Hugnot
Well-Known Member
Hornady has a new line of bullets that are directed towards varmint & target use.
These ELD-VT bullets all share a common characteristic - extensive void between base of plastic tip & top of core.
G7 BC values are high for bullet weights & sectional density values are low, thus Form Factors are low (good).
Being of lighter weight these bullets may be driven faster, higher MV values.
The attached spread sheet shows a variety of Hornady bullets - .224 (.22-.250), .243 (6mm CM & 6mm AI) & .264 (6.5CM & 6.5-06) with estimated velocities. As indicated the new ELD-VT bullets would/should provide advantages like flatter trajectories than some other Hornady bullets. Observe the higher velocities for the ELD-VT bullets. The Form Factor concept is explained in the Berger manual.
The nice .308 178 ELDM that can be driven at 3,000 fps from a .300WM using powder charges in the mid 70 grain range was included.
bergerbullets.com
My usual rifle selection for high density rodents is the .20P & .204R with 40 VMax @ 3600-3650 & .22-.250 with 75 ELDM @ 3250 for targets out on colony edges. Many shots are taken. A cost analysis shows the 40Vmax to be very effective at less than $22/100. The 75 ELD at less than $30/100 is effective. At a suggested price of $45/100 for the new ELD-VT bullets volume shooting would be "exciting" but pricy.
Minimum twist rate analysis using the Miller method would be misleading due to the larger void space compared to other bullets.
Another bullet having the same characteristics is the 107 gr. 6.5mm Sierra MK -extensive void between core & metplat. This bullet can be driven close to 3400 fps from a 6.5-06 and shoots amazingly well up to 600 yards. The limitation being the hollow/open point (real pointy) that does not give expansion on small targets.
A 9-twist barrel shoots the 107 6.5 Si MK well & a 10 twist might also stabilize it. A cross section of the 107 shows about 20% of bullet length void. Similar stabilization for the 100 6.5 ELD-VT -bullet front end void & light plastic moving center of gravity/mass aft.
These ELD-VT bullets all share a common characteristic - extensive void between base of plastic tip & top of core.
G7 BC values are high for bullet weights & sectional density values are low, thus Form Factors are low (good).
Being of lighter weight these bullets may be driven faster, higher MV values.
The attached spread sheet shows a variety of Hornady bullets - .224 (.22-.250), .243 (6mm CM & 6mm AI) & .264 (6.5CM & 6.5-06) with estimated velocities. As indicated the new ELD-VT bullets would/should provide advantages like flatter trajectories than some other Hornady bullets. Observe the higher velocities for the ELD-VT bullets. The Form Factor concept is explained in the Berger manual.
The nice .308 178 ELDM that can be driven at 3,000 fps from a .300WM using powder charges in the mid 70 grain range was included.
Form Factor
Various 6mm bullets pictures left to right: 64gr BR Column Target, 80gr Flat Based Varmint, 109gr Long Range Hybrid Target, and 115gr VLD Target A Bullet's Ballistic Coefficient is comprised of 3 basic components: Weight, Diameter, and Form Factor. The weight and diameter of the
bergerbullets.com
My usual rifle selection for high density rodents is the .20P & .204R with 40 VMax @ 3600-3650 & .22-.250 with 75 ELDM @ 3250 for targets out on colony edges. Many shots are taken. A cost analysis shows the 40Vmax to be very effective at less than $22/100. The 75 ELD at less than $30/100 is effective. At a suggested price of $45/100 for the new ELD-VT bullets volume shooting would be "exciting" but pricy.
Minimum twist rate analysis using the Miller method would be misleading due to the larger void space compared to other bullets.
Another bullet having the same characteristics is the 107 gr. 6.5mm Sierra MK -extensive void between core & metplat. This bullet can be driven close to 3400 fps from a 6.5-06 and shoots amazingly well up to 600 yards. The limitation being the hollow/open point (real pointy) that does not give expansion on small targets.
A 9-twist barrel shoots the 107 6.5 Si MK well & a 10 twist might also stabilize it. A cross section of the 107 shows about 20% of bullet length void. Similar stabilization for the 100 6.5 ELD-VT -bullet front end void & light plastic moving center of gravity/mass aft.
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