Thread: 6.5 123gn amax vs 123eldm vs 123sst

Tryed a few of the old 123 amax in the creedmoor today the discontinued one
Just had a few lying arround and I wanted to get a fireing on some new brass
But they shot well very well infact a 3 shot group of 0.25” and 3 other 3 shot groups 0.3” or just over


Wondering how people have gone with the 123eldm and sst as I think its worth more of a play
How does the eldm preform for hunting anyone got any Experience with them on game
Cheers

In 6.5mm I’d definitely try to get the 140gr+ ELD-X and -M working. Take a look at the ballistics is what I’d do, use the Hornady 4DOF calculator on their website, there’s quite a difference between the 123gr and say 143gr ELD-X.

The 123gr weight class is ok but the 140gr+ weight class will be better for the 300m+ stuff.

Originally Posted by rambo-6mmrem

Tryed a few of the old 123 amax in the creedmoor today the discontinued one
Just had a few lying arround and I wanted to get a fireing on some new brass
But they shot well very well infact a 3 shot group of 0.25” and 3 other 3 shot groups 0.3” or just over
Attachment 99753

Wondering how people have gone with the 123eldm and sst as I think its worth more of a play
How does the eldm preform for hunting anyone got any Experience with them on game
Cheers

I have plenty of 123 Amaxes here if you are after some

Originally Posted by Flyblown

In 6.5mm I’d definitely try to get the 140gr+ ELD-X and -M working. Take a look at the ballistics is what I’d do, use the Hornady 4DOF calculator on their website, there’s quite a difference between the 123gr and say 143gr ELD-X.

The 123gr weight class is ok but the 140gr+ weight class will be better for the 300m+ stuff.

Yep that’s the plan i Realise the140+ bullets are far better ballistics but may aswell have a bit more of a play with the 123-130 aswell

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

I have plenty of 123 Amaxes here if you are after some

Cheers for the offer greg but I think getting really stuck into a discontinued bullet is not a good idea as the supply’s will dry up
Then you are stuck
Keen to have a quick play with 123eldm and 130 edlm if you happen to have 15-20 of each lying about

Pretty sure the 123gr SST were designed for use in the Grendel, proper expansion at modest velocity. The Amax & ELDM could be a bit fragile at close range higher velocities, especially on big bodied animals.

Originally Posted by Mathias

Pretty sure the 123gr SST were designed for use in the Grendel, proper expansion at modest velocity. The Amax & ELDM could be a bit fragile at close range higher velocities, especially on big bodied animals.

Exactly my worries mate I have a Grendel aswell and yep from my research they are designed as Grendel bullets
Which means 2600-2700mv not just over 3k (my load would be slower)

In my TCU the 123ELD-Ms are about on par with Amax and accuracy with the SSTs are slightly less but only very slightly.

Over 700-800m Laupua 123gn's are much better, the Hornadys seem for some reason to become erratic and un-predictable mind you the TCU is not driving them very fast to begin with.

Ive just tried some 120 match kings i think thats what they are as i was using the 123amax as well but as usual hornady discontinues it so i stay away from hornady now and stick with sierra the 120 mk shoots real good

You still want those eldx? I have 80x 140gr eldm potentially up for sale shortly as well

The 123gr ELD-M at Grendel speeds performs really well. Dropped this spiker at 200m on Friday and here's the exit.

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The 123 Amax shoot sub 1/2 in mine and is excellent on Wallaby's, as Mathias has said though I'd be hesitant to shoot at a bigger bodied animal with that bullet.

Originally Posted by EK9132

The 123gr ELD-M at Grendel speeds performs really well. Dropped this spiker at 200m on Friday and here's the exit.

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That’s pretty mint performance
Nice shot to by the way

I see Hornady have both a 120gr and a 123gr ELD-M now. Is that right ?
Does anyone know what the difference is ?

I wasn't very impressed with the knockdown power of the factory 123gr SST from my 16" Grendel and 120gr Nosler baliistic tip also doesn't open up very well. I think it has enough ft.lb but velocity is only 1800fps at 200 yd so I need a bullet that fragments well at that speed.

Neck shots that hit bone make any bullet look good. Its those "between the ribs" shots on small goats where I've been embarrassed. Good shot on that spiker at 200m by the way.

Factory stuff is pretty slow I only shot one packet of 123 amax factory when i 1st got the howa mini
I recall they were only doing arround 2600 from a 24
From all forum reports on 6.5grendel.com say 2750 is doable from a 20inch in from a 24 that would probably give arround 2800ish

I only shoot 95-100gn in my Grendel so don’t have to much info on it