Seems like the later hornady bullets (especially the sst) has the cannelure moved a little further forward ?? Have they changed the olgive profile?
I'm gonna wager a guess that with the sst bullet line it gives the bullet a "little more edge" on toughness because as the jacket peels back it will hang on in the cannelure area leaving a little more stout bullet driving. I've always thought the cannelure is what holds hornadies together just a little more than sierras and others without cannelure. OPINIONS PLEASE.........

I agree that the cannelure has some core holding ability and probably helps the jacket fold back closer to the sides of the bullet to make for a smaller frontal diameter. I have been shooting hornady's since they were called spire points instead of interlocts and liked their action then. I believe we are trying to control expansion too much and causing a loss of quick killing ability in a trade off for pemetration.

I`m gonna guess it`s because it will be loaded by commercial ammo makers and by moving it forward it will allow it to fit in the shorter magazine boxes. Aka Winchester @ 3.4". Browning @ 3.4" The 300 Winchester ammo comes to mind here, factory rounds so short.

It wouldn't surprise me if the intent is lawyer conceived to have bullets off the lands and presumably keep pressure lower. But then again maybe not, that would make the combustion chamber smaller and push pressure up. I don't know really, just sharing my thoughts. MM

Bein' a confirmed Hornady shooter, I just ignore the position of the cannalures. Course I ain't shootin' a rifle where I'd need 'em.