I shot a F-Class midrange with the AMAX version. Except for the color of the tip, I cannot find any difference between AMAX vs ELD-M.
There are subtle, but obviously valuable changes made by Hornady in moving from the AMax to the ELD-M. Their respective (drag related) 'form factor' values are 0.987 and 0.882 respectively. That sub 0.9 value for the ELD is stunningly good for a 0.224" bullet, lower than that of any Berger VLDs even the 90gn model. So, whilst the AMax produces 2.3% less drag than the G7 'reference projectile', the ELD has improved to nearly 12% less.
Given that both models weigh the same and are the same diameter therefore have the same SD value of 0.228, when combined with their form factors, the Amax's G7 BC is 0.231 and that improves to 0.258 with the ELD, not that far shy of the 90gn Berger's 0.272, but in a lighter bullet that can be driven faster. (To be fair, the HPBT form of the VLD can be pointed giving maybe another 3 or 4% onto its BC value.)
Bearing in mind that as you say there is little to no outward change in appearance, what are the differences in shape? The primary one is a significantly increased nose radius figure, a more secant form and it becomes more of a true VLD, its Rt/R ratio reducing from 0.67 to 0.50 which represents an out and out aggressive secant VLD form - so interesting / encouraging that it is shooting well with a 15 thou' jump reported by Drew.
All of the above figures are shamelessly plagiarised from Bryan Litz's Ballistic Performance of Rifle Bullets 3rd edition. When the book arrived some few months ago, checking up on what seemed inflated BC improvements for some the ELDs was one of the first things I did, and yes I confirmed to myself that despite apparently modest shape refinements, where Hornady has made changes from the older models, they do deliver significant BC improvements. Another such is the 162gn 7mm ELD-M whose BC of 0.327 compares to 0.307 for the older AMax. As with the 80gn 22s, I doubt if you would spot any shape differences at a casual glance or even a moderately hard one. I was so impressed, I bought a couple of hundred to try in my sevens.
I hadn't considered the 80gn 224 ELD until this thread got my interest up. So how does the 80gn ELD compare to the 90gn Berger VLD in FTR in a paper ballistics exercise?
A popular 223 / 90 MV is 2,825 fps, that producing 1,595 ft/lb ME. The ballistic equivalent for an 80gn bullet (ie whose MV produces that ME value) is 2,995 fps MV (1,594 ft/lb ME). Run the pair through a ballistic program and you get:
90 Berger VLD @ 2,825
600 yards ................ 1,892 fps ............ 2.54 inches movement / 1 mph 90-deg wind change.
1,000 yards ............. 1,375 fps ............ 8.2 inches
80gn ELD-M @ 2,995 fps
600 yards ................ 1,944 fps ............ 2.55 inches movement / 1 mph 90-deg wind change.
1,000 yards ............. 1,389 fps ............ 8.28 inches
So, to my surprise, nearly identical performance in theory anyway if that 'equivalent MV' works out and delivers the required accuracy on or close to that figure.
............. it looks like I'll be dropping on Hannams Reloading in North Yorkshire (England) for some more ELDs to try the next time I pass that way.