I have tried Federal HE ammo in a 300 weatherby and a 280 Rem and was very disappointed..gun shot the standard ammo fine but shot patterns with the HE stuff. I have not had a chance to try LM or HM Hornady ammo but one thing I have noticed is their standard ammo shoots slow compared to other brands.

Didn't say there was no difference......only that it is small. And yes I have chronod several varieties of both HE and LM ammo. Again mostly a sales tool with small meaningless differences.

Don't choose a caliber based on the "Mag" loadings, it might not group them...Stick with the standard loadings when choosing and if it does group the "Mags" consider it a bonus...

As mentionerd above, these loads get their improved performance by maintaining as high a safe pressure for as long as possible on the bullet's base as it accelerates down the bore. This produces the velocity results.

But depite the fact that I can do the same (or similar) with certain powders in certain calibers,with good accuracy, my experience with the commercail-"HI" stuff has been likeoldelkhunter's-I have chronoed the stuff. The velocity was there-but accuracy left a lot to be desired IN MY GUNS!! I have heard that some people have gotten exactly the opposite results than mine with this ammo.......

Great topic guys! I didn't know about Hornady and Federal having that secret formula for the Light Mag/ High Energy Ammo.

I have found both the Hi Energy and Light Mags to be as advertised in the 30-06. The 165 grain interbond light mags were clocked just over 2950 FPS but more importantly were producing 3200 LBS KE from a 22" barrel. At $28.00 a box that is actually a good deal when compared to a 7mm Rem Mag or other comparable performing round with a premium bullet. I do not disagree that this extra expense is almost never neccesary, but I think having the option ofpicking up an additional 400lbs/KE when you want it is a bonus.
The Hi Energy rounds produced 2870 FPS with a 180 grain nosler partition with even higher KE. Below are the results of a rifle evaluation that was intended to evaluate the rifles performance not the ammos performance. It demonstrates that the light mag loads meet their velocity claims while delivering accuracy equal to the match grade ammo in the comparison.

I have always preferred the heavier caliber's, and the heavy for caliber bullets. I have not shot any of the high energy loads, because I handload. But I do not blame anyone for using the high energy loads. The reason why I responded is because I was wondering where all the 22 Hornet guys were at. I am a bit surpirsed you have not been flamed for preferring a heavier load. Blast away. Tom.

The Hornady Light Mags did not group nearly as well as my handloads in my 7-08. I'll give a liitle trajectory for better accuracy any day. But, as Eldeguello said, "That's in MY gun............"