Just shot some Hornady 123SST custom and 123ELDm Black factory ammo yesterday. 68* F, overcast with mild switching wind.6-8 mph.
These loads shot out of a 20" AR platform with 1:8 twist. From bench with front rest and rear bag.
The SST Custom load chronoed 2578 fps with ES of 5 fps! I was impressed with the velocity and the ES, but groups were disappointing, not consistent. Some were Very large.
The ELDm Black groups were very consistent and gave 2529 fps with ES of 14 fps.
Then shot both out of another identical upper with better group results. It appears that one barrel likes the ammo, and the other is more picky. The barrel that shot both well has near 600 rounds through it, the other only 160 so maybe the "newer" barrel needs more shooting.
I'm sure there is some lot to lot variation with these loads, but it sure appears that I'm going to use the Black factory load this deer season.
These loads shot out of a 20" AR platform with 1:8 twist. From bench with front rest and rear bag.
The SST Custom load chronoed 2578 fps with ES of 5 fps! I was impressed with the velocity and the ES, but groups were disappointing, not consistent. Some were Very large.
The ELDm Black groups were very consistent and gave 2529 fps with ES of 14 fps.
Then shot both out of another identical upper with better group results. It appears that one barrel likes the ammo, and the other is more picky. The barrel that shot both well has near 600 rounds through it, the other only 160 so maybe the "newer" barrel needs more shooting.
I'm sure there is some lot to lot variation with these loads, but it sure appears that I'm going to use the Black factory load this deer season.