Reading the article in American Rifleman this morning. I'm directly copying the wording from the magazine, but summarizing. What they learned is huge! And makes me really want some of these bullets to replace my A-max.

They searched for BC using a doppler radar, a much more efficient system that will produce hard BC numbers instead of making assumptions.

"The bullet itself was changing shape in flight. It did not take long for the Hornady team to realize it was not the whole bullet changing shape, only the non-metal component-the polymer tip." Bullets undergo the same heating effect as a vehicle re-entering the atmosphere, "with the highest temperature registering right on the tip, the point of the bullet's structure tasked with diverting air around the projectile as it travels at high speed. Hornady found that the temperature at the tip was actually exceeding the polymer's glass transition point- where material changes from rigid to rubbery- and possibly its melting point. Investigating further, the engineers found that the problem affected their competitors' tipped bullets as well. Bottom line, in Hornady's estimation, the current generation of polymer tips wasn't standing up to the heat. The aerodynamic benefits derived from using molded- polymer tips, with their perfect meplats, were not beig realized due to melting a deformation."

In short, my beloved A-max has it's tip melted off within the first 200 yards, thus reducing the BC. This also explains why so many of us have claimed an A-max behaves like a hollow point when hitting animals.

Hornady created a heat shield tip that would not melt in early flight, thereby mainting BC from the beginning. This was proven comparing a 140 A-max against the new ELD-X out of a 6.5 Creedmoor with the same muzzle velocity. The ELD-X had more velocity down range providing evidence that it maintianed a high BC down range. Tests went out to 800 yards, and the ELD-X had s whopping 100 fps more velocity at near the half mile mark.

This is a game changer that I am sure all polymer bullet makers will have to adapt to.

This is big news, that I thought I would share with the other ballistic nerds around here that may not get American Rifleman magazine.

Really awesome discovery these guys made. I can't wait to get some to replace the 208's in my 300WM.

Great article In the latest Shooting Times too. I read both and still don't know what's up. I did see the story on a Inside Ruger, TV show. The first ones, I think the tips melted, this is what is taking Hornady so long getting this bullet to market.

I got some of the new EXL Match 140 grain 6.5's loaded in the 6.5X55 today, the real test will come in the 6.6 Weatherby at 3000fps. Prepping brass now.

Love new stuff to play with.

It will be interesting to see how Nosler, Barnes, and Sierra respond.

Who else is making polymer-tipped bullets these days?

Did it say at what speed the tips start deforming.

The chart showed around 150-200 yards. I suspect that's the fractions of a second needed in flight time to heat up the tip.

Just friggin' great, I bought 2000 A-Max 140's for my 6.5 Creed build and NOW you tell me there is something better?

Anyone need to stock up on A-Max's?

I've got a biiiiig stack of em, Tim. I'm gonna keep running them. They have done a terrific job out to 1300 yards for several years. Got a first round hit at 1320 back in July, and they've whooped up on coyotes hogs and deer for several years.

I think I read the 7mm 162 gr A-max is discontinued. I have lots of those too, after much searching. Once they're gone, I'll go with the new ELD-X, that I suspect will replace the 7mm A-max.

What would 500 rounds cost? Thanks

Surely it wont be that much better than the Amax??

Well, did you read what I shared?

If the polymer tip on the A-max is melting off, and they corrected that on the ELD-X, then yes it is that much better.

I've always wondered if the exposed lead tips of soft points melt in flight.

Yep, I have around 1000 7mm 162 grain AMAX that I bought also but until the ELD X is available I am holding on to them. I do have on back order 200 of the 220 grain for my 300 win mag to play with though.

I hate to use logic but if the AMAX does a terrific job to 1300 yards, is there really a problem?

10-4 Scott

BTW Midway does have some .30 200gr ELD-X in stock, no more 6.5's yet.

Having more BC is like having too much horse power or too much money, there's no such thing

Increasing the BC decreases wind drift, and increases maintained velocity. Both of those aid in getting on target, and from a hunting aspect aid in more energy transfer.

I have received the 200gr ELD-X 30 cal but yet to try them.
Also have the new Sierra 7MM 183gr MatchKing's on the shelve to try soon.

Will a 1:12 barrel spin the 178gr .30 cal?

Would be tough I think, not sure what the length is. Most people go 1:10 on 308

Looks like it will. I'd stand on the gas.

http://www.shilen.com/calibersAndTwists.html

http://riflebarrels.com/calibers-and-twist-rates/

Sierra just released a 7mm 160gr tmk with a nice bc.

I need to try some in the 7mm-08.

Tips will melt because they aren't "heat shield" technology.

There is a post at another Long Range forum where a member actually melted tips on the Amax /Nosler/Sierra vs the new ELD's. Amax and Nosler melted quickest with the Sierra being better and the ELD doing even better. So I may hang with the new Tipped Sierra in my .308 just because they shoot so well.
The 175gr only traveling 2650fps anyway so they may do fine with that speed.