Switching Bullets - Should I Start Over?

[archerben]

I finally received a couple of boxes of Hornady's new ELD-X bullets (6.5 143gr). I'm hoping to replace my Berger 140 VLD bullets with this new Hornady bullet. The question is, do I start over with seating depth tests, or do I just run with my current seating depth that I've found to be optimal for the Bergers? What's the chances of them both liking the same seating depth? Thoughts/opinions?

[fgw_in_fla]

Different bullet / different criteria / different seating depth.
Don't forget to work up your powder, too.

Don't forget to let us know:
Do they rock?
or
Do they suck?

I've been looking at them as well. Over the past year or so I've been transitioning away from Nosler and using more Sierra products but I like what I read about the new Hornady bullets.

[dlaboone]

I tried them in mine,CBI barrel. They shot terrible,I tried different seating depths,Different powders.My rifle just dont like them! This rifle will print 142 smk's in the .2s all day.I am courious how they shoot in yours,please let us know.

[archerben]

I'm hoping to get out and try them soon, although I'm debating on whether or not to wait until it warms up a little. Does anybody have an opinion on whether or not freezing temps affect a barrels ability to shoot small groups?

[67tundra]

I'm hoping to get out and try them soon, although I'm debating on whether or not to wait until it warms up a little. Does anybody have an opinion on whether or not freezing temps affect a barrels ability to shoot small groups?

I'm also interested to hear a answer to this question.

[LongRange]

I tried them in mine,CBI barrel. They shot terrible,I tried different seating depths,Different powders.My rifle just dont like them! This rifle will print 142 smk's in the .2s all day.I am courious how they shoot in yours,please let us know.

this is all I needed to hear...I'll stick to bergers and sierras...thanks dlaboone.

[eddiesindian]

Different bullet / different criteria / different seating depth.
Don't forget to work up your powder, too.

Don't forget to let us know:
Do they rock?
or
Do they suck?

I've been looking at them as well. Over the past year or so I've been transitioning away from Nosler and using more Sierra products but I like what I read about the new Hornady bullets.

+1.............

[archerben]

I've got 24 of these bad boys loaded up for seating depth testing on Monday.

[archerben]

Today's Shooting Session:

Purpose: Determine best seating depth for Hornady ELD-X 143gr.

8 Total groups, three shots each group. I had 6 rounds loaded of each seating depth, and split them into two groups per seating depth. All groups shot at 100 yards.

Results:
Largest Group: .99"
Best Group : .377"
# Groups 1/2 moa or better: 5

[Chrazy-Chris]

Dang I need to play with seating depth. By the time I figure out the optimal bullet, powder, and charge I just want to load up hundreds of them. I need more patience. And easier range access.

[darkker]

Glad you found something that works Ben!!

Unless they are on the super-cheap, I just don't personally care for Hornady anymore.

[archerben]

Care to elaborate on why you don't like Hornady? This is really the first Hornady bullet I've tried.

Concerning load dev, next up is a ladder test for 2.545 and 2.465 seating depths.

[darkker]

They have done a number of things regarding bullets, BC's, and production "halts" to sell A product, until they had to catch-up and reintroduced the old as new! This newest line being run by the marketing dept...

I think they make perfectly good bullets, I just don't care for some of the choices they made.

Please keep this thread updated with you progress! Always good to read personal result.

[archerben]

Thanks for the explanation. I appreciate it.

[Mozella]

.... snip.........What's the chances of them both liking the same seating depth? Thoughts/opinions?

Who knows, but I would say "zero". And what if the real chances were 75%, is that good enough?

Most of us who like fooling around with reloading and shooting are searching for the highest precision we can get within our budget and (sometimes) what we perceive to be just this side of insanity.

If your new bullet shot pretty well using the same settings, wouldn't you wonder if some other seating depth and/or powder charge would make them even better? Of course you would, assuming you're interesting in optimizing your particular recipe.

So the real answer is, as others have already said, you gotta explore all reasonable options. Perhaps if the new bullet is quite like the old one you can eliminate testing charges WAY more or less than what works now, but you still need to do some genuine testing with charge weights and when it comes to seating depths, I think you can't afford to narrow your test parameters too much. In my experience similar bullets can work best at seating depths which vary quite bit even though the best powder charge weight might be close to what worked with the old bullet.

Bottom line: You gotta' test.