Geniuses at Hornady crack the code!

[gme]

They have known about it for some time, I have some of the unmarked prototype ammo that would become known as "6.5 Creedmoor" it was loaded with Amax bullets that had the meplats ground flat, actually shot really well but was a bit on the hot side

 

[wboggs]

I stoped reading when I saw 'outdoorlife'.for the last 10 years they have been nearly at the click bait level of informational articles.

I have to defend John Snow at Outdoor Life. His integrity is above reproach and his articles are honest and informative. Of course his test products are donated by the manufacturer, how else could the team afford them.
You might be interested to know that John is an excellent marksman and reloader. He shot in the 2023 NF ELR Steel Challenge Match in Wyoming with targets 700-2100 yds in high sustained winds and did well. He tested and loaded all his own ammo. He is the opposite of click bait in every respect.

I stoped reading when I saw 'outdoorlife'.for the last 10 years they have been nearly at the click bait level of informational articles.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I agree. I love when Outdoor Life magazine tests optics. They get a pile of whichever type of optic together that they are testing (spotters, binos, LRFs, or riflescopes) and have a lot of different people looking thru them in all conditions over many days to get as honest and unbiased opinions as they can. Really intuitive and informative optical reviews.

I actually stop reading more often when I see “Hornady” mentioned in an article

 

[WSnyder]

The heavy bullets you refer to were the infamous tungsten core bullets.

You are correct and I pondered on it a bit more. I’m almost sure it was these guys:

PRL Powell River Labs

 

[DaveTooley]

You are correct and I pondered on it a bit more. I’m almost sure it was these guys:

PRL Powell River Labs

It was Bubba at Powell River Labs. Our tax dollars at work. Ferris Pindell made his dies. I went to Oak Ridge and tried them. They were very fat. That was back when I ran close fitting neck clearance. I didn't have enough neck clearance. Short day. At the time I had a lot of Sierra 200's that shot better than any bullet I ever tried.
You can't cheat the wind.

 

[ebb]

Back years ago when I was doing load development for my new at the time 6.5-284, I tried 140 Amax. They shot as good as anything I tried with IMR 4831. I eventually used Berger 140s as well and they were just as good maybe a tad better, The Amaxs I loved are long gone and this new and improved version is now the only Hornaday choice. The newer versions are always more money, yet seldom shoot better than Amaxs.

 

[wboggs]

Back years ago when I was doing load development for my new at the time 6.5-284, I tried 140 Amax. They shot as good as anything I tried with IMR 4831. I eventually used Berger 140s as well and they were just as good maybe a tad better, The Amaxs I loved are long gone and this new and improved version is now the only Hornaday choice. The newer versions are always more money, yet seldom shoot better than Amaxs.

Newer vsrsions drive growth which is the fuel companies depend on.

 

[rwj]

Newer vsrsions drive growth which is the fuel companies depend on.

Companies depend on profits. Growth is nice but not a necessity…

 

[wboggs]

Companies depend on profits. Growth is nice but not a necessity…

Have to agree with you that profits are necessary. You can retain or use them for other purposes. Growth is one such use. Excessive profits can lead to competition among other things.

 

[DaveTooley]

innovate or die in todays world
competition is good.

 

[wboggs]

innovate or die in todays world
competition is good.

Well said

 

[CharlieNC]

Only 20 shots each to compare designs, doesn't that violate their statistically insignificant small sample mantra LOL ?

 

[davidjoe]

… except, don’t ever mess with the recipe for Coca-Cola, assume that Bud Light fans need “novel” suggestion to buy more beer, and don’t improve the bullet design on what Erik just used, a few minutes ago. (No, V2 is not over, but the field is SMALL now. And the targets are live streamed.).

 

[ebb]

WBoggs, how can that be? I routinely bought amaxs and pistol bullets from Hornaday but now that they are gone I buy nothing from Hornaday. I am sure I will in the future buy more pistol bullets, but I've seen no rifle bullets from them I like. For moths I heard that F troop shooters had ELDM bullets blow up. I see no changes that are for the better.

 

[wboggs]

I personally had a couple ELDMs blow up using a 6.5 PRC with a 7.5 tw. They have not solved that problem and it is well documented. So, they are not competive in the F-Class and many other events. The factory ammo is widely available and many use it. Pistol bullets are a high volumn product and I guess a very profitable line.
Have you heard about ATip blow ups? Some long range steel shooters use them with good results but they are too expensive.
Berger would be my choice if I were betting the farm on it.
Hornady has a hugh volumn and variety but they are trying.

 

[ebb]

I have some Clinch river bullets that I liked a lot, Kind of holding on to them for a rainy day. JLKs were my go-to for a long time and sadly both are gone now. I have been shooting Nosler custom competition bullets in my 260 AR 10, They have come down in price lately so they may be the next bullet for the 6.5-284 but in 140 grain instead of the 123s. It seems as if I am sold on the ls school bullets, that would not be the case if the new designs were getting it done.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I like the Vmax for varminting now because Sierra BK prices are getting stupid and I really like the XTP line for handguns. Other than that not much need for Hornady in my reloading arsenal.

 

[DaveTooley]

The extremes we now demand from the manufactures come with compromises. We want it all but at the outer edge of sanity it doesn't take much to drive us crazy.
Larger cases, longer bullets, faster and faster twist barrels. WHAT COULD GO WRONG

 

[Ahhnother8]

I have tested trimmed-only bullets versus trimmed then pointed bullets 4 times in the last couple of years. The exact same bullets, some just lightly pointed. In all 4 "tests" (5-shot groups at 1000 yards) the trimmed-only bullets shot smaller. Yes, VERY small sample sizes, but the same results in a couple of calibers. I was actually disappointed each time and questioned the results each time. Then got lazy last Fall and shot a pile of trimmed only bullets, which resulted in a LOT of really good scores. Will be doing more research in the coming months.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

The extremes we now demand from the manufactures come with compromises. We want it all but at the outer edge of sanity it doesn't take much to drive us crazy.
Larger cases, longer bullets, faster and faster twist barrels. WHAT COULD GO WRONG

I think we’ve reached maximum capabilities of a barrel with a brass case full of flammable powder squeezing a soft projectile down a rifled bore.

Time to reinvent the wheel if we want to go further…