .357 CCH Carbine and had the same problems except I was able to work the inner mag tube to the locked and loaded position. Note that I have not had any problems with other makes of .357 ammo. All of the other ammo was either 124gr or 158gr hollow point or flat face ammo from several different brands. So, for me, I'll use up the Hornady ammo and not buy any more of it.

[RanchRoper]

That would be my decision too. Too bad it didn't work out. Better safe than sorry, and who needs to mess around with jammed rounds.

[JEBar]

good decision .... it would become single shot ammo for me and I'd crush the cases afterwards

[RanchRoper]

The Hornady cases are different, that's for sure. Wider base or something but the only ammo that ever jammed in my Henry Big Boy when I had it was Hornady Cowboy ammo, 255 gr lead. Winchester and Black Hills were excellent. So is Sellier and Bellot.

[Ojaileveraction]

The new dual purpose mag tube has issues.

Someone else was having similar loading issues in a 35rem side loader.

[Vaquero]

I just bought 200 rounds of their 357 brass a week or so back, but I haven't even opened it.
Now I will and do some measuring and comparing.

Sorry to hear about your problem. Hope there are no issues with this brass.

RP

[leverjc]

My 45. colt cowboy shoots them well and is very accurate. Srry about your problem, I will keep an eye out with future buys.

[markiver54]

Thanks for the heads up. I also have a box but have not shot any yet. Nice to know.

[Vaquero]

Well I did check out the new Hornady brass, what I checked seemed to be in Spec.

RP

[RanchRoper]

I have reloaded a bunch of Hornady brass and it shoots fine in my 1860.

[JEBar]

I have reloaded a bunch of Hornady brass and it shoots fine in my 1860.

Hornady's regular brass is good stuff .... just got in 200 of them for our 300 WBY Mag .... its their Lever Action brass that is funky

[Vaquero]

Yeah, their 45-70 and 444's with that Gummy tip.
Bought one box way back when I got the first 444, heck I still have over a half a box of it.
Their 35 Rem. is normal, wonder why that is?

RP

[Mistered]

The new dual purpose mag tube has issues.

This is true.

I think Henry was trying to be a little bit 'too much for all rifles' scenario.

Retaining the removeable load tube with the side gate system was a mistake.

Henry should have considered the fact the closed tube load system has been very functional and effective since 1866. Heck my 121 year old Winchester loads and cycles like a dream.

[MarkB]

I got to thinking, I do that sometimes. Vaquero's remark about "that gummy tip" sparked a thought. The problem is that the inner mag tube doesn't easily load the rounds and gets caught on the rims of the loaded rounds. The gummy tip is the problem. FMJ and hollow point rounds load easily and the gummy tips do not. The FNJ and hollow point (lead tip) cartridges can slide and move back and forth as the inner tube is inserted clearing the end of the inner tube allowing the tube to be fully inserted with a minimum of difficulty. The gummy tips of the Hornady Leverevolution rounds hold the cartridge above it in place keeping it from moving so it catches the edge of the inner tube jamming the tube and preventing full insertion of the tube. So I think it is the tip of the bullet and not the Hornady case causing the loading problems. This means, for me, don't use Hornady Leverevolution rounds.

[Rifletom]

Yeah, their 45-70 and 444's with that Gummy tip.
Bought one box way back when I got the first 444, heck I still have over a half a box of it.
Their 35 Rem. is normal, wonder why that is?

RP

Happy Easter Randy. That Hornady FTX brass is a bit shorter than normal. That's the only thing I can think of. Exactly why they had to do that, well, I dunno. I've heard good and bad regarding that ammo. Starline brass is all I've used, so, I've not had that problem. Good 'old normal brass. Have a good one.

[Mistered]

The LeverEvolution ammo was originally designed as a hunting round to potentially increase the effective range of lever action ammo due to the 'gummy tip' spire point. It is not practical (or cost effective) as range ammo, paper punching etc.

What it really became was a brightly colored 'fishing lure' for shooters who had little experience with guns and their effective ranges with the ammo they were designed for but Hornady doesn't mind people buying it.

Reality being what it is experienced hunters know the effective ranges of the guns and ammo they use and work within those parameters.

My recommendation? Stop buying LE ammo, forget it exists and buy or load ammo your particular rifle was designed for and work within its limits.

[RanchRoper]

I thought the rubber tip was for safety with rounds in the lever rifle tube.

[Mistered]

I thought the rubber tip was for safety with rounds in the lever rifle tube.

Flat Point and Round Nose ammo has been 'safely' used since 1866 in tube feed rifles.

Aren't you loading Flat Point or Round Nose bullets for your Henry?

[Ojaileveraction]

The Leverevolution revolution , say thatvthree times, involved, a new cartridge, new rifles, new powder and bullets.
Rifles 30-30xlr. With a tube feeder modified to work with the plastic spire tips and 336 chambered in the newly introduced 308 express , with same follower.
I remeber all the whoee between the 308 express and 307 Winchester LEVERevolution Powder supposed to deliver more power at low pressurrer.
And of course we all know the bullets.
First in 308 express then 307 Winchester maybe and 30-30.

[Vaquero]

Tim, I believe you are right, they also made it in 35 Rem., but it's not short. My Savage pump likes them.
I have a 308 MX, but I load 170 gr Sierra's.

RP