Comments on: New Hornady ELD Bullets with Heat-Resistant Tips

By: Nic desmonts

Nic desmonts — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 06:56:01 +0000

What about the tips of the v-Max’s driven at Mach IV+ In varmint guns? Do they melt as well?over what distance?

By: Scott Parker

Scott Parker — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 21:36:09 +0000

It is interesting that such convex drag curves are not seen in other tests of tipped bullets. One would think that the phenomenon would be present in multiple tests. Given the size, reputation and commitment of Hornady, I do not question their findings. It does raise many questions however.

If Mr.Tubb found the same issues with his tipped projectiles, then it represents another body of evidence to the tip melting problem.

I can hardly wait to read the explanations from people who are quite knowledgeable in this field. That said, utter silence would not surprise me.

By: Steve Urban

Steve Urban — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 16:16:16 +0000

Interesting, I have shot the 75gr A-max @3150 in palma matches and never encountered a problem. The best score I ever shot at 900 meters(75V10), but the barrel life did suffer! I will try the ELD in my 6.5X284.

By: Olin

Olin — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 15:24:33 +0000

So rather than replacing A-MAX tips with these new ones, they’ve left the line defective and customers get to pay more for a product with a new name.

By: Dtubb

Dtubb — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:18:38 +0000

Why do you think SSS didn’t release the 111 gr 6MM plastic tip DTAC in 2008. Thank goodness for an Oehler 43 and long distance testing.. Hard to eat 500,000 bullets.

By: Guy

Guy — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 13:30:59 +0000

We were shooting the new tipped sierra`s at 600Y and they were doing very well,,,not nearly as well at 1000Y. Makes me wonder.

By: Neil

Neil — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 09:09:21 +0000

Not surprised, the stagnation temperatures at 875 m/s (2,870 fps, M2.6) and 1,020 m/s (3,350 fps, M3) are about 370C (700F) and 480C (900F) respectively. Certainly enough to melt many plastics. Obviously the temperature the tips reach would depend on the heat transfer rate and time of flight.

Can’t say how fast, but I remember certain experimental tank-gun APFSDS projectiles going so quick that by 2 km, their noses and tail fins were glowing bright red. So above 870C (1,600F). Rather warm.

By: Sams

Sams — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 01:11:42 +0000

You would think they would retip the amax as well.

By: Guy

Guy — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 23:56:36 +0000

Melting tips. Interesting.

By: ELR Researcher

ELR Researcher — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 23:47:24 +0000

Interestingly, at least the ,338 ELD projectile is already posted on their site. The SKU adds a “1” to the current, same weight, A-MAX SKU and a 4.2% price premium (MSRP). The G1 BC is higher, .789 vs .778 and they note, “Accurate, radar verified BCs”. There is no G7 BC posted for the A-MAX and there is no such “radar verified” statement made for the A-MAX.

So…is the A-MAX line going away?