130 eld-m vs 140 eld-m velocity

[C_R_Slacker]

I'll soon be out of my 139 scenars and i was thinking of trying a new bullet in my 260. Right now i am loading in the middle node and getting 2,825 fps out of a 26" barrel. I was thinking about going down in weight to pick up some velocity after trying some Prime. The Prime shot pretty much exactly 100 fps faster. Playing on my calculator with those velocities gave a slight edge to the 140 eld-m over the 130 eld-m, but the 130 eld-m was better than my current scenars. I'm wanting to give hornady a try because when you start talking price per thousand and price per barrel, they are a pretty significant savings.

Anyway, i said all that to say this...do my assumptions about velocity hold up, or are you seeing something else when comparing 130 vs 140? Also regarding Hornady in general...do they hold up to the more expensive lapuas and bergers in terms of consistency? I've never used any. Thanks in advance.

 

[DarinC]

Tagging in. I’m running 147’s due to thebc, but really looking into these lighter pills to see if I can make up the bc difference with speed. I have a batch of 130 rdf’s I’m ready to test, but waiting for the weather to cooperate. Curious about the 130 eld’s as I’ve heard mixed reports ont he rdf’s being tricky to load

 

[XLR308]

I'm pretty sure that prime loads the Norma 130 Golden Target bullet the same as in the 65 Creedmoor ammo. With a BC of 580 and and they can be found in the 500 count boxes for around .27 cents a bullet you might want to check those out.

 

[Eoddave27]

I just started experimenting with 123 and 130 ELD’s and I really like them so far. They actually seem to shoot a little better in my rifle. My velocities are about 100fps faster for the 130’s and about 200fps faster for the 123’s. I can’t say I see a significant difference in accuracy from brand to brand. I have tried several brands of bullets but keep coming back to Hornady due to cost and availability.

 

[XLR308]

I just started experimenting with 123 and 130 ELD’s and I really like them so far. They actually seem to shoot a little better in my rifle. My velocities are about 100fps faster for the 130’s and about 200fps faster for the 123’s. I can’t say I see a significant difference in accuracy from brand to brand. I have tried several brands of bullets but keep coming back to Hornady due to cost and availability.

I pretty much agree with all you posted, I have several partial boxes of Berger bullets in various calibers that seem to always get shelved after initial testing with Hornady winning the race. It's not that the Bergers don't shoot it's the price tag, dodgy availability or non existent availability in some cases and when the Hornady can be found just about anywhere for a much better price that seals the deal. It's also a plus that the AMAX and ELDM bullets are coyote and feral pigs worst nightmare in the cases that I've used them.
I haven't even finished building the rifle I'm working on now and allready have 500 of the 147eldm bullets sitting on the shelf waiting.

 

[C_R_Slacker]

Speaking of availability... I'm not really seeing 130 gr eld in stock. I found two or three places that have it, but they only have a few boxes, and they are from places I've never heard of. Has there been an availability problem with the 130's? Is hornady phasing them out or something? I'd hate to start load development only to have to switch to something else.

 

[MarinePMI]

Exactly my thoughts. I've been watching the development/offering of 130's in .264 for awhile now, and that is what has held me back; availability.

Norma's are sporadically available. RDF's came out then dried up overnight (I'm thinking they're tweaking something, as they are starting to trickle out again). And Hornady seem to be made of unobtainium (in bulk). PVI has some, but still waiting to see if they are going to be supported long term by Hornady.

Bergers have been out for awhile, but their availability (not to mention cost) has caused me to shy away as well. The Sierra's look interesting, but again at a $60 mark up (per 1000) over the Hornady's makes me hesitant. Then again, maybe I'm just over thinking this (wouldn't be the first time).

 

[briang7511]

i used to run the 140eldm exclusively. Love the bullet. Every box of a hundred there was always a couple flyers that could never be explained. Weight sort a few boxes and you will know why. After spending some coin on equipment i just decided it was better to run the bergers. if i can justify spending the money on the FX120 kit plus the fancy extras from area419 i can afford the bergers. just more consistent bullets. I run the 130 vld target. I hear the 130hybrid is just as good but havent tried yet. Ya you need to order a lot when they are in stock somewhere. the bergers just seem to perform better beyond 7-800 yds.

 

[Eoddave27]

Speaking of availability... I'm not really seeing 130 gr eld in stock. I found two or three places that have it, but they only have a few boxes, and they are from places I've never heard of. Has there been an availability problem with the 130's? Is hornady phasing them out or something? I'd hate to start load development only to have to switch to something else.

The 130’s have been hard to find lately. I bought a bunch of them when they were still available everywhere. I bought some of the Nosler 130 RDF to try out too. I really like the Hornady 123 SST’s in my 6.5 Grendel and they have been really hard to find. Oddly enough the only place I have found them lately is on the shelf at Cabelas.

 

[briang7511]

130 berger hybrid $37 a box
https://store.thirdgenerationshootingsupply.com/catalog/category/view/s/264-diameter/id/8781/

 

[Ripdog28]

OP , 2825 with 139 and your 26” is slow. They can be pushed faster. I’m pushing 140 Hybrids at 2849 in a 23.5” at sea level. I am sticking with the heavies because at distance they still do better. If I were you, I would find a higher node unless you have a Barrel by a company that’s known to be slow..

 

[C_R_Slacker]

Yeah, i know it's slow. I stated i was loading in the middle node. I want easy speed. I don't like pushing things to the ragged edge.

 

[Ripdog28]

I’m not close to the ragged edge. Brass has no marks and primers are just fine.

If you don’t like pushing to a higher node, you will not gain anything from a lighter bullet. You will need to push them hard to gain anything over a 140. If I go from a 140 to a 147 at 60-90fps slower, the 147 still beats my 140 by a small amount at distance. With a 130, you may save .1mil inside 600 but past that, the slightly slower heavies take over.

 

[C_R_Slacker]

I explored the next node up, gave me nearly 2900. But I felt like they were borderline overpressured. Probably would have been ok, but like I said, I don't like pushing the limits.

So in a "node for node" comparison between 130's and 140's, the 130's will be faster. The question is how much. Somebody above said he saw a 100 fps difference between 140's and 130's. I'm going to play with those numbers to see what I get.

Of course it may not matter if the 130's are hard to find. I ordered a box of 140 eldm's to try. Even if i get the same velocity as my scenars, the b.c. is much higher, so the drop, drift, and supersonic range will be a big improvement.

 

[Face]

I'm pretty sure that prime loads the Norma 130 Golden Target bullet the same as in the 65 Creedmoor ammo. With a BC of 580 and and they can be found in the 500 count boxes for around .27 cents a bullet you might want to check those out.

Have you loaded any of these? I am considering trying these but I have not found much information/reviews on them.

 

[XLR308]

Haven't loaded any but it's what I will initially test fire and break in if that's whad you want to call it in the Bartlien barrel I just installed.
It's the Norma match factory ammo.

 

[Face]

Haven't loaded any but it's what I will initially test fire and break in if that's whad you want to call it in the Bartlien barrel I just installed.
It's the Norma match factory ammo.

I have read that the golden target was what prime used. I was just curious as to why I cant find anyone loading these since everyone loves the prime ammo.

 

[MarinePMI]

IME their availability has been spotty.

 

[canezach]

My experience finding the Norma 130s has mirrored Marine's. When Prime first came out, I tried to replicate their load, but I couldn't find the bullets. Over the years, their availability has been inconsistent. Personally, I just load the 140 ELDM now. I've tried others, but the performance, price, and availability of the ELDM keeps me coming back.

 

[Face]

I have seen them available at times but have been cautious about trying them due to limited information. I shoot the 140 eldm also but thought about going lighter and faster.

 

[1jonathan1994]

130 eldm does not live up to its specs past 600 yds. Download it's custom curve and you will see before wasting money on them.
Below 600 They are easy to tune lasers.
140eldm is awesome.