What barrel twist rate is required to properly stabilise the Hornady 135 Grain A-Tip Match Bullets?

Hornady specifies a minimum twist rate of 1:8.5" or faster to adequately stabilise the 1.383" length of these projectiles. Slower twist barrels like 1:9" or 1:10" will fail to stabilise them, meaning you should drop down to lighter or shorter target bullets if your rifle lacks the required twist.

Do I need a special seating stem to load these bullets without damaging the aluminum tips?

Yes, because of the acute profile and precision-machined aluminum tip, a standard round-profile or tangent seating stem can deform the tip or seat the bullet off-axis. Hornady recommends using their specific A-Tip compatible seating stem, part number #397138, which applies pressure against the bullet ogive rather than the tip.

Are these 135 Grain A-Tip bullets suitable for medium-to-large game hunting in the Australian bush?

No, these are strictly engineered as non-expanding match projectiles designed for extreme-distance target shooting and PRS or F-Class competition. They lack controlled-expansion features, internal bonding, or jacket skiving, so Hornady recommends using their dedicated ELD-X or CX lines for hunting game instead.

What preparation is required before handloading these sequentially packaged bullets?

These bullets are packaged consecutively off the press and arrive unwashed from factory processing to avoid any tumbling wear on the projectiles. You should give them a light wipe using the included protective polishing cloth or bag to remove any residual manufacturing residue before loading them into your 6.5mm cases.

6.5mm Match Bullets - Hornady 26179

The Hornady .264 6.5mm 135 Grain A-Tip Match Bullets (Model: 26179) are component reloading projectiles designed for extreme-distance target and competition shooting. Built with an Advanced Manufacturing Process (AMP) copper jacket, a lead core, and a precision-machined aluminum tip, each projectile is engineered to minimize in-flight aerodynamic drag and shot-to-shot variance. These 135-grain projectiles come sequentially packaged directly off the production press in a 100-pack box to preserve manufacturing uniformity, accompanied by a protective polishing bag to wipe off machine oils prior to seating.

Key Features

Precision-Machined Aluminum Tip: Features patented Drag Variability Reduction Technology (DVRT) with an extended profile that shifts the centre of gravity rearward and resists heat-induced aerodynamic deformation.
Radar-Verified Aerodynamics: Delivers a Doppler-radar-verified 0.637 G1 and 0.321 G7 ballistic coefficient to preserve velocity and reduce wind deflection at extended distances.
Sequential Packaging: Boxed consecutively right off the press without mechanical wash tumbling to safeguard the ogive geometry and maintain batch consistency.
Cartridge Versatility: Engineered for loading in modern short- and standard-action 6.5mm platforms, including 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 6.5x47 Lapua, and 6.5-.284 Norma.

Specifications

Calibre / Bullet Diameter: 6.5mm (.264 in / 6.71 mm)
Bullet Weight: 135 grains (approximately 8.75 g)
Overall Length (OAL): 1.383 in (35.13 mm)
Ballistic Coefficients: 0.637 (G1), 0.321 (G7)
Sectional Density: 0.277
Minimum Barrel Twist Rate: 1:8.5" or faster
Seating Stem Requirement: Custom A-Tip seating stem (Hornady Part #397138)
Quantity: 100 projectiles per pack

Who is the Hornady 6.5mm 135 Grain A-Tip Match Bullets 100 Pack for?

Precision Rifle Series and National Rifle League competitors — Requires minimal wind drift and flat trajectories across multi-distance stages, delivered by this 6.5mm match reloading bullet through its 0.637 G1 and 0.321 G7 ballistic coefficients.
F-Class and extreme long range target shooters — Demands high aerodynamic stability beyond 1,000 metres, which this 135-grain projectile sustains when stabilized by a barrel twist rate of 1:8.5" or faster across its 1.383-inch overall length.

Less suitable for: Rifles with barrel twist rates of 1:9" or 1:10", which lack the gyroscopic stability needed for this 1.383-inch bullet length and perform better with shorter 120-grain to 123-grain match bullets; and medium-to-large game hunters, who require controlled-expansion hunting projectiles featuring bonded cores or jacket skiving.

SKU	HN42815LP
Model #	26179
Brand	Hornady
Shipping Weight	1.0000kg

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Hornady 26179 6.5mm Match Bullets 135 Grain 100 Pack

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