Hornady's new releases and new tips

[LoneWolf]

I know I have 1k on hand right now. All data has put me consistently on target without issue.

[stomp442]

I would have really liked to see them step up the weight to 168gr on their 7mm offerings too. Litz has already said that the 162 Amax has one of the lowest drag coefficients of any bullet he has tested and if it had the extra 6 grains of weight would be one of the highest BC 7mm bullets available. Makes you wonder why they didn't just go ahead and maximize the potential with a complete new bullet design. Bullets look good though thats for sure.

[big honkin jeep]

So I wonder if they'll trade out the new design for old A max bullets since the video basically admits it's a faulty product that doesn't perform as advertised?

[Rob01]

So I wonder if they'll trade out the new design for old A max bullets since the video basically admits it's a faulty product that doesn't perform as advertised?

I highly doubt it. The product isn't faulty but at longer ranges, 800 yard average, it was found the BC degraded faster than they thought. The BC listed in the 200 yard held true. AMAX bullets still very accurate and work at long range.

As I have said on other sites, there is nothing wrong with the AMAX and a lot of people love them, including myself, and I have a bunch of them that I will continue to shoot. My factory Creedmoor ammo is very accurate in my rifle and I have been shooting it since 2008 and happy with its performance. I have won matches with it so I won't be complaining about the 140 AMAX but if they can make it better I am all for that too and will take advantage in the future of the new bullets and ammo.

300 yard groups from two different lots of factory Creedmoor ammo
http://i.imgur.com/4IFXUCR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/id1rI2E.jpg

Same lots at 400
http://i.imgur.com/GxW5vF0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0k0QtPN.jpg

[hafejd30]

If anybody gets there hands on some could they check consistency from lot to lot. I'd be interested to see the results. Last 140 amax I used were among the batches that base to ogive length was out of spec. (.030 difference) between lots. They shot really well and then went to crap. I didn't want to redo my load testing for each lot. Switched to sierras since then and have been very happy. But would give Hornady another shot if they corrected this....

[Rob01]

Did you load the rounds to the same OAL to ogive and test them? I have never measured a bullet from base to ogive but I load all my rounds to the same .020" off the lands and they shoot fine. That's through many lots of AMAX bullets in multiple calibers.

[LoneWolf]

I have 800rds through my 243 shooting 105AMAXs COAL of 2.75. No adjustments to load or seating depth at this point! I've been very impressed and pleased with this!

[eddiesindian]

Did you load the rounds to the same OAL to ogive and test them? I have never measured a bullet from base to ogive but I load all my rounds to the same .020" off the lands and they shoot fine. That's through many lots of AMAX bullets in multiple calibers.
Oddly enuff?..the .020" off the lands is exactly what my 260 rem likes as well using there 140 hpbt

[hafejd30]

Yes same .020 off lands.

Type in "140 amax scare" and you'll see my post. Several people had similar issues. After posting that is when I found out that Hornady sent out batches that were out of spec. They would replace the bullets but you had to wait until they came off the assembly line with your turn up. 6-9 weeks if I recall. My distributer would exchange the 9 unopened boxes of bullets for smk in a matter of days, so I went that route. My .308 amax have treated me well and still use them. They very a few thousandths between batches and very little in the same batch. The batch of 140 amax were about .016" different in the same lot even

I gave the open box to another local reloaded/shooter with more experience than me and he burnt the rest of the box up chasing consistency

[Rob01]

I do remember a specific lot of 140s having some issues a couple years back. People had posted about it on Snipers Hide as well. That must have been the issue. Hopefully you won;t let a bad lot keep you from trying the new bullets.

I have never run into issues with loading the rounds to the same OAL to ogive. When I change lots I run a test round and make sure it's seated .020" off the lands and then load them. The bad lot was most likely the issue.

[LongRange]

all bullets vary lot to lot and even with in the same lot...when switching lots you should always recheck your measurements...i just opened a new lot of 140g bergers hybrids and they are .010 longer(bearing surface)than the previous lot but they seat .004 deeper before touching the lands...old lot 2.361 BTO..new lot 2.365 BTO.
SMKs...lapuas...berger as well as hornady all vary...with that said ive shot 800+ hornady 140g match over the course of 5 barrels and they all measured VERY consistent even lot to lot...the problem for me has been getting them to shoot well and shoot consistently.

[Londerko]

Are the ELD match bullets just the Amax with the new tips? I notice they are the same weights 208, 140, 162 etc. will they be replacing the old amax in those weights?
Any one got any specs on these bad boys yet? Length, bearing surfice etc? In ELD X or match

[Rob01]

No they aren't just AMAX with new tips. They have been redesigned and that is why they have the higher BCs as well as the tip which doesn't deform and drop that BC. The new ELD-M are set to replace the corresponding AMAX bullets.

I don;t have any specs yet but will try and get some.

[Londerko]

I know that the ELD x is a whole new beast, but Itll be interesting to see how similar the new ELD M is to the amax in those weights, the BCs that they are getting are pretty impressive! I love the 208 amax, and hope that I can get the 200 or 212 to shoot as good as it for a new hunting bullet!

[Rob01]

Some info on the ELD-X line. Nothing on the match line yet.

Caliber, Weight, Bearing Surface, Minimum Twist

6.5 – 143, .555”, 1-8.5”
7 mm – 162, .533”, 1-9.5”
7 mm – 175, .570”, 1-8.75”
30 – 200, .630”, 1-10”
30 – 212, .626”, 1-10”
30 – 220, .730”, 1-10”

The only two bullets that are longer than standard mag-length are the 175gr 7mm and the 212gr 30 cal. Of course, it’s all relative to what cartridge is being loaded and the mag length of the rifle. The 143gr 6.5 will be great in the Creedmoor. In the 260, it’ll be like any other long match style bullet. The 30 cal 220gr bullet has a shorter ogive than the 212, so it can be loaded in factory SAAMI spec ammo like the 300 RUM and 30-378 Wby Mag. The 212 was too long for SAAMI spec but handloaders have the option to load as long as they need.

As I get more info I will get it out.

[DrThunder88]

I got all excited to see ELD bullets at Midway, but they aren't expected in stock for a few weeks yet. I think I know what kind of post-Thanksgiving shopping I'll be doing.

[sixonetonoffun]

The 7mm/284 line of X bullets look interesting. BC vs price compared to vld's and the new 175gr looks really promising.

[Rob01]

So I received some of the 212 ELD-X bullets yesterday. Unfortunately no longer having a 300WM hinders the speed in which I can test them but a friend has one so I will get out when I can. I figured I could at least get some pics for you all and some measurements. I weighed a few and they were all +/- .001 grain. Overall length was 1.598 and measurement from base to ogive was .868". Anything else anyone wants to know just let me know and I will try and find out.

I took some pictures with the (R-L) 178 AMAX, 208 AMAX and the 212 ELD-X.

http://i.imgur.com/B41V1Ja.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/tsHfX6z.jpg

[stomp442]

That's a good looking bullet. The new tip seems to be much more blunt as compared to the older style and a much longer bearing surface. It will be interesting to see test results by Litz on these bullets.

[Londerko]

Thanks!
You getting any of the 200s?