Hornady GMX

[Greg Nolan]

Has anybody tried the Hornady GMX ? It's gilding metal so it wont stick to the rifling as bad as Barnes and it has the relief rings to reduce pressure. I'm curious how they might be in terminal performance and accuracy.

 

[DrMike]

Greg,

I haven't used them in the field, but I did some work with the 150 and 165 g GMX in my 30-06 this past week. I did not notice any decrease in copper deposits. Neither did I observe any increase. What I did find interesting was that in speaking with a ballistician at Hornady is that they do not recommend seating them as far off the lands as is recommended by either Barnes or Nosler. Velocities were good and accuracy was good. Perhaps I'll have opportunity to see some results from the field this Fall.

 

[Greg Nolan]

Thanks DrMike
They sound theoretically better than the e-tip or the ttsx but the proof is in the using and I don't get that many shots at legal big game here to waste one on theory.
Greg

 

[DrMike]

Greg,

I don't know that they are better, or even that different. It will be hard for them to do any better job on a moose than the 130 grain E-Tip I used this past fall.

 

[Greg Nolan]

DrMike
I have a couple of boxs of e-tips but havn't tried working up loads yet.I'm sure they are excellent from what you've experienced. I know I'll have to go to them and sell out all my lead bullets someday but I'm dragging my feet.
The one thing that sounds real good would be to use e-tips of a lighter weight for a little more velocity without worrying about the bullet performance. Antelope this fall for instance.
Just out of curiosity, what sparked you to try un-leaded bullets. Are they talking of a lead bullet ban in your future?
Thanks for your insight.
Greg

 

[DrMike]

I see the banning of lead sinkers and the mandating of non-lead shot for waterfowling as a dark harbinger of a transformed sporting world. There are other, smaller portents that indicate that politicians unfamiliar with the real world will impose lead bans on all shooters. Fortunately, bullet manufacturers have seen the same signs and met the challenge by creating better products that perform exceptionally.

I began using monolithic bullets years ago, in part due to scientific curiosity. The performance of these bullets, in particular the TSX on moose, elk, black bear and mule deer, was more than acceptable. When Nosler announced the E-Tip, I knew I would have to test them out.

I have been encouraged by my use of monolithic bullets primarily because of the increased penetration and the accuracy observed with them. I have never lost an animal when using monolithic bullets. From large to small game, the bullets performed very well indeed.

The ability to get away with a lighter bullet weight is a bonus, though I view it as a secondary issue for my part. I'm "old school," and so I like heavy for calibre as a general rule. Monolithic bullets obviate that necessity, but they can't fully erase my years of ingrained obstinacy.

For what it is worth, the E-Tips are every bit as accurate as the TSX have been for me, and my first use of the GMX promises the same degree of accuracy. I have steered an increasing number of hand loaders to the E-Tip here in BC. There is some resistance because Barnes is so well established in that particular market. However, when I point out a few of my targets and experiences, and as the bullets become more generally available, sales are picking up.

 

[Greg Nolan]

DrMike

Based on your scientific lead into the world on monolithic I'll be working up a load for the 7MM RUM.
Thanks for sharing your knowlege. You should submit a few articles to some of the shooting/hunting magazines. Your knowlege and ability to communicate is exceptional.
Greg

 

[DrMike]

Thank you for your kind words, Greg. I believe you will find the performance of the E-Tip to justify the effort to make it shoot well. Should you choose one of the other monolithic bullets, I doubt that you will be disappointed. A well-placed bullet at reasonable velocity will cleanly kill game, and the monolithic bullets simply permit new options that make the hunt enjoyable.

 

[Greg Nolan]

I just ordered 3 boxes of the 257 100gr. e-tips.
Yesterday I sighted in out to 500 yds and the Wby was holding at 5" which is sufficient for me for hunting. If the e-tips do as well and shoot a little faster than the 110gr. A/Bs they may be antelope medicine this year.

 

[FOTIS]

How where the pressures as opposed to the e-tips?

 

[DrMike]

POP,

I could discern no difference between the E-Tips shot in my 270 WSM and the GMX shot in my 30-06. I opted not to fire a full-throttle load in the 270 WSM, primarily because accuracy was best about 1.5 grains below what I calculated to be max. On the other hand, the GMX loads were walked up to the maximum charge. Again, I observe no overt signs of pressure. FWIW, I have E-Tip and GMX loads ready to go for my 300 WSM on my next range trip. I can give a more accurate account of differentials at that time, which I will do.

 

[SJB358]

That 200gr .338 Etip should be a awesome big game bullet. I bet it probably acts like a 250 in penetration. I have gone back and forth a little with the all copper bullets, and did alot of my early hunting with the 160gr X bullet in my 7mm Rem Mag. It never let me down. It was a little difficult to shoot well, but it did shoot decently for me. Scotty

 

[jmad_81]

I have played with the 200 ET out of my 338 WM. They shot just under an inch. This seems to be about par with everything else I shoot out of it. Not as good as I like to see but will work for hunting.

Took a buck with them last fall at about 100 yards. Double lunged him and he ran about sixty yards. Not alot of meat damage, and a 3/4" exit wound.

I have tried the TSX and the TTSX 225 out of my 338 as well. Havn't gotten around to the GMX yet. Looks like a good bullet. I'm very interested to see what Dr. Mike finds when comparing them to the ET in the same caliber. I'm wondering how the grooves will effect the psi.

 

[nomosendero]

"overkill still ends up in the freezer" I like that!!!

 

[SJB358]

Jake, what kinda of speed were you able to get out of the 200's. Seems like they would be a very useful bullet for alot of game. Everyone of the recovered bullets I have seen on here has looked really good and looked darn near 99-100 weight retained. Scotty

 

[jmad_81]

I think I was getting between 2950 and 3000. I'll have to go back and look. Didn't get to in depth with them yet. Shot a few into the dirt at 200 and they look really impressive, and weighed 199 gr.

 

[SJB358]

Sounds like a sure killer for sure. Be cool to see some game smacked down with the 338 Etips. Of all the advertised mushrooms, I think the ETip has the best looking one that would cause the most amount of shock. Not sure though, as they are all pretty good bullets. Scotty

 

[bobbyrum]

Greg I also shoot a 7mm RUM with 160 Nosler AB. I'd be interested in finding out what your results are with the E-tips in your RUM. :grin:

 

[jmad_81]

Here are a few of the 200gr. 338 ET. and a 130gr. 270wsm ET. All shot into dirt at 200 yards.All lost 2 grains of weight.

 

[Greg Nolan]

bobbyrum
I wil do.
Boy those e-tips expand nicely.