So as I’ve found out by doing some research this is a common problem. I have a lighter weight 7MM SAW hunting rifle with detachable box magazine. Currently using MDT mags. COAL is .030 under max COAL for the mag. Under recoil it’s deforming the polymer tips of the Hornady 162 ELD-M’s. Has anyone figured out a fix for this type of problem. Seems to be fairly common. You’d think someone has figured out how to remedy this. Thanks for the help!
Recoil damaging polymer tips!
- Thread starter mustang-cars
- Start date
Can you post the sources of the research you did? How are you determining that your bullets are suffering this? Why are you shooting Eld-M’s in a hunting rifle. Not badgering you, I’m curious.
I have the same issue with the 155 eld-m out of Mdt mags in my 308. Still shoots sub moa out to 750 meters so not a problem for me.
If you google the problem you’ll find various threads on various forums complaining of the same thing.
I’m shouting 162’s because I’ll be shooting a hunters field match with this rifle. When I use it for hunting I’ll shoot Nosler 168gr ABLR’s. The polymer tips on those get damaged as well.
when I load up a magazine with perfectly good rounds. Load magazine and shoot one round then remove magazine. You can see that previously perfect polymer tips are now smashed.
I’m shouting 162’s because I’ll be shooting a hunters field match with this rifle. When I use it for hunting I’ll shoot Nosler 168gr ABLR’s. The polymer tips on those get damaged as well.
when I load up a magazine with perfectly good rounds. Load magazine and shoot one round then remove magazine. You can see that previously perfect polymer tips are now smashed.
Don’t you think it changes the BC of the bullet by creating more drag with a damaged tip like that.
I think it’s kind of already been tested in so many ways. That’s why there’s bullet pointing dies etc. Makes the tip of an open nose hollow point more uniform thus creating a more consistent BC. Hornady changed the material in their polymer because it was melting in flight causing inconsistencies.
I agree, it makes since that would be the case. Funny thing is that the data generated by Hornadys ballistic calculator lines up almost perfectly with real world impacts at all distances I shoot.
next time I’m in the mountains I’ll bash/clip 180 eldm tips till it affects getting hits on my 1800 gong.
I misread what you originally wrote. You’re talking about mashing the tips on the inside of the magazine during recoil. Since you’re having issues across two brands of bullets, it isn’t an eld-m specific issue as you originally stated. I’ve never met a polymer tip that would stand up to smacking the front of the magazine. The only solution I know of it to keep them from touching. Rubbed magazine appropriate for your cartridge, bullets seated deeper, etc.
I've noticed the same thing when I eject a round with out firing it- the tip will be deformed. I figured it was happening when I chambered it- but it could be happening in the mag. They still shoot good so it doesn't seem a big problem..... but it is still why I call BS on the heat tip. If the amount of deformation they get before firing isn't causing big problems then heating tips sure isn't either.
I still have a few boxes of bullets from when they first came out with the new tip.... a dark red with almost a glass look-- those ones don't deform on me. But then they changed them back so not sure what happened?
I still have a few boxes of bullets from when they first came out with the new tip.... a dark red with almost a glass look-- those ones don't deform on me. But then they changed them back so not sure what happened?
