SmalljawNH
FNG
I understanding this is a long range forum, but please humor me. I searched around Rokslide to see if anyone posted a similar experience but didn't find anything.
Has anyone else experienced terminal performance issues with the ELD-X bullets?
Background:
A friend of mine hunts with a Proof Research Elevation MTR in 6.5 PRC. We were hunting mule deer in west TX in late Nov. and we round a bend in the trail on our way to a new glassing spot, a shooter buck was broadside at 45 yards. Buddy jumps out of the side by side and puts one shot through the lungs behind the shoulder. Deer does a mule kick, runs 10 yards and stops. Adrenaline hits my friend and his 2nd shot spined the deer, third shot misses over its back. Buddy composes himself, takes a good rest, aims, 2nd shot behind the shoulder and in the lungs.
We wait 15 minutes, the deer does not expire. We walk up and he puts a third shot behind the shoulder at close range finally killing the deer. It was tough to watch and after field dressing, all three shots in the lungs penciled through the deer without doing a lot of damage. The spine shot was catastrophic and seems to be the only bullet that expanded.
I feel my rambling story above was needed to explain that while we expected a 300 +/- yard shot, we were presented with a deer at 45 yards and this bullet didn't perform as I had expected. One guide and one experience long distance hunter in Colorado on TikTok (@rackpackofficial and @theguide970) seem to have similar experiences. Genuinely curious to hear of any experiences with the terminal performance of ELD-X. Thanks!
Has anyone else experienced terminal performance issues with the ELD-X bullets?
Background:
A friend of mine hunts with a Proof Research Elevation MTR in 6.5 PRC. We were hunting mule deer in west TX in late Nov. and we round a bend in the trail on our way to a new glassing spot, a shooter buck was broadside at 45 yards. Buddy jumps out of the side by side and puts one shot through the lungs behind the shoulder. Deer does a mule kick, runs 10 yards and stops. Adrenaline hits my friend and his 2nd shot spined the deer, third shot misses over its back. Buddy composes himself, takes a good rest, aims, 2nd shot behind the shoulder and in the lungs.
We wait 15 minutes, the deer does not expire. We walk up and he puts a third shot behind the shoulder at close range finally killing the deer. It was tough to watch and after field dressing, all three shots in the lungs penciled through the deer without doing a lot of damage. The spine shot was catastrophic and seems to be the only bullet that expanded.
I feel my rambling story above was needed to explain that while we expected a 300 +/- yard shot, we were presented with a deer at 45 yards and this bullet didn't perform as I had expected. One guide and one experience long distance hunter in Colorado on TikTok (@rackpackofficial and @theguide970) seem to have similar experiences. Genuinely curious to hear of any experiences with the terminal performance of ELD-X. Thanks!