Quick look 168 A-max vs 168 ELDM

[swampratt]

I got to comparing the 2 bullets side by side and they are exactly the same length.
I only checked 1 of each I randomly pulled from boxes.

The A-Max has more bearing surface by .040" and a shorter boat tail and the end of the boat tail is fatter on the A-Max by a bit over .010".

When I seated the bullets in a loose case they both seated with same force and the A-Max seated 12 thousandths longer and
had more bearing surface exposed than the ELDM Not moving the seating die of course.

I took a .223, .243 and 6.5 case and placed them over the tip of the bullets and turned them to scribe lines in the bullet.
The lines look to be evenly spaced between the 2 bullets and at the same spots.

The A-Max seating longer would tell me that the bullet is thinner/pointier by a bit from the place where the seating stem contacts
the bullet to the very tip of the bullet.

I have not had a chance to load any of these ELDM bullets and put them on paper yet.
A-Max on the right

 

[diggler1833]

Pretty cool. I missed the chance at picking up a boatload of the 168gr A-Max for $36/100 or whatever it was when a few places were closing them out. Still have and use the 178gr in .30-06.

 

[swampratt]

I have used the 178 a few times and it will drop a deer like no other.
I made the mistake of shooting one in the shoulder with the 178 A-Max and both shoulders were taken out.

 

[chazroh]

I believe they still make the 168gr amax

 

[PBramble]

I believe they still make the 168gr amax

They do, but it's a different bullet. The new ones need tuning if you use the old recipe.

 

[Moparman485]

Not that it is as scientific as your comparison, but I have been gel testing tons of rounds lately. Recently I compared the 123 amax versus the 123 eld-m versus the 123 SST. This was in the 6.5 creedmoor and all other factors are the same (charge, brass, primer, etc) Here are the results.

123SST

 

[Moparman485]

123 ELD-M

 

[Moparman485]

123 Amax

 

[diggler1833]

^ Good stuff @Moparman485 .

 

[swampratt]

That is awesome @Moparman485
I had to wait until I bow shot a deer and cut it's head off at the shoulders and do penetration tests with the 55Gr. V-max.

I bet gel block would be easier to score.