Hornady ELD-VT

BRACES of Bristol - Sauer 100 XTA Stainless Package
Penyard

Penyard

Well-Known Member
Just wondering if any of you have tried working up loads with the new ELD-VT bullets yet?

I have and the results so far have been very disappointing. I’ve been trying to work up a load using the 80gr in 6mm for my 6XC which is a 1:8 twist. I checked with Hornady tech dept prior to buying the bullets and was assured 8 twist would be fine which I still think should be the case. Thus far tried RS60 and N550 as well as some seating depth variations but all groups are > 2 moa and some nearer 3 moa.

At mag length they are already a long way from lands so might be missing some accuracy gain but have to say I am pretty disappointed for what I thought was going to be a great foxing bullet. I was that confident I bought 200 so would really like to get them to work! Maybe I was a sucker for the Hornady marketing machine??!!

I realise 6XC is a bit niche so doubt many or any of you will have tried these in that chambering but wondering if other members have tried them in other formats and how you have found them for load development and accuracy??
 
I have tried them in 6.5x47 and intend to also try them in 6.5x284. In the 6.5x47, I tried 5 powder weights, sat 5 thou into the lands. All of the loads until the very last one (the highest pressure) were terrible. I need to repeat the load and shoot a few more 5 shot groups just to confirm but, the first was noted as a pull and the other 4 grouped nicely (see below). Going from the velocity data, the load does appear promising.

Those who have replied and had bad luck with them, have you measured runout of a loaded round? When trying high BC for weight bullets in 22 and a 6mm, I've had issues with fliers. When I measured the runout, some were in excess of 12 thou. It seemed the standard seating stem was literally only pushing on the tip and not much else. When I bought a VLD stem for the die, all my problems went. Maybe worth a measure if you have the equipment to do so?
 

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DLH_ said:
I have tried them in 6.5x47 and intend to also try them in 6.5x284. In the 6.5x47, I tried 5 powder weights, sat 5 thou into the lands. All of the loads until the very last one (the highest pressure) were terrible. I need to repeat the load and shoot a few more 5 shot groups just to confirm but, the first was noted as a pull and the other 4 grouped nicely (see below). Going from the velocity data, the load does appear promising.

Those who have replied and had bad luck with them, have you measured runout of a loaded round? When trying high BC for weight bullets in 22 and a 6mm, I've had issues with fliers. When I measured the runout, some were in excess of 12 thou. It seemed the standard seating stem was literally only pushing on the tip and not much else. When I bought a VLD stem for the die, all my problems went. Maybe worth a measure if you have the equipment to do so?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the really helpful reply DLH.

Given that the frontal area of the bullet is a void with a relatively thin jacket around it I guess there is an increased risk of deformation when seating. I have got a 6mm VLD stem for my Wilson seating die and will have a look at measuring runout.

Having checked last night I was wrong in stating that mag length prevents me from seating close or in the lands although that creates a separate concern as there is not a lot of bullet shank in the case neck but this does give me options for further experimentation, as does pushing them a bit harder as I do not currently have any pressure signs although not far from theoretical predicted max load.

I’m not giving up just yet but tend to do my load development in the summer and at this time of year need to be out firing bullets at foxes not fiddling trying to get loads to shoot!

Any other real world experience, particularly with the 6mm 80gr version would be greatly appreciated, please.
 
I have shot some very good groups with 6mm 80grs eld-vt. But the es in fps is not good. In between it drops 50fps or goes up 35fps. Finally I weighed the bullets and have a maximum deviation of 1.1grs. But there are many that are in the 0.6 range. In comparison, 6mm Hornady 105grs hpbt is mainly within 0.3. 6mm 90grs Berger hpbt is within 0.2grs.
 
shoot them in 6.5Grendel
Even the factory loads are single ragged hole
Can't see why they would be any less accurate than VMax or ELD-M neither of which are particularly fussy

Shot lots of stuff with them too
work very well
Usually use 95gr VMax
Same POI and similar trajectory out to 300ish

Stuff I hit has fallen over and not noticed the difference
 
I’m really pleased that @Edinburgh Rifles is not experiencing the challenges with the VTs that myself and numerous others are. Whilst I do not claim to be Eric Cortana, I am not a complete numpty either and somehow have managed to consistently make accurate and reliable ammo for 8 different calibres over the years, including for this 6XC which has not been too fussy with any of the 5 other bullets I have used in it. Due to the atrocious accuracy with my attempts with the VTs I have left them on the shelf and will have another go at trying to develop an accurate load when I get time. Meanwhile, it continues to put Nosler BT 70gr in to one ragged hole at 3,700 fps which then leaves me wondering why I need the damned VTs anyway!!
 
As I wrote earlier, the accuracy is fantastic when they work. Under 1/4 moa on several occasions, and yes, I am fully capable of shooting such groups. I have been in contact with the Hornady factory regarding my issue and they have been very accommodating. I received a response to my inquiry in less than a day. They took my inquiry seriously and within a short time I was contacted by the importer here with the message that I was credited with the number of boxes I had purchased from that lot. It should be said that there is still a discrepancy in weight, so I sort bullets. I think that a discrepancy of more than 0.4grs is too much. What I have of Berger is within 0.2grs. Barts is within 0.1grs. Other Hornady bullets I have are mainly within 0.3grs. I even have a 30 year old box of .30 Sierra varminter 110grs where most of it is within 0.1grs. Now I have sorted 150 out of 300 new eld-vt and there is a larger number that is within what I accept. But the largest deviation is 1.3grs. about 15 out of 100 are outside 0.3grs of the weight I have chosen. 79.8grs to 80.1grs. This for 6mm 80grs eld-vt
 
Glad I found this post, although I’m looking at these for my 223. The V Max 55gr in my 1:8 are pretty good, as are the 55gr Nosler, however, the V Max are a Bu99er to seat as they aren’t boat tailed, the ELD VT are, so I thought I’d found a viable option to test, not too sure now reading this thread………🧐
 
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