Author Topic: Hornady FlexTip  (Read 1295 times)

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Offline AndyHass

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Hornady FlexTip
« on: February 14, 2009, 01:41:39 PM »
If you're after a new flat-shooting bullet, try the Hornady FTX (flex-tip) bullets, previously only available in LeverRevolution ammo but now sold in bulk (when you can find them in stock).  I just tested the 325gr .458 bullet, I was able to push it hard (1900fps with 130gr 777) to duplicate the trajectory of a 200SW at 2040fps (110gr 777) but with twice the energy and a little over half the wind drift.

I have the 265gr .430 version also, but have not tested yet.

Offline DennyRoark

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Re: Hornady FlexTip
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2009, 03:58:45 AM »
I see they have a 200gr/451 bullet as well.  Would like to see more about it before I go buy a whole box.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Hornady FlexTip
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2009, 06:34:22 AM »
The 200gr FTX is .452", they also have a .452" 250gr FTX.  ;)

Tim

http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=789
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Offline Busta

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Re: Hornady FlexTip
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2009, 10:36:34 AM »
Thanks for your report Andy, I wil be looking forward to your .430 cal 265 gr FTX report. I will be getting some of those as well.

They also have a .358" cal 200 grain. Wonder what the FPS high and low limits are to open up that one? Has anyone tried to match that up with a MMP .355"-.357"/.45 cal sabot? It has a .300 BC. ;) Probably too long to stabilize well in a 1:28 to 1:30 twist, but might in a 1:20 twist, if the sabot petals would be long enough and hold up to the pressure. If that would shoot with 100 to 120 grains of Blackhorn 209 out of a Knight or T/C, look out!

Or am I just dreaming? What do you guys think?

I just hate to buy a box of 100, only to find out it won't work. Wish I knew someone that bought a box for their center fire, that I could buy about 10 or 20 from.

http://www.hornady.com/images/sell_sheets/09-ftx_component_bullets%20.pdf

http://www.mmpsabots.com/blue.html

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Offline Lane

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Re: Hornady FlexTip
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2009, 02:18:51 PM »
Thanks for your report Andy, I wil be looking forward to your .430 cal 265 gr FTX report. I will be getting some of those as well.

They also have a .358" cal 200 grain. Wonder what the FPS high and low limits are to open up that one? Has anyone tried to match that up with a MMP .355"-.357"/.45 cal sabot? It has a .300 BC. ;) Probably too long to stabilize well in a 1:28 to 1:30 twist, but might in a 1:20 twist, if the sabot petals would be long enough and hold up to the pressure. If that would shoot with 100 to 120 grains of Blackhorn 209 out of a Knight or T/C, look out!

Or am I just dreaming? What do you guys think?

I just hate to buy a box of 100, only to find out it won't work. Wish I knew someone that bought a box for their center fire, that I could buy about 10 or 20 from.

http://www.hornady.com/images/sell_sheets/09-ftx_component_bullets%20.pdf

http://www.mmpsabots.com/blue.html



Nope doesn't stabilize out of 1:30, but 1:20 would probably work perfectly ;)

Offline AndyHass

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Re: Hornady FlexTip
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2009, 02:00:27 PM »
Don't count the 200gr .358 bullet out before you try it, remember Precision Rifle sells one.  I don't own a .45, but I have tried the duplex saboted version in two different .50s.  It did not shoot well in my Omega (no keyholes, just big groups) however in the old Traditions 1:28" inline I had it shot 1-inch 100 yard groups.

Every barrel is different.  All you can do is try it.  I'd try it and load it hot.

It'll be awhile before I get the 265s tested, I'm too busy to shoot for a couple weeks at least.

Modified to add --- I've been a fan of the 200SW for years (since it came out??) although its light weight starts to become an issue at the furthest ranges I shoot.  The 325gr matches it in drop, with twice the energy and less wind drift.  If the 265 is accurate at max powder charge as well, I'll have a decision to make.  It is supposed to have a SLIGHTLY higher BC than the 325, and will be moving faster, so once I have the numbers I'll have to check wind drift.  Drop is easy to calculate, it's wind which screws with longer shots more.  It'll come down to determining the best compromise between drift and energy I think, I don't see either bullet winning all the cards.

The problem with Dead Centers has always been their lack of a jacket -- they are a great shape but when you're limited in the power you can put behind them, they start to lose their advantages.

Offline DennyRoark

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Re: Hornady FlexTip
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2009, 05:46:42 AM »
Quote
The 200gr FTX is .452", they also have a .452" 250gr FTX. 

Tim

http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=789

Oooops on the .452   Hornady is coming out with a lot of new rifle/pistol bullet types and sizes this year.
Denny Roark
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The Second Amendment...the one that makes all the others possible
I have no problems with vegetarians...I eat them regularly-Ted Nugent
"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." -Thomas Jefferson

Offline Lane

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Re: Hornady FlexTip
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2009, 07:27:14 AM »
Don't count the 200gr .358 bullet out before you try it, remember Precision Rifle sells one.  I don't own a .45, but I have tried the duplex saboted version in two different .50s.  It did not shoot well in my Omega (no keyholes, just big groups) however in the old Traditions 1:28" inline I had it shot 1-inch 100 yard groups.

The problem with Dead Centers has always been their lack of a jacket -- they are a great shape but when you're limited in the power you can put behind them, they start to lose their advantages.

Andy

The DeadCenter's are short all lead, the jacketed or all copper 200g 357/358's are LONGER.  It's not the weight, It's the length of the jacketed bullet that precludes it from being stabilized by a 1:28-30 bore.  the 1:16-20 will stabilize the longer bullets well. :)

I have tried 200g jacketed 357/358's in my 45cal Disc Elite with all manner of powder charges and 3 different sabots...No Go :P

But the Prbullet 195 deadcenters shoot just fine...sub MOA ;)

Offline AndyHass

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Re: Hornady FlexTip
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2009, 10:28:10 AM »
Don't count the 200gr .358 bullet out before you try it, remember Precision Rifle sells one.  I don't own a .45, but I have tried the duplex saboted version in two different .50s.  It did not shoot well in my Omega (no keyholes, just big groups) however in the old Traditions 1:28" inline I had it shot 1-inch 100 yard groups.

The problem with Dead Centers has always been their lack of a jacket -- they are a great shape but when you're limited in the power you can put behind them, they start to lose their advantages.

Andy

The DeadCenter's are short all lead, the jacketed or all copper 200g 357/358's are LONGER.  It's not the weight, It's the length of the jacketed bullet that precludes it from being stabilized by a 1:28-30 bore.  the 1:16-20 will stabilize the longer bullets well. :)

I have tried 200g jacketed 357/358's in my 45cal Disc Elite with all manner of powder charges and 3 different sabots...No Go :P

But the Prbullet 195 deadcenters shoot just fine...sub MOA ;)

I am sure they are a bit longer...the question is how much and in what gun are you shooting them.  I've seen such incredible variability in what will and will not shoot in certain guns, that I feel it's always worth a try.

For example, several companies made 1:20 .45s for a year or two and most were very picky and did not shoot fast loads well.  However I'm told that 1:20 Whites shoot those same charges just fine.  Why?  I don't know.  That's why I always am open to testing in the real world to find out...not sure I want to but a full box of 50 to try though!