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

[Brians356]

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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[Frankr]

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.

 

[dogdude]

103's in a 8 twist will work fine..108's will work also @1,000 everybody uses them.

 

[perry42]

My 6br has a 1 in 8 twist and shots SMK 107gr bullets very well out to 600yds.

perry42

 

[Brians356]

Thanks fellas. I was thinking long-range antelope medicine from my 6mm Rem, but it's a 9 twist.
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[JLT]

Thanks fellas. I was thinking long-range antelope medicine from my 6mm Rem, but it's a 9 twist.
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You might give them a try anyway. You might be able to push them fast enough to stabilize.

 

[Brians356]

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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[Zero333]

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".

 

[Brians356]

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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[6ShotsOr5?]

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.

 

[Brians356]

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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[geraldgee]

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"

 

[Brians356]

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.
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