Hornady

If Hornady put their bonding technology into their mid and small caliber bullets, a-frame/tbbc and accubond/scirroco style, they would have almost every aspect of bullet covered.

In my experience they are among the top manufactures for accuracy.
Yes the precision hunter shooting ELD-X bullets is one of the most consistently accurate factory loads I use. Across a wide range of rifles too old and new!

But ya very soft bullet like any other non bonded tipped bullet.
Not for Africa at all… but shooting NA deer out to very far? Yes please!
 
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I wouldn’t call Hornady bullets “bad”. As they produce a variety of designs, you have to be selective as to which you choose for the appropriate application.
I will however say that the Interlocks at high velocity at closer ranges are extremely destructive. I don’t have any experience with the Interbond, but would expect it to perform similar to a Nosler AB. I also haven’t used the CX monolithic bullets, but would expect it to behave similar to a Barnes. The V-Max are hell on groundhogs.
 
I'd say ELD-X (any cup-and-core, TBH) is probably not a good idea out of a fast mover like a 300 PRC. This was 200+ yards with a 212 gr.

View attachment 573451

For cartridges where MV is no more than 2500-2600 fps, I think Interlocks perform quite nicely.

I love those results (if you are not doing a shoulder mount), dead right there, and no tracking involved. Perfect!
 
I've shot animals with a majority of brands of ammo, BUT just like the rifle being more accurate than the guy behind it, if it is a bad shot it doesn't matter what brand you are shooting.
 
I wouldn’t call Hornady bullets “bad”. As they produce a variety of designs, you have to be selective as to which you choose for the appropriate application.
I will however say that the Interlocks at high velocity at closer ranges are extremely destructive. I don’t have any experience with the Interbond, but would expect it to perform similar to a Nosler AB. I also haven’t used the CX monolithic bullets, but would expect it to behave similar to a Barnes. The V-Max are hell on groundhogs.
When I started working up a load for the 165 grain CX I half expected to put a fair amount work into it to get it to group well and consistently.

Turns out it was one of the easiest bullets I've yet to come across for working up a good load.

Shows you how much I know....
 
My longest shot in many many years was at my bull elk in Oct, 347 yds. 165 gr accubond from my under 6 lb, 20" barrel 308, wind drifted bullet forward some and he took it in the shoulder. Penetration was thru shoulder and got onside lung, bullet was not recovered but saw no exit. He walked 500 yds then stopped obviously hurt bad, but it took another to lay him down. I got very lucky, he could have gone other way into miles of uncharted bush.

I had my 338 in camp but long shots there are rare. Now a 300 WSM is ready, looking for something that will penetrate better, 180 gr something? Did use 180 gr partitions years ago but again weight retention is not 2023 standards. Never shot a mono bullet but from reading internet "pros" seams like the terminal ascent comes in at #1, but cant find so may as well not exist, leaves me with the Hornady CX. Will get some, get gun to group with a "liked" load and see how they work on our elk, hopefully next year or bear in spring.

One thing that does bother me with companies who get Gov contracts. They sure show their allegiance when after winning a contract hunting bullets almost stop production. Demonstrates that the $$$ is their priority and faithful hunters/patrons are NOT. I am unsure if Nosler received any contracts and have no idea why there are none of that brand on shelves here.

Hornady continues to place their hunter buyers first, I respect that from them. CX are getting higher on the list.

MB
 
The Nosler Partition bullet is designed to create a wide wounding on entry, but retain the weight behind the partition to ensure deep penetration. In my experience they do exactly that. I have used them on several bull elk and a number of deer. On elk they can usually be recovered under the skin of the opposite side of the animal. These bullets have worked well for a lot of people for a very long time.

I would be pleased if Nosler would also create a Bonded Partition in 7mm and up magnum calibers.
 
Not just 7mm, a bonded partition in an array of calibers would be great. But Nosler seams to be having issues with current models on shelves. Newer 2023 bullets seam to retain more weight and have better BC. No nocking of the partition, they have dispatched many animals for me.

MB
 
Similar to an A Frame, yes, but perhaps less unobtainium. A Frames are real hammers on large game.
 
I love those results (if you are not doing a shoulder mount), dead right there, and no tracking involved. Perfect!
On the giant rats, not a big deal. That would ruin a lot of meat on a white tail.

The older I get, the more I appreciate the near absence of meat destruction I get from the modest loads in my 45-70, 6.5x55, and 9.3x62. And I've never recovered a bullet from any of them.
 
They "Hornady" get the job done
Screenshot_20231208_200725_Gallery.jpg
 
Is that a CX? Caliber and grain? Enquiring minds (me) want to know.

Thanks

Mark
30 06 , in 150 grain interlock.
The factory load velocity for this cartridge is 2700 feet/ second, but I load it for 2200 feet/ second.
I shot this whitetail buck at about 150- 170 yards. It hits his left shoulder and stopped at his right thigh. If this was a factory cartridge, it will pass through.
Regards!
 
I’ve used Hornaday bullets on everything up to & including Elk & haven’t had a single problem. I really hesitate to call Hornaday an inferior bullet. Accuracy wise, I get just over 1/2” groups in a .222 REM. & a .22-250.
I like them!
@F. Vaccaro
My 222 is the same with 50 and 55gn V Max.
My son and I have killed a lot of game with both the 25 cal 117gn SST and 150gn 308 SSTs also very accurate. They hold together better than people realise. We have only ever recover one 150gn.
The old 250gr Hornady round nose is extremely accurate in my 35 at 2,680fps and the oryx bull I shot didn't complain and had a golf ball exit hole at 120yds.
Affordable and effective in my book but hey it's a thin book.
Bob
 
I'd say ELD-X (any cup-and-core, TBH) is probably not a good idea out of a fast mover like a 300 PRC. This was 200+ yards with a 212 gr.

View attachment 573451

For cartridges where MV is no more than 2500-2600 fps, I think Interlocks perform quite nicely.
@sgt_zim
I don't see the hog complaining about being hit with that ELDX. With a wound like that he weren't going nowhere. Dead is dead.
Bob
 
@sgt_zim
I don't see the hog complaining about being hit with that ELDX. With a wound like that he weren't going nowhere. Dead is dead.
Bob
As I said above, it's a hog, don't really care very much about the destruction.

If I had wasted that much meat (on a shoulder shot) on a white tail or an elk, I'd be a little upset.

Cup-and-cores still do what they've always done when impact velocities aren't too high. But, there was a legit reason why John Nosler decided there needed to be something better.
 
As I get older shoulder shots on game are becoming more sensible, two reasons, #1 two broken shoulders & there’s no tracking, and #2 two broken shoulders & you don’t have to follow wounded game into tangled places where you need a chain saw to get to them. I’ll sacrifice a bit of meat for these reasons.
 

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