First Look: Hornady V-Match Ammunition

by
posted on January 26, 2024
** 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 V Match Ammo Lead

For those who love the pursuit of woodchucks, rockchucks, prairie dogs and other varmints, Hornady has given much to be happy about with their new V-Match ammunition line. Loaded with the new ELD-VT projectile, this is an excellent means of creating the ‘red mist’ that varmint hunters love.

Hornady V-Match ammunition boxes with several rounds surrounding.

The new projectile is the key to the equation, as it blends the uniformity, aerodynamics and accuracy of the ELD-X and ELD Match lines with a thinner jacket which results in near-explosive expansion. The Hornady AMP bullet jacket is very uniform jacket, and it renowned for its excellent concentricity. Mate the AMP jacket with the proprietary Heat Shield polymer tip—which will maintain its integrity throughout the flight of the bullet—and you’re looking at the main ingredients of the ELD bullet formula, but with the ELD-VT projectile, the lead core is significantly shortened. This moves the bullet’s center of gravity considerably rearward, as well as leaving a large air void behind the Heat Shield tip. Upon impact, that tip will move rearward, into that air cavity, and the compression of the air will violently force the bullet jacket outward; this gives the violent expansion that varmint hunters love.

Hornady V-Match ammunition cutaway to show interior of bullet.

So with a new bullet design, Hornady has released the V-Match line of ammunition, which is available in 22 ARC with a 62-grain ELD-VT, 6mm Creedmoor with a 80-grain ELD-VT, 6.5 Grendel and 6.5 Creedmoor, both with a 100-grain ELD-VT. The bullet is also available in component form for the reloaders, with the .224-inch 62-grain, 6mm 80-grain, 6.5mm 100-grain and (perhaps most interestingly) .308-inch 174-grain all being on the menu. Based on the successes and longevity of the ELD Match and ELD-X bullet lines, and the results Hornady has shown, I feel comfortable saying that the ELD-VT projectile line and the V-Match ammunition line will be equally successful.

For more information on the new V-Match ammo, visit hornady.com.

Latest

Ledenew World Screwworm Closing
Ledenew World Screwworm Closing

New World Screwworm Closing the Gap to the Border

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in April that the New World Screwworm (NWS) is closer to the Texas border than ever before in this latest outbreak. On April 20 Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller warned, “The threat of the New World screwworm is creeping dangerously close to our border. A confirmed case in Nuevo León, just about 60 miles from the United States, in a young calf is a flashing red warning sign we will not ignore.”

10mm Auto Pistol Caliber Carbines: The 'Best' Outdoor Option?

Last year we posed the question, "Is the 10mm Auto PCC the next great outdoor carbine?" while taking a look at a few of the models currently in production. Since then, the selection has continued to grow. Are the PCCs chambered for 10mm Auto the most powerful options out there? The answer is yes, and no. It's a matter of context. Let's take a look at what these carbines have to offer compared to those chambered in other handgun calibers.

New for 2026: Updated Federal Upland Steel

Federal Ammunition has two new 12-gauge loads in its Upland Steel shotshell lineup. Built for consistent patterns and hard-hitting performance with non-lead shot, these new offerings are being delivered to retailers nationwide and expand the versatility of the Upland Steel product line.

New for 2026: ATN TICO 6 Thermal Clip-On

ATN Corp. has announced it's TICO 6 Thermal Clip-On, a next-generation thermal clip-on designed for hunters looking for a thermal upgrade to their favorite daytime scope.

Tips & Tactics: Hone Your Tiny-Tract Turkey Skills

Different is good despite what peers and friends may say about your contradictory ways. Staying the course as different could be your key strategy when hunting a small property for turkeys this spring. Curveball tactics, unexpected pop-ins and tossing time-honored tactics all could flow in your favor while hunting a tiny tract for turkeys.

First Look: Bond Arms 250th Anniversary Hand Cannon

Bond Arms has introduced its America 250th Special Edition Hand Cannon, a limited-edition heirloom created to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of American Independence.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.