.257 Hornady A-Tip

I'd be tempted to try them for that BC gain over the 134s. But I've heard from some knowledgeable folks that A tip terminal performance can be variable..some working perfectly some not. On the other hand the 134s have been excellent on game for me and already retain plenty of velocity well beyond ranges I will personally shoot animals.
 
I bought some 162 gr sst bullet's when they 1st came out. They guy at the gun shop asked me what I was going to shoot with them. My reply was a spike elk.
He went on about how that bullet wouldn't work on elk only deer sized game and I should buy something else.

Well it worked perfectly well out of my 7 mag at 400 yards
High shoulder shot and dropped.
Maybe I was to dumb to know better.
I prefer a bonded or core lock bullets 20+yrs later. But wouldn't give up a hunt if all I had was cup and core bullets.
 
230atips out of a 300prc will turn a hogs cardiovascular system into purple sludge....with a high degree of violence and bad intentions!

That's all I have to add for now @Phil Rizzo

The 25max will definitely get some flung out of it once they come available. And I wouldn't hesitate to put one in the vitals of "a deer of a lifetime" at extended ranges.

They do kinda need a modified seating stem imo.
 
I'd be tempted to try them for that BC gain over the 134s. But I've heard from some knowledgeable folks that A tip terminal performance can be variable..some working perfectly some not. On the other hand the 134s have been excellent on game for me and already retain plenty of velocity well beyond ranges I will personally shoot animals.
In the early 1980s, I was fortunate to work in an engineering prototype industry developing electro-magnetic peripheral products. So, I have always been fascinated with innovations, and trying them has never been an issue.

In 2021, I put together a budget project in .257 WBY for my first .25 caliber/cartridge. It was primarily built to propel the heavies—131 BJ and Berger 133/135. Then came the Hornady 134 (and now the 138), followed by the 145 Black Hole and the 163 Chinchage (thanks to @Bghunter338 for the introduction). I jumped to the 145 Black Hole with very good pressure test results but temporarily put it on hold to explore the 163 Chinchaga, which also had very promising test results.

Chinchaga is supposedly going to start building the 180s; when available, I will also explore the Hornady 138. There are naysayers here who were questioning why I would go heavier than the 145s, but I simply responded because I could. Honestly, I do not care because it is my time, effort, and money—and that's the beauty of having plenty of choices to choose from and the freedom to choose. 🤣
 
In the early 1980s, I was fortunate to work in an engineering prototype industry developing electro-magnetic peripheral products. So, I have always been fascinated with innovations, and trying them has never been an issue.

In 2021, I put together a budget project in .257 WBY for my first .25 caliber/cartridge. It was primarily built to propel the heavies—131 BJ and Berger 133/135. Then came the Hornady 134 (and now the 138), followed by the 145 Black Hole and the 163 Chinchage (thanks to @Bghunter338 for the introduction). I jumped to the 145 Black Hole with very good pressure test results but temporarily put it on hold to explore the 163 Chinchaga, which also had very promising test results.

Chinchaga is supposedly going to start building the 180s; when available, I will also explore the Hornady 138. There are naysayers here who were questioning why I would go heavier than the 145s, but I simply responded because I could. Honestly, I do not care because it is my time, effort, and money—and that's the beauty of having plenty of choices to choose from and the freedom to choose. 🤣
Totally understand that! At my stage of life, I'd rather have a gun that holds zero and stack of components enough to kill that barrel and a pile of critters..but will gladly tune in to what your findings are 👍🏻
 
Totally understand that! At my stage of life, I'd rather have a gun that holds zero and stack of components enough to kill that barrel and a pile of critters..but will gladly tune in to what your findings are 👍🏻
I, too, am not getting any younger, but I plan to live my life to the fullest as I have in over six decades—life is too short not to. As far as killing the barrel, it will be a while, as I have plenty to rotate and shoot. 🤣 I will definitely share any findings. Cheers!
 
Link to testing 6.5mm 153gr bullet. My experience same with 190 7mm.


Similar results for me in a Creedmoor. But in my 6.5 PRC and 6.5 SS….drastically different. Much more expansion up front.
Take, for example, Sierra and their 145g TGK designed for the 6.5 PRC… not all bullets will work well for hunting in all cartridges, but that doesn't mean that they can't work in some cartridges
 
Link to testing 6.5mm 153gr bullet. My experience same with 190 7mm.


I have seen that test many times. If he had not strapped the gel block, the KE it generated would have flown out of the bench like this video a friend tested.



LOL, he commented about rocket science. As far as I know, Norma is the first and only one to measure KE.



This guy has a few videos testing bullets using ballistic gel, and I like his honest opinions.

 
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Link to testing 6.5mm 153gr bullet. My experience same with 190 7mm.


That looked pretty disturbing to me when watching the gel block lift up off the table. Even considering the first gel block is ratchet strapped down. And what would be the outcome upon hitting bone ? Would we being seeing the same results ? I highly doubt it. I personally would not be scared to use them for hunting. Especially with more velocity.
 
That looked pretty disturbing to me when watching the gel block lift up off the table. Even considering the first gel block is ratchet strapped down. And what would be the outcome upon hitting bone ? Would we being seeing the same results ? I highly doubt it. I personally would not be scared to use them for hunting. Especially with more velocity.
Agreed!
 

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