Hornady 55 Grain Softpoint Cannelure vs None

[DMW1116]

I have a couple boxes of the smooth version I am preparing to work up a née load with TAC powder. I see Hornady also has a version with a cannelure. What is the advantage or intended use of one over the other? When I bought them there were no cannelure versions available. Should I have waited?

 

[AJC1]

I wouldn't be bothered either way. It's not like the recoil is massive and you need the cantaloure.

 

[HJ857]

The cannelure is specifically used for when you seat the bullet with the intent of roll crimping, then the crimp goes into the cannelure band.

I've loaded thousands of the Midsouth versions of those, with the cannelure. In testing the cannelure versions shot insignificantly more accurately than the non version. I load them long so I'm not using the cannelure anyway. Ultimately I think there isn't enough difference to matter. Load them up and don't worry about it.

 

[Walkalong]

It would take a very accurate set up to show the difference. I have a Sako varmint rifle that back in the day it seemed like the bare bullet shot a little better. Seemed like it.

 

[sparkyv]

I resemble that remark.

I load them long so I'm not using the cannelure anyway.

 

[TEXASJD]

I shoot both with Tac its my go too bulk load for ARs cant tell any difference in accuracy.

 

[DMW1116]

Sounds like good news. When I got them I was looking for a flat based bullet for 200 yard and less shooting. It shoots pretty good with CFE 223, but I want to keep that for a different load. I have a basically new can of TAC so I thought this would be a good way to make use of both.

 

[FROGO207]

55 grainers and TAC go together like PB & J IMHO. Also my most accurate long gun ammo is not crimped as I test. Having a canalure that I ignore anyway seems like a waste. With the mil spec ammo that is crimped and sealed they make them to work, not necessarily to be accurate.

 

[bullseye308]

Most 55 grain are not made as precision bullets so it really doesn’t matter much. Cannelure or not in most uses shoot close enough that most shooters in most guns won’t see a noticeable difference. Most don’t crimp 223 either, and many times don’t seat to the cannelure. IME proper neck tension is more important for 223 than where I seat the bullet to and if I crimp or not.

 

[DMW1116]

I use TAC for my blammo load in 223. It was generally more accurate than H335 with the 55 grain FMJ bullets but not much. I just finished a run of TAC/55 grain loads and only used a little of this bottle. TAC seemed the natural choice for the lighter soft points since I decided to keep the CFE for a 77 grain load.