2017 Ammunition Product of the Year: Hornady Precision Hunter

by
posted on April 27, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
hornady_precision_hunter_gba_f.jpg

Being recognized as “best in class” is much easier said than done, but the companies’ products featured in these stories have outdone themselves, and have truly earned the title.

Ammunition Product of the Year: Hornady Precision Hunter
Most modern bullets use polymer tips, but polymer melts at 320-345 degrees Fahrenheit, while bullets can reach temperatures greater than 800 degrees during flight. To counter this, Hornady created the ELD-X hunting bullet with its Heat Shield Tip, which sports a melting point above 700 degrees and degrades far less, making for a more accurate bullet with a higher ballistic coefficient. The company then loaded it in its Hornady Precision Hunter (“Hardware,” July ’16) ammo line.

AH contributor Mark Kayser tested them, and his conclusion was: “If you have a rig that shoots well now, I have reason to believe it will shoot even better at long range if you feed it ELD-X bullets.”

Editor's Note: Winning products must be tested by the editors, meet or exceed expectations on innovation, and provide hunters and shooters with value for their money. NRA Publications will present the annual Golden Bullseye Awards at an invitation-only breakfast during the 2017 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Atlanta, Ga., April 28-30.

Latest

LEDE Shotgun Roundup 3
LEDE Shotgun Roundup 3

Hot From SHOT: The Best New Hunting Shotguns of 2026

If you're back with us, fresh off of yesterday's SHOT show coverage, welcome back. If you're just checking in with us for the first time, be sure to go back and check out our roundups of the best rifles, optics and bowhunting gear to come out of the show so far this year. Today, however, read on to see the best shotguns of SHOT 2026, compiled by longtime contributor and diehard hunter, Brad Fitzpatrick. 

Nosler Whitetail Country Line Extensions

For 2026, Nosler has seen fit to extend its Whitetail Country line, and Phil Massaro likes their choices. Read on for more.

Knight & Hale Expands Mouth Call Lineup

Knight & Hale Game Calls has announced several new mouth calls to its lineup, tested in the field by championship level callers. Check them out here.

New for 2026: Savage 110 Trail Blazer

Leading off Savage's line of next-generation Model 110s comes the 110 Trail Blazer, a perfect showcase for the company's new AccuFit 2 stock. Learn more about it in this exclusive video with American Hunter Editor in Chief Scott Olmsted.

Hot from SHOT: Best Optics of 2026

In the market for a new optic? You're in luck. In this installment of our 2026 SHOT coverage, we tasked experienced hunter and longtime contributor Brad Fenson with rounding up the best new optics of 2026. Read on to see what made his exacting cut.

New for 2026: EAA Balikli Blue Label O/U

This year, EAA has debuted the latest in its line of imports, with the Balikli Blue Label Over/Under shotgun.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.