Mastering Extreme Distances: The Hornady ELD Match 195 Grain .30 Caliber Bullet – Your Key to Unrivaled Precision

For the dedicated precision shooter, the competitive marksman, or the handloader striving for the pinnacle of long-range accuracy, the quest for perfection is relentless. Every component, every variable, and every detail matters. When the target is hundreds or even thousands of yards away, and environmental factors like wind and mirage conspire against a perfect shot, the choice of projectile becomes paramount. This is precisely the domain where the Hornady ELD Match 195 grain .30 caliber (.308 diameter) bullet, model 30951, excels. Engineered with groundbreaking technology, these bullets are designed to overcome the inherent challenges of extreme range shooting, delivering consistent, devastatingly accurate performance shot after shot.

The Unyielding Pursuit of Extreme Long-Range Accuracy

What truly defines a successful long-range shot? It's not just hitting the target; it's about repeatability, consistency, and the ability to minimize external influences on the bullet's flight path. Traditional bullets, even high-quality ones, can falter at extended distances due to aerodynamic inefficiencies, particularly inconsistencies in their tips. As bullets travel through the air, friction generates heat, which can deform polymer tips, degrading the bullet's ballistic coefficient (BC) and leading to unpredictable trajectories. This is the fundamental problem the Hornady ELD Match line was created to solve, offering a solution that allows shooters to push their limits further than ever before.

Unveiling the ELD Match Advantage: Groundbreaking Technologies

The Hornady ELD Match 195 grain .30 caliber bullet isn't just another match bullet; it's a testament to innovative ballistic engineering. Its superior performance stems from a trifecta of proprietary technologies designed to maintain an incredibly stable and efficient flight path:

The Revolutionary Heat Shield Tip

One of the most significant innovations in the ELD Match bullet is the patented Heat Shield Tip. Unlike conventional polymer tips that can melt and deform due to aerodynamic heating, especially at high velocities and extended ranges, the Heat Shield Tip is manufactured from a proprietary polymer that is resistant to aerodynamic heating. This means the tip maintains its perfect, sharp form throughout its entire flight, preserving the bullet's incredibly high ballistic coefficient. This consistent aerodynamic profile translates directly into less drag, flatter trajectories, and significantly reduced wind deflection. For a shooter engaging targets at 800, 1000, or even 1500+ yards, this uncompromised tip integrity is absolutely critical for consistent impacts. It's the answer to how to maintain precision when every ounce of stability matters.

AMP (Advanced Manufacturing Process) Bullet Jacket

Consistency is king in precision shooting, and the Advanced Manufacturing Process (AMP) jacket is a cornerstone of the ELD Match bullet's renowned accuracy. These jackets are produced with virtually zero variation in wall concentricity and thickness. This incredibly tight tolerance ensures that each bullet is perfectly balanced, reducing yaw and wobble as it spins through the air. The result is a bullet that flies true and predictably, shot after shot, box after box. When shooters ask, "How do I achieve sub-MOA groups consistently at long range?" the answer often begins with the uniform construction offered by an AMP jacket. This meticulous manufacturing process contributes significantly to the bullet's overall stability and superior BC.

Optimized Secant Ogive Profile

The secant ogive design of the ELD Match bullets is carefully engineered to optimize the bullet's drag profile. This specific shape minimizes drag as the bullet cuts through the air, contributing to its exceptional ballistic coefficient. While a tangent ogive offers easier seating during reloading, the secant ogive, when meticulously designed like Hornady's, provides superior aerodynamic efficiency. This profile, combined with the Heat Shield Tip, ensures that the bullet maintains its velocity more effectively downrange, resulting in less bullet drop and a shorter time of flight, both critical factors for hitting distant targets. It’s an example of how subtle design choices can lead to dramatic improvements in downrange performance.

Designed for Precision: The Boattail Effect

Completing the aerodynamic package, the ELD Match 195 grain .30 caliber bullet features a precisely designed boattail. The tapered base of the boattail reduces drag at the bullet's rear, further enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency and maintaining its ballistic coefficient. This design choice aids in keeping the bullet stable during its flight, especially as it transitions from supersonic to transonic speeds, a critical phase where many bullets can become unstable. The combination of the Heat Shield Tip, AMP jacket, secant ogive, and boattail makes the ELD Match an incredibly efficient and stable projectile across a vast range of distances.

Beyond the Barrel: Understanding Ballistic Performance

For anyone serious about long-range shooting, understanding ballistic coefficient (BC) is fundamental. The Hornady ELD Match 195 grain .30 caliber bullet boasts an extremely high BC, confirmed through extensive Doppler radar testing.

What is Ballistic Coefficient (BC) and Why is it Crucial?

Ballistic coefficient is a measure of a projectile's ability to overcome air resistance. A higher BC indicates that a bullet is more aerodynamic and will retain more velocity, experience less bullet drop, and be less affected by wind drift over a given distance. BC is typically expressed in two standards: G1 (flat-based bullet) and G7 (boattail bullet, more accurate for modern long-range projectiles). For the Hornady ELD Match 195 grain .30 caliber bullet (30951), the published BCs are:

• G1 Ballistic Coefficient: 0.679
• G7 Ballistic Coefficient: 0.342

These numbers are exceptionally high for a .308 diameter bullet of this weight, placing it firmly among the top contenders for long-range precision.

How ELD Match Delivers Superior BC

The combination of the Heat Shield Tip, AMP jacket, and optimized secant ogive profile ensures that the ELD Match bullets maintain their high BC throughout their flight. This translates directly into tangible benefits for the shooter:

1. Reduced Wind Drift: A higher BC bullet is less susceptible to lateral forces like wind. This means less wind correction is needed, simplifying complex wind calls and increasing the probability of a first-round hit in variable conditions.
2. Minimized Bullet Drop: By retaining velocity more effectively, the bullet experiences less gravitational pull over time, resulting in a flatter trajectory. This reduces the amount of elevation adjustment needed, making long-range solutions more manageable.
3. Increased Downrange Energy: Greater velocity retention also means more energy delivered to the target, which, while not the primary concern for match shooting, can contribute to positive feedback on steel targets.

These ballistic advantages are why shooters consistently choose Hornady ELD Match bullets when every milliradian of precision counts.

Who Benefits Most from Hornady ELD Match 195 gr Bullets?

The Hornady ELD Match 195 grain .30 caliber bullet (30951) is a specialized tool, purpose-built for specific applications where ultimate accuracy is paramount.

Competitive Precision Rifle Shooters (PRS, NRL)

In dynamic shooting sports like the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and National Rifle League (NRL), shooters engage multiple targets at varying distances, often under tight time constraints and changing environmental conditions. The ELD Match 195 grain offers the ballistic performance needed to consistently make impacts from 100 to 1200+ yards, reducing the impact of wind and simplifying holdovers. Its inherent consistency helps shooters trust their data and focus on the fundamentals.

F-Class Competitors

F-Class shooting demands extreme precision from fixed positions, typically at 600, 800, 900, or 1000 yards. Every point matters, and groups are measured in fractions of an inch. The ELD Match 195 grain bullet, with its high BC and unparalleled consistency, is an ideal choice for F-Class Open and F-TR shooters looking to minimize group sizes and score those critical X-ring hits. It allows competitors to truly test the limits of their rifles and their own shooting abilities.

Extreme Long-Range (ELR) Enthusiasts

For those pushing the boundaries beyond 1500 yards, into the realm of extreme long range, the ELD Match 195 grain provides a reliable foundation. Its ability to retain velocity and maintain stability at vast distances makes it a top contender for hitting targets at a mile or more. When shooting at ranges where the bullet can be in the air for several seconds, every aerodynamic advantage translates into a significant improvement in hit probability.

Dedicated Handloaders and Custom Load Developers

The Hornady ELD Match 195 grain bullet is a dream come true for the discerning handloader. Its consistent manufacturing means that once an optimal load is found for a specific rifle, it can be reliably replicated. Handloaders can experiment with various powders, primers, and seating depths to fine-tune their ammunition, unlocking the absolute maximum potential from their rifle system. This bullet offers a superb platform for developing bespoke, match-winning ammunition.

Calibers and Rifles Ideal for the 195-grain .308 ELD Match

While the bullet is a .30 caliber (.308 diameter), its 195-grain weight makes it particularly well-suited for cartridges with sufficient case capacity and twist rate to stabilize it. Common choices include:

• .308 Winchester: With a fast twist barrel (1:10" or faster), the 195 gr ELD Match can perform admirably, though it is on the heavier side for standard .308 Win loads.
• .30-06 Springfield: A classic cartridge that can drive the 195 gr bullet effectively.
• .300 Winchester Magnum: A popular choice for long-range shooting, easily stabilizing and propelling the 195 gr ELD Match to high velocities.
• .300 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge): Designed from the ground up for heavy, high-BC bullets, the .300 PRC is an excellent pairing for the 195 gr ELD Match, maximizing its long-range potential.
• .300 Norma Magnum, .300 Remington Ultra Magnum (RUM), .30 Nosler, .30-378 Weatherby Magnum: These larger, high-capacity .30 caliber cartridges can push the 195 gr ELD Match at extreme velocities, making them ideal for ELR applications.

The key is ensuring your rifle's barrel twist rate is appropriate (generally 1:10" or faster) to stabilize this relatively heavy-for-caliber projectile.

Achieving Peak Performance: Reloading with ELD Match

For those who load their own ammunition, the Hornady ELD Match 195 grain .30 caliber bullets provide an exceptional foundation. To maximize their potential, meticulous reloading practices are essential.

Critical Reloading Steps for ELD Match Bullets

1. Case Preparation: Begin with clean, uniformly sized, and trimmed brass. Chamfering and deburring the case mouth ensures smooth bullet seating without damaging the Heat Shield Tip or the bullet jacket. Annealing brass can also contribute to consistent neck tension.
2. Primer Selection: Choose high-quality, consistent primers. Large Rifle Match primers are often preferred for their uniform ignition.
3. Powder Charge Consistency: Use a precise powder measure and check weights frequently. Even small variations in powder charge can affect muzzle velocity and, consequently, trajectory at long range. Temperature stability of the powder is also a consideration.
4. Seating Depth (COAL/CBTO) Optimization: Experiment with seating depth. While the ELD Match bullets are forgiving due to their Heat Shield Tip, finding the optimal Cartridge Overall Length (COAL) or Cartridge Base to Ogive (CBTO) for your specific rifle barrel can significantly tighten groups. This typically involves seating the bullet incrementally closer to or further from the rifling lands and observing group sizes.
5. Neck Tension: Consistent neck tension is vital for uniform bullet release. Ensure your sizing die provides appropriate neck tension for the ELD Match bullet, allowing for a firm but smooth seating process.

By paying close attention to these details, handloaders can unlock the full ballistic potential of the Hornady ELD Match 195 grain bullets, creating ammunition precisely tailored to their rifle and shooting discipline. Many precision shooters report finding their "nodes" – the powder charge and seating depth combinations where the rifle shoots its tightest groups – with these bullets, leading to truly exceptional accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions by Precision Shooters

What makes Hornady ELD Match bullets different from other match bullets?

The primary differentiator is the patented Heat Shield Tip, which prevents tip deformation from aerodynamic heating at extreme ranges. This maintains the bullet's incredibly high and consistent ballistic coefficient, leading to less wind drift and bullet drop compared to traditional polymer-tipped match bullets, especially at distances beyond 400-500 yards. Additionally, the AMP jacket ensures unmatched concentricity and consistency.

Are these bullets suitable for hunting?

While the ELD Match bullet is engineered for extreme precision and target shooting, its terminal performance on game is not its primary design consideration. It is a non-expanding match bullet. For hunting, Hornady offers other excellent bullet lines like the ELD-X, SST, or InterLock, which are specifically designed for controlled expansion and reliable terminal performance on game animals. Using a match bullet for hunting, especially at long range, requires careful consideration of ethical shot placement and understanding its non-expanding nature.

How do I find the best load for my rifle with Hornady ELD Match 195 gr?

Finding the optimal load involves a systematic approach:

1. Consult Reloading Manuals: Start with published data from reputable sources for your specific cartridge and the 195-grain bullet.
2. Powder Selection: Choose a powder known for consistency and good velocity in your cartridge.
3. Ladder Test: Load small batches with incrementally increasing powder charges (e.g., 0.3-0.5 grain increments) and shoot them to identify "nodes" or accuracy plateaus.
4. Seating Depth Test: Once a promising powder charge is found, experiment with seating depth adjustments to fine-tune group size.
5. Chronograph: Use a chronograph to measure muzzle velocity and verify consistency. This data is critical for accurate ballistic calculations.
6. Real-World Testing: Confirm your load's performance at various distances relevant to your shooting discipline.

This iterative process helps you discover the perfect symbiotic relationship between your rifle, cartridge, and the Hornady ELD Match 195 grain bullet.

The Hornady Commitment to Excellence

Hornady has built a reputation over decades as a leader in ammunition and component manufacturing, driven by a philosophy of "Ten Thousandths of an Inch." This commitment to precision is evident in every aspect of the ELD Match 195 grain .30 caliber bullet. From advanced design and extensive Doppler radar testing to rigorous quality control processes, Hornady ensures that their products meet the exacting demands of the most discerning shooters worldwide. When you choose Hornady, you're not just getting a bullet; you're investing in decades of ballistic expertise and a relentless pursuit of accuracy.

The Hornady ELD Match 195 grain .30 caliber bullet (30951) stands as a beacon of innovation in the world of long-range precision. It addresses the fundamental challenges of shooting at extreme distances by delivering unparalleled aerodynamic efficiency, consistency, and stability. For competitive shooters striving for the podium, or enthusiasts dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible, this bullet provides the competitive edge and the confidence needed to make those challenging shots. Invest in the best, and watch your groups shrink and your hit percentages soar.

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Hornady ELD Match 195 gr .30 Caliber Bullet Specifications

Feature	Detail
Product Name	Hornady ELD Match Bullets
Bullet Type	Extremely Low Drag - Match (ELD Match)
Caliber	.30 Caliber (.308 Diameter)
Bullet Weight	195 grains
Quantity	100 bullets per box
Ballistic Coefficient (G1)	0.679
Ballistic Coefficient (G7)	0.342
Tip Material	Heat Shield Tip (Proprietary Polymer)
Jacket Type	AMP (Advanced Manufacturing Process) Jacket
Base Design	Boattail
Ogive Profile	Secant Ogive
Manufacturer Part #	30951
UPC	090255309512
Availability	Available at DEGuns and deguns.com