I shoot in matches (AR and bolt) off bench at 2,3,4 and 500 meters...targets are right at 1-1-1/2 moa. Steel ar500 square targets ....Bench rest accuracy is not mandatory, but ar is 10 shots in 90 seconds, other match 5 shots 2-1/2 mins (twice). Nice to have some cushion...rsbhunter
Hornady "AEROMatch" bullets. ????
- Thread starter rsbhunter
- Start date
Rank Amateur
Gold $$ Contributor
Again, just trying to align with OP’s original question and the title of this thread. Hornady only offers 6 AeroMatch bullets in 4 calibers. Two in .224 (69 and 77 grain), one 6mm (105 grain), one 6.5mm (140 grain), and 2 .308s (168 and 175 grain). These seem to have been produced to “duplicate” successful offerings from other vendors.
My game is F-class. The vast majority of successful F-T/R competitors would be using bullets heavier that any of the AeroMatch offerings in either .224 or .308 calibers. 6.5mm is not terribly common in F-open, and when used, would also use a heavier bullet. On the other hand, the majority of F-open competitors shooting 6mm are using the Berger 105 Hybrids in their 6BR and BR variants.
The only one I tried was the 6mm and it's an obvious copy of the Berger 105 Hybrid. My testing with the AeroMatch 105s found that they did not hang with the Bergers in my rifles, shooting mid-range F-class. They weren’t bad, and I didn’t do any tuning with them. Hornady advertises that shooters won’t need to change their loads, so I tested that claim. Bergers produced noticeably smaller groups on paper at 500 yds.
My game is F-class. The vast majority of successful F-T/R competitors would be using bullets heavier that any of the AeroMatch offerings in either .224 or .308 calibers. 6.5mm is not terribly common in F-open, and when used, would also use a heavier bullet. On the other hand, the majority of F-open competitors shooting 6mm are using the Berger 105 Hybrids in their 6BR and BR variants.
The only one I tried was the 6mm and it's an obvious copy of the Berger 105 Hybrid. My testing with the AeroMatch 105s found that they did not hang with the Bergers in my rifles, shooting mid-range F-class. They weren’t bad, and I didn’t do any tuning with them. Hornady advertises that shooters won’t need to change their loads, so I tested that claim. Bergers produced noticeably smaller groups on paper at 500 yds.
That answers my question completly. I didn't believe they would be br capable , but it was worth asking....I will stick with my Berger 105, 108 and 109gr projectiles. I also use Berger 80.5 full bore on my ar 22 arc, and they perform great.... Thanks for all the input and info...rsbhunter
Bat Rastard
Gold $$ Contributor
I bought a box of 77gr. Ask me how they work when it is not so cold outside.
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
I gotta see that. Was that on a youtube? Do you have the link?
I'm going to ask Hornady tech support if that's correct.
CharlieNC
Gold $$ Contributor
That was on one of the YouTube, later recanted.
I have used Hornady match bullets in the past but will not be likely to try the new offerings. I never found a Hornady which would come anywhere near a Sierra. I always found that they would shoot reasonably well for eight of ten shots but there were always a couple of fliers. WH
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
FYI.
Just shot 7 Hornady 69gr Aeromatch bullets and 7 SMK's through the same barrel with the exact same load. The loads were both at 63* from being stored in the basement. Both were carried in in a mag in my pocket as I went out back [about 3 minutes]. The rounds were shot on two different days. Each time I shot an 8th round first to warm up the barrel. The rounds were shot within 30sec of the mag coming out of my pocket.
H69: Ave fps - 2898; es - 43; sd - 17
SMK 69: Ave fps - 2875; es - 37; sd - 13
For 7 shots, the es and sd look very close - i.e., with more shots they could easily be the same?
The 23 fps difference in MV might be a real difference?
Just shot 7 Hornady 69gr Aeromatch bullets and 7 SMK's through the same barrel with the exact same load. The loads were both at 63* from being stored in the basement. Both were carried in in a mag in my pocket as I went out back [about 3 minutes]. The rounds were shot on two different days. Each time I shot an 8th round first to warm up the barrel. The rounds were shot within 30sec of the mag coming out of my pocket.
H69: Ave fps - 2898; es - 43; sd - 17
SMK 69: Ave fps - 2875; es - 37; sd - 13
For 7 shots, the es and sd look very close - i.e., with more shots they could easily be the same?
The 23 fps difference in MV might be a real difference?
How about accuracy differences?
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
Haven't tested yet.
I'm assuming they will shoot just like H68's/H75's.
ETA: Especially for this forum where many/most members are interested in the most accuracy, please note that I test groups from prone with a sling. So, even for 10 shot groups, 3/4 MOA essentially is the same as 1/2 MOA simply due to my ability to be consistent.
=> Someone else would have to do real accuracy testing.
Last edited:
356tsw
Silver $$ Contributor
I just shot two groups of five with the 105 6mm aero match in my 6creedmoor
One measured 0,151 and the other was 0.175 not bad. 37.5 grains of H4350
With Laupa small primer brass.
Pretty sure what Miles said was he has never seen a true .25 moa gun.
I have watched those podcasts I wouldn't doubt 10 times. I hear them misquoted constantly.
Certainly he has seen a moa gun. My dumbass can put 30 108 eldm in a single .6 moa hole with no load development. Thats with 400 6 creed on the barrel.
Just to add to that, he’s also talking about large sample shooting and a rifle keeping ALL of it’s shots within 1/4 moa which isn’t the same as averaging 1/4 moa or a 1/4 minute 5-10 shot group.
Nice, doesn’t look like you could ask for much more for the price point.
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