162 Eld x bullets that bad?

[S-3 ranch]

Uh-oh. I bought a bunch for my 300 WSM because that is all I could find.

Thanks for the warning.

I wouldn’t worry about the bond strike, their bonded , eldx isn’t and usually has 100% cup core separation

 

[parshal]

I didn't have a single pass through with the bondstrike on five African animals. All were as dead as my buddy's ELD-M but I thought I'd have pass through. I think they're more like the ABLR than the Scirocco.

 

[t_carlson]

I wouldn’t worry about the bond strike, their bonded , eldx isn’t and usually has 100% cup core separation

Not all bonded bullets are created equal. Fusions are built pretty light, IMO.

 

[WoodBow]

I've taken oryx, nilgai, a pile of pigs, and a coyote with eldx from my 6.5 prc. Only had to track one gut shot pig. Only exit ive ever gotten was on the coyote. Massive exit. I highly recommend frontal shots if you can shoot.

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[hicountry1]

It's a cup and core bullet, so expect cup and core performance.

No magic or rocket science to them.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

I shoot the 162gr ELD-M from my 7RM. I switched to them for the 2021 Colorado big game season. In 2021 I killed a cow elk at 505yd broadside double lung with a golf ball size exit. She ran 20 yards and tumbled/slid another 20yd and was dead. Less than 10 seconds and 40yd. In 2022 I killed a bull elk again at 505yd quartering towards me. Put the bullet in front of onside shoulder which buckled him instantly and he stumbled maybe 10yd and fell over dead in 5 seconds. There was no exit.

The ELD-M is a slightly different bullet than the X. I got them loaded by Unknown Munitions with ADG brass. I would personally recommend the M over the X.

 

[muzz]

I shoot the 162gr ELD-M from my 7RM. I switched to them for the 2021 Colorado big game season. In 2021 I killed a cow elk at 505yd broadside double lung with a golf ball size exit. She ran 20 yards and tumbled/slid another 20yd and was dead. Less than 10 seconds and 40yd. In 2022 I killed a bull elk again at 505yd quartering towards me. Put the bullet in front of onside shoulder which buckled him instantly and he stumbled maybe 10yd and fell over dead in 5 seconds. There was no exit.

The ELD-M is a slightly different bullet than the X. I got them loaded by Unknown Munitions with ADG brass. I would personally recommend the M over the X.

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Now I don’t think I’m brave enough to shoot the eld m at elk

 

[parshal]

After seeing the ELD-M on African game I’d have zero concerns on elk.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Now I don’t think I’m brave enough to shoot the eld m at elk

Why are you not brave enough? I just showed two dead elk with two bullets that died in seconds.

 

[amassi]

Read a lot of negative comments about these bullets. I was going to use them on my elk hunt this year. Thinking I’ll go with the hammer hunters .

They work great as do the 162 eld-m.
I had the opportunity to put and watch quite a few of the eld-m into crop damage deer and elk with a 7mm saw and they killed emphatically out to 740 yards.

 

[muzz]

Why are you not brave enough? I just showed two dead elk with two bullets that died in seconds.

Because my luck sucks!

 

[kcm2]

a few years ago, I shot a doe antelope at 100 yards, in the chest. She fell down got up after 30 seconds, ran in circles and took her off. My hunting partner witnessed the shot She ran off, we never found her.

Next antelope I shot at, 275 yards measured, doe antelope dropped after about 100 yds. Perfect chest hit, 103 gr EldX went in about 4 inches. 6mm creedmoor.

I replaced that ammo with the Hornady GMX bullets. I won't use the EldX again.

YMMV.

 

[muzz]

Why are you not brave enough? I just showed two dead elk with two bullets that died in seconds.

After thinking about it , the thicker jacket makes sense on the eldm bullet. I’m going to go this route.

 

[Gila]

Here are some facts from Hornady for those who have not read yet:

Will the jacket and core of ELD‑X bullets separate since they're not bonded? - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

ELD-X Bullet Jacket/Core Separation High-velocity impacts may occasionally cause the ELD-X bullet jacket to roll back past the InterLock ring during penetration, leading to jacket core separation as the bullet comes to rest. When bullets stop inside a...

www.hornady.com

 

[Jakerex]

About 65 grains of RL23 behind that 162 eld-x works great for me…. Hair under 3,000fps out of my short barreled (22”) 7mm rem mag.


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[Crowmangler]

There's a pretty extensive thread on here about the ELDX. It's informative with numerous examples of real world in field performance. Check it out if you have time. Personally I love the 162's in my 7mm RM. They are very accurate & very deadly. As mentioned above, they aren't made for anchoring an elk in the shoulder. If you put one in the boiler room on an elk it's dead. It explodes & turns lungs into jelly. But elk are like a battleship & if he's still standing / walking keep shooting.
I was concerned enough about them however that I bought some Federal TA's to use when hunting in thick timber at shorter distances. Just in case you graze a small limb, etc. it won't explode before impact.
Have taken 4 elk (40 yds to 500 yds) several deer and a bear with them so I'm a big fan.

 

[Hplayer13]

I don’t have much field experience yet but they are so dang accurate out of my Tikka 7mm

 

[HUNT JR]

I have no problems with my 162 out of a 28 Nosler. Has always performed well for me.

 

[Gila]

I trust the Hornady engineers. As a retired aerospace engineer/scientist, I can appreciate the science of it all. I have a limited entry bull tag. I’m goin’ elk huntin’!

The group size for the first 3 shots was .4”
———————————————-
Notes: Imported from Chronograph, String 1 on 7/17/23, 2:47 PM
Shots: 9
Average: 2877 ft/s
SD: 11 ft/s
Min: 2868 ft/s
Max: 2898 ft/s
Spread: 30 ft/s
Power Factor Average: 466
Power Factor Low: 464
Power Factor High: 469
Temperature: 103
Weight: 162 gr.
————————————————

 

[bummer7580]

Read a lot of negative comments about these bullets. I was going to use them on my elk hunt this year. Thinking I’ll go with the hammer hunters .

I have used 162 gr ELDX bullets on 3 big bulls. Great success on one bull and 2 kills less than good. One of the poor kills was my fault, hit the shoulder blade at 148 yards and had a complete separation of lead and cup. Fortunate that I was able to kill the bull the next day. Other poor kill I hit him behind shoulder but maybe a bit high. Took a long time to die, no exit. I guess all 3 died so they probably shouldn't be called failures. I switched to Federal Terminal Ascent. I understand other people have had a different experience and would encourage them to use what works for them.