Range Report Hornady ELD-X - New Video
- Thread starter Tucker301
- Start date
I'm shooting the factory loaded 200 gr ELD X in a 26" AI AXMC 300 WM and at 72 degrees the muzzle velocity per a LabRadar is 2906 fps, with an SD of 15.2. Velocity published by Hornady is 2850 fps from a 24" barrel.
I found the information about polymer tip deformation under heat interesting, as well as his comments about other companies playing games with their BC's.
I noted that the video showing the long range and short range penetration was counterintuitive. The longer range penetration was deeper.
This reminds me of comments from some time back about the SST, when some folks I know personally were saying the SST was too explosive for heavier game.
My conclusion was different; I ended up thinking that maybe they were using too much gun or too much cartridge for their hunting conditions and game. The bullet was doing what it was intended to do, but they had been accustomed to using older cartridge designs whose expansion was comparatively inferior. With the improved expansion profile, they didn't need as much gun/cartridge for the same task.
These days, I'm working up a load for the 30-06 with 178 ELD-X, and will follow that up with testing for the .308 with the same projectile. The ELD-X makes my task simpler. I no longer need to be as concerned with terminal performance; my main task is about accuracy and trajectory.
I switched from Sierra to Hornady for Hunting (and Match) bullets precisely at the time when the Aerodynamic Heating issue came to light with the intro of the ELD-X. However, with the ELD-X, I no longer use Match bullets in my hunting caliber rifles. The ELD-X is a most-to-all purpose bullet for my range of needs. My long distance shooting is essentially against inanimate targets. Knowing that the load will work on something animate if the need arises is a significant plus in my thinking.
I had already switched to the Hornady 75gr HPBT-Match for my 223 accuracy applications out to 600yd. It worked in more rifles than the longer bullets, and I regularly use them in 1:9" twist 223's with no issues.
Maybe someday, Hornady will bring out an ELD-X for the .223 in the 65gr weight region. I'd buy a lot of them.
My one exception is the Garand. I still use the Sierras; 150gr FMJBT, 168SMK, and 165SGK.
Greg
This reminds me of comments from some time back about the SST, when some folks I know personally were saying the SST was too explosive for heavier game.
My conclusion was different; I ended up thinking that maybe they were using too much gun or too much cartridge for their hunting conditions and game. The bullet was doing what it was intended to do, but they had been accustomed to using older cartridge designs whose expansion was comparatively inferior. With the improved expansion profile, they didn't need as much gun/cartridge for the same task.
These days, I'm working up a load for the 30-06 with 178 ELD-X, and will follow that up with testing for the .308 with the same projectile. The ELD-X makes my task simpler. I no longer need to be as concerned with terminal performance; my main task is about accuracy and trajectory.
I switched from Sierra to Hornady for Hunting (and Match) bullets precisely at the time when the Aerodynamic Heating issue came to light with the intro of the ELD-X. However, with the ELD-X, I no longer use Match bullets in my hunting caliber rifles. The ELD-X is a most-to-all purpose bullet for my range of needs. My long distance shooting is essentially against inanimate targets. Knowing that the load will work on something animate if the need arises is a significant plus in my thinking.
I had already switched to the Hornady 75gr HPBT-Match for my 223 accuracy applications out to 600yd. It worked in more rifles than the longer bullets, and I regularly use them in 1:9" twist 223's with no issues.
Maybe someday, Hornady will bring out an ELD-X for the .223 in the 65gr weight region. I'd buy a lot of them.
My one exception is the Garand. I still use the Sierras; 150gr FMJBT, 168SMK, and 165SGK.
Greg
Berger and Hornady have been pretty spot on(doppler) with BC's. Nosler on the other hand had to revise some of theirs but they now doppler test too.
source: https://www.nosler.com/accubond-long-range-bullet/
"New for 2018, we have had the Ballistic Coefficients (BC’s) of our AccuBond-Long Range (ABLR) bullets tested and verified with Doppler radar. This has resulted in a revision of our published BC numbers to more accurately match real-world flight characteristics. Using Doppler radar to verify our BC’s allows us to provide the most accurate BC numbers to our customers while increasing the accuracy of long range ballistics calculations. To perform this critical testing, we selected the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. EMRTC is the largest privately owned ordnance and ballistic test facility outside the government, encompassing 40 square miles and over 30 test ranges. EMRTC is internationally recognized as a center for excellence in energetics and ballistics research and testing. We are pleased to provide these highly accurate BC numbers and feel confident that they will bring a new degree of precision to your long-range ballistics calculations. For the utmost accuracy, we recommend using the G7 BC when calculating trajectories with the ABLR bullet line. "
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