New hornady ELD-VT bullets

[Infrequent Shooter]

I am assuming they tested a version with the lead removed from the back end, making the bullet heavier in front. My guess is that towards the end of flight, there would be a small amount of stability lost because of back heavy bullet?

 

[urbanrifleman]

Hey urban, i think the 62gr bullets would be good to try in one of ur 22xc's. My brother in law built one about 4 years ago with a 7 twist. I told him he should try it out and see what they do.

Yes. I do. I would suggest the 8 twist. I will shoot some of these in my 22xc and 22bra as soon as I can get some.

 

[urbanrifleman]

They talked about 7 or 7.5 twist for the 62grain 22 caliber bullet. That may work for the lower velocity cases, but I'd bet a steak dinner that the big 22's would make it go poof. A 22 Creedmoor would get that bullet into the 3700 fps range. With a 7 twist barrel that would be 385,000 + rpm. I would guess that a 8 twist would stabilize that bullet, but that would still be 333,000 rpm. Those are 'thin ice' numbers. My take away from that interview is that they took existing bullet profiles and made a lighter bullet by decreasing core weight. Time will tell.

I thought about this some more.

For some reason the fat nose on the varmint bullets seems to keep them together even when crazy over rpm.

Of course, these don't have a fat nose. You may have to shoot them at normal speeds.

 

[natdscott]

i did see that, still not sure how it will open up on pdogs/groundhogs, time will tell

Two Twenty.

 

[CharlieNC]

Bean counter move.

Sales price is based on what customers will pay, not what it cost to manufacture. Also must recoup R&D, machine change over, and other costs. Bean counters generally do not have the business knowledge to recognize these opportunities, they only tally the results of the work of others.

 

[pdog06]

So is this the beginning of the end for the vmax? Just like the Amax! Or will they keep both? I would assume they will eventually expand the product to more sizes per caliber.

Probably think why sell varmint bullets for $25/100 when people will buy them for $55/100.

 

[ryewhiskeybent]

I am assuming they tested a version with the lead removed from the back end, making the bullet heavier in front. My guess is that towards the end of flight, there would be a small amount of stability lost because of back heavy bullet?

Listened to the Hornady podcasts while doing some yard work. For both the 22ARC and the VT bullets. If they are to be believed, they’ve shot a ton of these on coyotes with good results.

 

[urbanrifleman]

So is this the beginning of the end for the vmax? Just like the Amax! Or will they keep both? I would assume they will eventually expand the product to more sizes per caliber.

Probably think why sell varmint bullets for $25/100 when people will buy them for $55/100.

Not the same bullets at all.

 

[AckleymanII]

Maybe too explosive on coyotes on light weights, go heavy for caliber.

Bullet seating pressure maybe an issue.

This is going to be a revolution in varmint bullets, if jacket quality is there and the Pressure ring on the bullet is not over size per normal throats as some of the V Max bullets are currently.

 

[806guns]

Yes. I do. I would suggest the 8 twist. I will shoot some of these in my 22xc and 22bra as soon as I can get some.

I need some too when they come available. I will definitely shoot them in my 22xc and 223ai

 

[karrarararararar]

The whole point of the new VT line is that they can supposedly be used either for varmint OR target shooting:


View attachment 1487636


As I understand it, these bullets should have approximately the same external dimensions as the comparable version ELD-M bullet, but the weight of the ELD-VT bullet will be slightly less due to a shorter/smaller lead core:

View attachment 1487638 View attachment 1487639

If so, these bullets should enjoy reasonably good BCs, but not quite as high as the comparable ELD-M bullet due to the lesser weight.

The real questions in my mind will be how well the jackets hold up and what effect changing the center of gravity (CG) might have on precision. Some manufacturers use heavier jackets for target bullets, and with good reason. Some of the Hornady ELD-M bullets have already developed a reputation for being prone to jacket failure, so hopefully the jackets of these VT bullets will be better, although I doubt it. The CG issue is what it is, we will find out soon enough. I have become a big proponent of the .224" ELD-M bullets, and I wish Hornady success with this endeavor. I don't really view these VT bullets as viable "match" bullets for most shooters, as the ELD-Ms would be the better choice for use solely in competition. However, they may find a niche for those that wish to compete and hunt with the same rifle. An F-TR rig chambered in .223 Rem or .308 Win pulling double duty as a hunting and competition rifle would be one example of how that might work.

I could see the 62gr being a great shortline bullet for xtc. Same BC as a 77gr with less recoil and more speed. Time will tell.

 

[Ned Ludd]

I could see the 62gr being a great shortline bullet for xtc. Same BC as a 77gr with less recoil and more speed. Time will tell.

There could be specific cases where the lighter weight might allow hitting the next higher node as compared to the heavier ELD-M version, or hitting the same node at lower pressure, no question about it. How well the jackets hold up in competition loads will be critical. It may even turn out that more competition shooters use these than varmint hunters. The 62 gr .224" bullet is a little light for F-TR, but if they ever come up with an 80 gr .224" version, I'd give it a try in an F-TR rifle.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Ok now I want to build a 22br just for that 62 gr.

Would like a heavy 108ish 6mm for the winds.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Ok now I want to build a 22br just for that 62 gr.

Would like a heavy 108ish 6mm for the winds.

I think that bullet will make a lot of people want to do a barrel just for that one.

 

[Ranger188]

Received this info from Hornady. OAL of the 6mm 80g VT
Thank you for reaching out. That OAL is 1.170. Minimum twist rate is 1:8

Thank you,

Hornady/SnapSafe Tech Team

 

[B23]

Received this info from Hornady. OAL of the 6mm 80g VT
Thank you for reaching out. That OAL is 1.170. Minimum twist rate is 1:8

That 8 twist minimum requirement seems like a lot for an 80 grainer but then again 1.170 OAL for a 80gr 6mm bullet is extremely long.

I was thinking these new 80's would likely work well in my 6CM but it only has a 9tw barrel, and, a very short FB soooo it looks like I'll be sticking with the 70gr Nosler BT's in that one.

 

[DiRTY DOG]

Better than Berger,Nosler, or Sierra which haven't developed a new varmint bullet In about 30 years.

Nosler Ballistic Tip Lead free are fantastic. Exceptional accuracy and performance. The 6mm 55gr NBT-LF is my primary coyote bullet in 6mmDTI. They havent made any in about 4 years...

I prefer the Hornady NTX lead free Varmint bullets for 22cal, they are very accurate also.

 

[AlNyhus]

There's not a bullet made that you need a seven twist for a 22 Creedmoor It's completely inappropriate for that caliber. For the bullets being made today an 8 twist is as fast as you would need for any of the standard 22 Creedmoor loads and bullets

There are quite a few commonly used and available .224 bullets that require twist rates faster than 1:8 for adequate stabilization.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I think Urban was basing his comment on the speed of the 22 Creedmoor.
1:8 Stability Factors;
At a speed that will blow up a .224 bullet, 1:8 is probably all you need.
Example, at sea level the Berger 90gr VLD, has a S.F. of 1.05 @ 2800fps, but @ 5000 fps has a S.F. of 1.27.

OK bad example
1:8
Example, at sea level the Berger 75gr VLD, has a S.F. of 1.46 @ 2800fps, but @ 3100fps has a S.F. of 1.51.
3100fps? Easy Peasy

 

[AlNyhus]

Does anyone know the length of this new bullet?