Unlock Unprecedented Precision: Hornady 26176 ELD Match 6.5mm .264 123 gr Bullets

For the dedicated long-range shooter, the competitive marksman, and the meticulous handloader, every single component of a cartridge matters. When it comes to achieving sub-MOA groups at extended distances, battling elusive wind, and pushing the boundaries of ballistic performance, the bullet itself is paramount. This is where the Hornady 26176 ELD Match 6.5mm .264 123 grain Extremely Low Drag Match bullets emerge as a definitive solution, engineered specifically to address the most demanding challenges faced in precision shooting.

Are you a competitive shooter aiming for the top of the leaderboard in Precision Rifle Series (PRS), National Rifle League (NRL), F-Class, or benchrest competitions? Are you struggling with inconsistent ballistic coefficients that lead to unpredictable trajectories and frustrating misses at 600, 800, or even 1000 yards and beyond? Do you seek the absolute pinnacle of bullet-to-bullet and lot-to-lot consistency to ensure your meticulously crafted handloads perform identically every single time? The Hornady ELD Match 123 gr bullet, available now at DEGuns, is designed precisely for you, offering a technologically advanced edge that translates directly into tighter groups and more successful shots.

The Science of Superior Ballistics: Heat Shield Tip Technology

At the heart of the Hornady ELD Match bullet's extraordinary performance lies its groundbreaking Heat Shield Tip. Traditional polymer tips, while offering aerodynamic advantages over open-tip designs, can suffer from aerodynamic heating during flight. This phenomenon causes the tip to deform, subtly changing its shape (known as the meplat) and, consequently, altering the bullet's ballistic coefficient (BC). Even a minute change can have a significant impact on trajectory and wind drift at long ranges, leading to frustrating variations in point of impact.

Hornady engineers confronted this challenge head-on, developing the patented Heat Shield Tip from a proprietary polymer that is immune to the effects of aerodynamic heating. This innovative material ensures that the tip maintains its perfect, precisely engineered meplat throughout the entire flight path, from the muzzle to the target. What does this mean for the shooter? It means an unwavering, consistent ballistic coefficient, shot after shot, box after box, and lot after lot. This unprecedented stability is a game-changer for anyone who relies on ballistic calculators and consistent bullet performance for extreme long-range accuracy.

Optimized Aerodynamic Design: Secant Ogive and Boattail

Beyond the revolutionary Heat Shield Tip, the Hornady ELD Match 123 gr bullet incorporates an optimum secant ogive and a meticulously designed boattail. These features are not just aesthetic; they are critical components of the bullet's aerodynamic efficiency and its ability to achieve the highest possible ballistic coefficient in its class.

• Secant Ogive: Unlike tangent ogives that have a single, constant radius, a secant ogive transitions more smoothly from the bearing surface (the part of the bullet that rides in the rifling) to the nose. This design is inherently more aerodynamic, reducing drag and allowing the bullet to maintain velocity more effectively downrange. For shooters, this translates to flatter trajectories, less bullet drop, and greater energy on target.
• Boattail Design: The tapered base of the boattail further reduces drag, especially at higher velocities. It helps the airflow reattach smoothly to the bullet's base as it leaves the barrel, minimizing turbulence and base drag. Combined with the secant ogive and Heat Shield Tip, this creates a truly "extremely low drag" profile that excels in battling wind and maintaining stability, even through transitional and subsonic flight.

The synergistic effect of these design elements culminates in a bullet that cuts through the air with minimal resistance, delivering predictability that competitive shooters can bank on. The specified G1 Ballistic Coefficient of .506 is a testament to this superior design, indicating exceptional efficiency. For those utilizing more advanced ballistic models, a G7 BC of approximately .254 further highlights its streamlined profile for long-range engagements.

Uncompromising Consistency: The AMP Jacket

Consistency isn't just about the tip; it's about the entire bullet. Hornady ELD Match bullets feature the advanced AMP (Advanced Manufacturing Process) bullet jacket. This jacket is formed with virtually zero runout and near-perfect concentricity, ensuring uniform wall thickness and weight distribution around the bullet's core.

Why is this crucial? Any imperfections in the jacket's thickness or concentricity can cause the bullet to yaw or wobble slightly in flight, degrading accuracy and consistency. The AMP jacket minimizes these variables, providing a perfectly balanced bullet that spins true and flies straight. This meticulous manufacturing process contributes significantly to the "extreme consistency from bullet to bullet, lot to lot" that Hornady promises and delivers, providing an unparalleled level of confidence to reloaders and shooters. When developing a precision load, knowing that your bullets are virtually identical in construction eliminates one of the most significant variables, allowing you to focus on powder charge, primer selection, and seating depth to find your rifle's true potential.

Who Benefits Most from Hornady ELD Match 6.5mm 123 gr?

These bullets are purpose-built for the shooter who demands nothing short of perfection.

• Competitive Long-Range Shooters: If you compete in disciplines like PRS, NRL, or F-Class, where fractions of an inch can determine victory, the consistent BC, reduced wind drift, and pinpoint accuracy of the ELD Match are indispensable. They provide the confidence needed to make those critical shots under pressure.
• Precision Handloaders: For those who meticulously craft their own ammunition, the consistent dimensions and superior construction of ELD Match bullets reduce the variables in load development, allowing for faster identification of optimal powder charges and seating depths that produce the tightest groups.
• Enthusiasts Pushing Limits: If you enjoy challenging yourself with extreme long-range shooting, whether in a formal competition or informal target practice, these bullets will help you achieve distances and group sizes you previously thought impossible.
• Specialized Hunting Applications: While primarily a match bullet, the inherent precision and predictable trajectory of the ELD Match can be utilized by experienced hunters in specific, ethical scenarios where extreme long-range shot placement on game is critical and appropriate for the projectile. Always check local hunting regulations and ensure the bullet is suitable for the intended game and range.

Achieving Optimal Performance: Reloading with ELD Match Bullets

To truly harness the power of the Hornady ELD Match 6.5mm 123 gr bullets, careful reloading practices are essential. These bullets are designed for precision, and pairing them with high-quality components and thoughtful load development will unlock their full potential.

1. Select Premium Brass: Start with consistent, high-quality brass. Annealing and neck sizing can further enhance consistency.
2. Choose Appropriate Powder: Experiment with different slow-burning rifle powders known for good performance in the 6.5mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel, or other 6.5mm cartridges. Temperature stability is also a key consideration for competitive shooting.
3. Primer Selection: Match-grade primers are highly recommended for their consistent ignition and low standard deviation.
4. Seating Depth Optimization: This is often the most critical step for maximizing accuracy with a specific rifle. Begin by seating the bullet to the cartridge overall length (COAL) recommended by Hornady or your reloading manual, ensuring it fits your magazine if applicable. Then, carefully experiment with seating the bullet slightly off the lands (e.g., .010", .020", .030" increments) to find the "sweet spot" where your rifle prefers to shoot these bullets. A precise meplat and consistent ogive on the ELD Match bullets make this process more reliable.
5. Attention to Detail: Weighing powder charges precisely, trimming brass to uniform length, and ensuring consistent neck tension will all contribute to creating ammunition that fully leverages the ELD Match bullet's inherent accuracy.

By meticulously crafting your ammunition with these steps, you can expect to see the Hornady ELD Match 123 gr bullets deliver unparalleled consistency and precision, shot after shot.

Why Hornady? A Legacy of Innovation

Hornady Manufacturing Company has long been recognized as a leader in bullet and ammunition innovation. Their commitment to research, development, and stringent quality control has earned them the trust of competitive shooters, hunters, and law enforcement worldwide. The ELD Match line is a shining example of this dedication, representing years of scientific advancement and real-world testing. When you choose Hornady, you're not just buying a bullet; you're investing in a legacy of precision and performance, backed by a company that understands the needs of serious shooters.

These Hornady 26176 ELD Match bullets are an investment in superior performance, offering the technological edge required to excel in the most challenging shooting scenarios. For the shooter demanding nothing less than the best, these 6.5mm .264 123 gr projectiles are a clear choice.

Find your supply of Hornady 26176 ELD Match 6.5mm .264 123 gr bullets, along with a comprehensive selection of reloading components and firearms accessories, exclusively at DEGuns and deguns.com. Elevate your long-range shooting capabilities today.

Product Specifications & Key Details

These Hornady ELD Match 6.5mm 123 gr bullets (UPC: 090255261769, MPN: 26176) are designed for peak performance and consistency.

Feature	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	ELD Match
Caliber	6.5mm
Bullet Diameter	.264
Weight	123 gr
Bullet Type	Extremely Low Drag-Match
Bullet Tip Material	Polymer (Heat Shield Tip)
Bullet Coating	Copper
Core Material	Lead
Jacket Material	AMP (Advanced Manufacturing Process)
Coefficient (G1)	.506
Sectional Density	.252
Cannelure	No
Application	Match / Target
Rounds Per Box	100
Boxes Per Case	25
SKU	23103
UPC	090255261769
MPN	26176