Hornady 140 ELDM Ammo Lot

[Southern Lights]

I just prefer the ELDM bullets and have shot them in 6.5x55 for ages. In New Zealand ammo loads can often be in short supply so what you get is limited. This is why I often handload here.

I do shoot Sako 6.5 120gr blade in 6.5CM and they are doing a decent 2890fps or so. The Hornady match ammo is a particular stinker in this caliber. I will shoot it, but again I'll limit it on hunting ranges. The trajectory is bad at that velocity and there is no advantage to using it over the 6.5x55 except for pre-loaded convenience.

 

[35WhelenAI]

For what it's worth, I have used mono's, specifically Barnes since I started reloading in 1993. They are on the opposite end of the spectrum, however, they kill just as well.

My point being, don't get caught up on one specific projectile. They will all do the job and if you get more velocity and range within the expansion window of the bullet, switch manufacturers to get what you need and want.

 

[Pistolpete28]

I am not seeing any issues here.

My Hornady 140-grain ELDM’s are 2530-2550 out of a 20” Tikka barrel. The box says 2710 from a 24” barrel.

The same rifle gets 2490 from AAC 140-grain FMJ. The box says 2700 from a 24” barrel.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

I’m getting the same fps with a 20” tikka and 140 Eldm ammo. I only have 54 rounds down the barrel, I hope the speed increases with more shots through the barrel. 2600 average would be fine with me

 

[Frozenlead]

I’m getting the same fps with a 20” tikka and 140 Eldm ammo. I only have 54 rounds down the barrel, I hope the speed increases with more shots through the barrel. 2600 average would be fine with me

My 24” tikka with 147’s is averaging around 2608 currently. Around 180 rounds down the pipe.

 

[35WhelenAI]

I'm trying to follow all the different velocities and barrel lengths, but the gun has a lot to do with it with respect to chamber dimensions, fast or slow barrel etc. It seems sometimes a cookie cutter is expected and there's nothing guaranteed.

 

[35WhelenAI]

My Hornady Superperformance 130gr in 270 is 3155 from the same rifle 22" barrel which is the box spec. The 6.5CM Hornady ammo performance in my and others I know though is just much slower. I was pretty disappointed when I bought the caliber for the rifle as I didn't want to reload to get the correct speed. As it were, it is accurate but just makes it a shorter range caliber.

I'd understand if it is 24" testing in a 22" barrel. But we're talking nearly 200fps off box spec which means 100fps per inch which I don't find believable in a short action cartridge. Should be more like 25fps per inch.

Revisiting this post. You might lose 50 to 100 FPS with the shorter Barrel, a slower burning powder loses more per inch than a fast burning powder. In my experience. The individual gun characteristics come into play as well. It's about average pressure in the barrel, when a faster powder reaches its peak sooner and starts dropping off as it exits a shorter barrel it's average pressure will be higher than a slower powder which would maintain more pressure in a longer barrel but doesn't get that benefit because the bullet is already gone. That's my understanding of it all, flame on.

 

[Southern Lights]

I suspect the issue is that Hornady probably had to change powder from original spec from what I've seen around and it is what it is. I got the 6.5CM for the dream of shooting match accurate loads with off the shelf ammo. It is accurate, but if I'm shooting a match this isn't the ammo/caliber I'm reaching for because the performance is very anemic.

 

[35WhelenAI]

It's been said Hornady has had to change powders, interesting I don't know if there are other manufacturers dealing with velocity loss. Hornady appears to be the one with issues. Anyone report if other manufacturers are having the same issues with respect to advertised versus actual velocity?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I suspect the issue is that Hornady probably had to change powder from original spec from what I've seen around and it is what it is. I got the 6.5CM for the dream of shooting match accurate loads with off the shelf ammo. It is accurate, but if I'm shooting a match this isn't the ammo/caliber I'm reaching for because the performance is very anemic.

Are you getting lower than box performance from Hornady 6.5 CM using a 24” barrel?


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[West2East]

Are you getting lower than box performance from Hornady 6.5 CM using a 24” barrel?


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

Yes, Hornady is always faster on the box than in the field. even for 24" barrels. It's not just the 7PRC. All my rifles across different manufacturers have shot Hornady ammo slow.
My 147 ELDM ammo is published at 2695fps MV actual in MY tikka 6.5 CM 24" barrel is 2565fps

 

[Frozenlead]

It is quite possible that they have switched powders in the 6.5 ammo as well over their years. The 7prc speed issues were caused by this, supposedly they ran RL26 initially and then due to availability had to switch. Federal on the other hand was able to maintain the velocities by running RL26 in their 7prc load as they are owned by the same parent company that owns alliant.
I agree it is annoying with the box velocity being consistently off, but like most advertising it’s to be expected. The bigger issue is the speed variation from lot to lot.
Federal and Berger seem to be much more accurate in their box vs real world velocities, but they are also generally priced higher as well.

 

[Southern Lights]

Are you getting lower than box performance from Hornady 6.5 CM using a 24” barrel?


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

No it's a 22" barrel in a Blaser. I would expect to be about 25fps slower for each 1" shorter length, but their ammo is much slower (~200fps below box). I don't think adding 2" would help. Yes, rifle dependent, etc. which I expect. But the speed is so far off box spec that it just is pretty weak sauce.