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6mm 103-gr ELD-X: Twist Rate?

Brians356

Gold $$ Contributor
What twist rate is required to stabilize the 6mm 103-gr ELD-X? I can't find anything on Hornady's web site.

(Just guessing the 103-gr ELD-X is the same length as the discontinued 105-gr A-Max, I plugged it into Berger's calculator, which said a 7.5 twist minimum for "full stability". That seems a little tight, as Remington sells 100-gr loads for their 1:9 rifles.)
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I believe it is recommended for a 1-8 twist. I think it said so at one time. But yea you are right I looked on their site now and do not see it anywhere. I shot a few in my 6XC and I am going to try them on some deer.
 
Thanks fellas. I was thinking long-range antelope medicine from my 6mm Rem, but it's a 9 twist. o_O
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You might give them a try anyway. You might be able to push them fast enough to stabilize.
 
You might give them a try anyway. You might be able to push them fast enough to stabilize.
In Hodgdon's data, the discontinued 105-gr A-Max peaked ahead of 45.7 (C) IMR 4831 at 3,075 fps (62,100 PSI). My minty old R700 Varmint Special also has a 24-in tube.
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I've shot thousands of 105amax in a 9.25" twist (Savage factory 243win barrels) at sea level in very VERY freeezing temps. never had a problem.

During load workup the first time I tried them 105amax in the 9.25" twist, it was very cold winter and my starting load produced a hair over 2,500 fps and shot very nicely !

I bet the 103eldX was designed for 8" twists but will shoot just fine in a 9".
 
I probably should measure the twist rate in my old 700 VS, they were nominally 1:9 in 6mm Rem, but it could be closer to 8.5 for all I know.
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Twist rate and the various additional correction factors are simple calculations when the manufacturer gives you the bullet length. I'm having trouble finding that data on Hornady's web site. Measure a bullet and I'll answer the question. If anybody from Hornady is reading this, please start providing that info in your specs.
 
Twist rate and the various additional correction factors are simple calculations when the manufacturer gives you the bullet length. I'm having trouble finding that data on Hornady's web site. Measure a bullet and I'll answer the question. If anybody from Hornady is reading this, please start providing that info in your specs.
Hornady do not publish bullet lengths, neither do Nosler. I called Nosler once asking for a bullet length, and they refused to tell me, citing it as proprietary information. I had fun humiliating the unfortunate "technician" over that answer, but the fun soon wore off so I went off and found the length on the JBM Ballistics web site. I just checked JBM but they only list the 108 ELD-M in that class of Hornady bullet.
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Based on Hornady's published BC for the 103 ELD-X and the muzzle velocity printed on the box (3050fps), Berger's calculator shows the bullet to be so slightly less than stabilized in an 8 twist barrel. BTW - bullet length is 1.260"


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Based on Hornady's published BC for the 103 ELD-X and the muzzle velocity printed on the box (3050fps), Berger's calculator shows the bullet to be so slightly less than stabilized in an 8 twist barrel.
Hah! I live in the high desert "Basin and Range". Change the "Altitude" in your calculator from 600 to 1000 feet. The bullet is now "flying with full stability" (barely) at 1:8 twist.

Now, put Altitude at 5000 feet, Temperature 90f, Velocity 3080 (Hodgdon's 105-gr max), and Twist at 9. It calculates SG 1.43 and Minimum twist as 8.75. That's getting awfully close to 1:9. So all I have to do is hunt "hot and high" which, as it turns out, is antelope hunting in late August in N. Nevada. :cool:
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