Hornady 2812 FTX 7mm .284 120 gr Flex Tip eXpanding Bullets: Unleash Precision and Power for Your Hunting Reloads

For the dedicated reloader and discerning hunter, the quest for the ideal bullet to achieve superior terminal performance and unparalleled accuracy is a perpetual one. When it comes to 7mm cartridges, finding a projectile that combines aerodynamic efficiency with reliable, devastating expansion at a wide range of velocities is paramount. This is precisely where the Hornady 2812 FTX 7mm .284 120 grain Flex Tip eXpanding bullet package, containing 100 premium components, emerges as a top-tier solution.

Hornady, a name synonymous with innovation and quality in the ammunition world, has engineered these bullets to excel in a variety of hunting scenarios, particularly for medium-sized game. But what exactly makes the 120-grain FTX a standout choice for your reloading bench? Let's dive deep into the design, performance characteristics, and real-world advantages of this exceptional bullet.

What Problems Do Hornady FTX Bullets Solve for Hunters and Reloaders?

Hunters often face challenges like inconsistent bullet expansion, poor energy transfer, or insufficient penetration, leading to tracking wounded game. Reloaders, on the other hand, seek components that offer supreme accuracy, consistency from batch to batch, and reliable terminal performance that translates into clean, ethical harvests. The Hornady 2812 FTX bullet directly addresses these critical concerns:

• Inconsistent Expansion: Traditional lead-tip bullets can deform in the magazine or fail to expand reliably upon impact, especially at varying ranges. The patented Flex Tip technology ensures consistent, rapid, and controlled expansion across a broad spectrum of impact velocities.
• Poor Ballistic Performance: Achieving flat trajectories and minimizing wind drift is crucial for precision hunting shots. The aerodynamic Flex Tip and secant ogive design of the FTX bullet contribute to an excellent ballistic coefficient, meaning it retains velocity and resists wind drift more effectively.
• Magazine Compatibility Issues: Some pointed bullets can cause feeding issues in tubular magazines or can have their tips deformed under recoil. The flexible polymer tip of the FTX bullet eliminates this problem, making it suitable for a wider array of firearm designs without compromising performance.
• Ethical Harvesting: The goal of any hunter is a quick, humane kill. The FTX bullet's design promotes deep penetration followed by rapid, wide expansion, creating a devastating wound channel that quickly incapacitates game.
• Reloading Consistency: For reloaders, knowing that each bullet in a box of 100 will perform identically to the last is vital for developing accurate, reliable loads. Hornady's stringent quality control ensures this consistency.

Who Benefits Most from Hornady 2812 FTX 7mm .284 120 gr Bullets?

These bullets are ideal for a specific demographic of shooting enthusiasts and hunters who prioritize performance and precision:

• Deer Hunters: The 120-grain weight is exceptionally well-suited for various deer species across North America and beyond. Whether you're hunting whitetail, mule deer, or similar-sized game, the FTX offers the perfect balance of velocity, energy, and controlled expansion.
• Reloaders of 7mm Cartridges: If you handload cartridges such as the 7mm-08 Remington, .280 Remington, .284 Winchester, or even lighter 7mm Remington Magnum loads, these bullets are a prime component. They offer flexibility in load development for optimal performance in your specific rifle.
• Hunters Seeking Reliable Terminal Performance: For those who demand rapid and effective energy transfer to game, the Flex Tip eXpanding design delivers every time, reducing tracking distances and ensuring humane kills.
• Precision Shooters: While primarily a hunting bullet, the inherent accuracy of Hornady bullets means that reloaders can develop incredibly precise hunting loads, pushing the boundaries of their rifle's capabilities.
• Hunters Using Rifles with Tubular Magazines: Although less common in 7mm, if you happen to have a lever-action rifle chambered in a wildcat 7mm cartridge or similar, the Flex Tip is a game-changer for safety and reliability.

Unpacking the Technology: The Flex Tip eXpanding Advantage

The heart of the Hornady FTX bullet's superior performance lies in its patented Flex Tip technology. Unlike traditional pointed soft-point bullets that can suffer from tip deformation or inconsistent expansion, the polymer Flex Tip offers several distinct advantages:

• Enhanced Ballistic Coefficient (BC): The sharp, aerodynamic profile of the polymer tip drastically improves the bullet's BC. This means less drag, flatter trajectories, and better energy retention downrange. For a hunter, this translates to easier ranging and more forgiving holdovers at longer distances.
• Initiation of Expansion: Upon impact, the flexible tip is driven into the bullet's core, initiating immediate and rapid expansion. This design ensures that the bullet expands reliably, even at lower impact velocities encountered at extended ranges, or when striking softer tissue. This is a critical factor for consistent terminal performance.
• Safety in Tubular Magazines: For cartridges where a tubular magazine might be used (though less common with the 7mm-.284, it's a core design feature for other FTX bullets), the soft polymer tip eliminates the risk of accidental primer ignition often associated with pointed metal-tipped bullets.
• Protection of the Core: The tip also protects the lead core from deformation during handling and and feeding, preserving the bullet's aerodynamic integrity and ensuring consistent accuracy shot after shot.

Beyond the tip, the 120-grain FTX bullet features a high-quality lead core securely encased in a copper jacket. This jacket is designed to control expansion and ensure sufficient penetration before the mushrooming effect transfers maximum energy. The interlock ring, a signature Hornady feature, mechanically locks the core and jacket together, preventing separation during expansion and ensuring high weight retention. This combination of controlled expansion and high weight retention is crucial for deep penetration and a reliable exit wound, which aids in blood trailing.

Maximizing Performance with the 7mm .284 120 gr FTX

The 7mm caliber, with its excellent balance of velocity, trajectory, and recoil, is a favorite among hunters worldwide. The .284-inch diameter 120-grain FTX bullet is particularly versatile within this family of cartridges.

Ideal Cartridge Pairings:

• 7mm-08 Remington: This popular cartridge benefits immensely from the 120-grain FTX. It allows for high velocities with moderate recoil, making it an excellent choice for deer and similar game. The FTX ensures reliable expansion even from the 7mm-08's typically shorter barrel lengths and moderate velocities.
• .280 Remington: Stepping up in case capacity, the .280 Remington can push the 120-grain FTX to impressive speeds, extending its effective range for ethical deer hunting while maintaining a flat trajectory.
• .284 Winchester: A less common but highly efficient cartridge, the .284 Winchester also pairs exceptionally well with the 120-grain FTX, offering superb accuracy and a balanced approach to deer-sized game.
• Reduced Loads for 7mm Remington Magnum or 7mm WSM: While the 7mm Remington Magnum and 7mm WSM typically utilize heavier bullets, a reloader seeking a fast, light-recoiling load for smaller deer or varmints could certainly achieve excellent results with the 120-grain FTX, especially for shorter-range applications where over-penetration is a concern.

Ballistic Data (Approximate values for common 7mm cartridges with 120 gr bullet):

Measurement	Value
Ballistic Coefficient	G1 .370 - .380
Sectional Density	.213

Note: Actual BC and SD can vary slightly based on specific manufacturing runs and testing conditions. These values are excellent for a bullet of this weight and design, indicating a good balance of aerodynamics and penetrating potential.

When reloading with these bullets, attention to detail is key. Consult reliable reloading manuals for starting and maximum powder charges, primer choices, and overall cartridge length (OAL) recommendations. The flexible tip allows for slightly more forgiving OAL variations in some rifles, but always prioritize safety and accuracy. Developing a custom load that matches your rifle's harmonics will unlock the full accuracy potential of the Hornady FTX bullet.

Trusting Your Shot: The Hornady Legacy and DEGuns Availability

Choosing Hornady means choosing a brand with a long-standing reputation for innovation, quality, and performance. Every Hornady 2812 FTX 7mm .284 120 gr Flex Tip eXpanding bullet is a testament to their commitment to excellence, undergoing rigorous testing to ensure consistency and reliability. Hunters who rely on Hornady bullets report exceptional accuracy, predictable expansion, and quick, humane harvests, building confidence in every shot they take. The trust built over decades of delivering superior ammunition components makes Hornady a natural recommendation for serious reloaders and hunters.

These premium Hornady 2812 FTX 7mm .284 120 gr Flex Tip eXpanding bullets, supplied in a convenient box of 100 for your reloading needs, are readily available at DEGuns. Stocking your reloading bench with these high-performance components from DEGuns ensures you're prepared for the upcoming hunting season or your next range session, confident in the consistent accuracy and terminal performance of your handloads.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hornady FTX Bullets

Q: What makes the Flex Tip different from traditional soft-point bullets?

A: The key difference is the flexible polymer tip. Unlike lead tips that can deform or fail to initiate expansion consistently, the polymer tip is driven into the bullet core upon impact, initiating rapid and reliable expansion even at lower velocities. It also improves ballistic coefficient and protects the meplat from damage.

Q: Are these bullets suitable for hunting larger game like elk or moose?

A: While the 120-grain FTX offers excellent performance on medium game like deer, pronghorn, and even some black bear, it is generally considered a bit light for larger, tougher game such as elk or moose. For those animals, heavier 7mm bullets designed for deep penetration (like Hornady InterBond, ELD-X, or GMX) are often recommended to ensure adequate penetration and energy transfer through thick hide and bone.

Q: Can these bullets be used in a tubular magazine?

A: Yes, the flexible polymer tip was specifically designed to be safe for use in tubular magazines, eliminating the risk of accidental primer ignition sometimes associated with traditional pointed bullets in such systems. However, 7mm cartridges are rarely chambered in traditional lever-action rifles with tubular magazines.

Q: How does the 120-grain FTX compare to heavier 7mm bullets?

A: The 120-grain FTX typically offers higher muzzle velocities and a flatter trajectory at common hunting ranges compared to heavier 7mm bullets (e.g., 150-175 grains). While heavier bullets often provide greater sectional density for deeper penetration on very large game, the 120-grain FTX strikes an excellent balance for medium game, ensuring rapid expansion and significant energy transfer without excessive over-penetration.

Q: What kind of accuracy can I expect with Hornady FTX bullets?

A: Hornady bullets are renowned for their manufacturing consistency and inherent accuracy. With proper load development tailored to your specific rifle, handloaders can expect sub-MOA (Minute of Angle) groups, making them a superb choice for precise hunting shots.

Q: Where can I purchase Hornady 2812 FTX 7mm .284 120 gr bullets?

A: These high-quality reloading components are available for purchase at DEGuns.

Product Specifications and Key Information

Feature	Description	Value / Detail
Manufacturer	Hornady
Product Number	2812
UPC	090255281203
Bullet Type	FTX (Flex Tip eXpanding)
Caliber	7mm	.284 inch diameter
Bullet Weight	120 grains
Quantity	100 Bullets per Box
Application	Hunting Medium Game (Deer, Antelope, Hogs)	Reloading Component
Key Technology	Flexible Polymer Tip, InterLock Ring	Controlled Expansion
Availability	DEGuns