Still Deadly at 17,889.
I don't think ship makes any difference. I think it is your rank versus your opponent's rank. So killing Elite ships will rank you up faster than harmless kills.
What this tells me is that Bounty Hunting while profitable (mostly) doesn't help your elite status at all. I have 7,503 bounties and the rest are CZ kills.
Is that really the way it's supposed to be?
I think it is time for FD to reveal the algorithm. Now it just feels random (But of course I know out isn't)
Nope; keep the algorithm in a 'black box'. Live in the game and learn; we don't all have to be 'Elite' in a months time.