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Hornady or Sierra

I loaded various loads with 140gr hybrids..
Loaded different to the last time..
2 different powders, RS62 and RS60..
Tried 6 more 130gr eldms and some 140gr amaxs.
It was the first time ive been out since 28th September..
i had open heart surgery on the 17th of October and my breathing and stamina isnt great..
getting my breathing right to shoot wasnt great either..
As the throat wear has been alot I wasn't sure what to do so I lengthened a little from my last test.
Sot prone off a bipod and a bean bag..
Most are 5 shot groups..
Top row 2nd in from the left was jumping 52 thousandths wow..
The 130gr eldms I thought I'd try in the lands, ok group 9 thousandths in the lands..
Could of been better if my breathing was better..
It held up for the next group the 140gr amaxs which was with a silencer on as its my hunting load..
Other groups were shot with a muzzle brake on..20251210_183140.jpg20251210_183130.jpg20251210_194403.jpg20251210_194309.jpg
 

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It depends a lot on a particular barrel.
I have three 6.5mm CMs.
Two like heavier bullets and shoot the 140 to 147 gr bullets about the same with a slight advantage to the 147s.
The third likes lighter bullets and shoots the 130 gr bullets better. The 130 TMKs shoot the best, but the ELD-Ms shoot very close to them.

I find that the Hornady 143 gr ELD-X bullets - made for hunting shoot as good as anything in the two barrels that like heavy bullets.
The 142 SMKs shoot well, but my two heavy bullet rifles shoot the Hornady's slightly better. I measure all my 5 round groups and have plenty of data for each bullet. All three like H4350 powder best, and the difference in best to moderately accurate group sizes are pretty small.
 
The 140 ELD-M work great in the 6.5 Creedmoor barrels I have had. I have shot them out to a mile and they have never let me down. I would give them a try and see how your rifle likes them.

Also the ELDs do not need to be jammed into the lands. I load mine at least .020” off the lands and shoot factory ammo which is about .070” off and it still shoots great. The ELDs like their predecessor the AMAX do fine with a jump.
 
I quit using Hornady when they started coming apart on me (a problem Hornady denied was happening). Their denial opened the door to Sierra and I have been very happy with the SMK. Never had a problem and better long range accuracy
 
Never had a H bullet shoot well..
I've always found that the 6.5 cal 140gr amaxs would shoot really well in my 6.5x47's. The other day they were good.
These are seated 10 thousandths longer than the original load.
I'd take that all day long.
View attachment 1720612
The 140 ELD-M work great in the 6.5 Creedmoor barrels I have had. I have shot them out to a mile and they have never let me down. I would give them a try and see how your rifle likes them.

Also the ELDs do not need to be jammed into the lands. I load mine at least .020” off the lands and shoot factory ammo which is about .070” off and it still shoots great. The ELDs like their predecessor the AMAX do fine with a jump.
I just tried seating the 130gr eldms into the lands out of interest..
I've heard Speedy Gonzales mention seating into the lands is the best way and he shoots benchrest.
 
I've always found that the 6.5 cal 140gr amaxs would shoot really well in my 6.5x47's. The other day they were good.
These are seated 10 thousandths longer than the original load.
I'd take that all day long.
View attachment 1720612

I just tried seating the 130gr eldms into the lands out of interest..
I've heard Speedy Gonzales mention seating into the lands is the best way and he shoots benchrest.
Go to Vagas !!!
 
I've always found that the 6.5 cal 140gr amaxs would shoot really well in my 6.5x47's. The other day they were good.
These are seated 10 thousandths longer than the original load.
I'd take that all day long.
View attachment 1720612

I just tried seating the 130gr eldms into the lands out of interest..
I've heard Speedy Gonzales mention seating into the lands is the best way and he shoots benchrest.

He also shoots different bullets. I am speaking of the ELD-Ms and AMAX. Have shot tens of thousands of them in matches in multiple calibers and never anywhere closer than .020” off the lands.
 
Off the top of my head I'd say that 140gr amax load was jumping about 30 thousandths..
I used to like shooting the 7mm 180gr ELDM's in my 284 and 7mm saum. Both liked them just touching..
I'd load them 2 thousandths in..
They were superb until they started coming apart.
 
To the original question :

Two questions.

Can you shoot the difference?

If so, then is it important enough to you to spend the $$$?

If either answer is 'no', then you have your answer.
 
Off the top of my head I'd say that 140gr amax load was jumping about 30 thousandths..
I used to like shooting the 7mm 180gr ELDM's in my 284 and 7mm saum. Both liked them just touching..
I'd load them 2 thousandths in..
They were superb until they started coming apart.

I shot the 180 ELD in my 7mmRM and shot a 10” group at a mile with them. Excellent bullet! I was loading them at .020” off the lands also. I think you would be surprised backing them off the lands some and seeing how well they shoot.
 
I shot the 180 ELD in my 7mmRM and shot a 10” group at a mile with them. Excellent bullet! I was loading them at .020” off the lands also. I think you would be surprised backing them off the lands some and seeing how well they shoot.
They shot really well for me too.
 

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