6CM: 103 ELDX vs 109 ELDM

[Woody26]

I've had good luck with the 103 eld x on antelope doe hunts. Multiple one shot kills from 85 to 720 yards. Let my nephew borrow it for his first deer hunt this past season. 200 yards bang Flop On a nice mulie.

 

[atmat]

I’ve killed probably 7-10 deer with the 103x and 108m. I could not tell the difference in performance, though it’s obviously not a huge sample size.

You’ll be good with either. But like me, I’m sure you’ll doubt yourself and want more opinions haha

 

[Cz455guru]

Didn’t end up using them much because of 95gr TMK’s and the 93gr Copper Roses. They’ll get used this year I expect. What I have seen I like a bit better than the ELD-M’s- but it’s a small sample size.

Where did you get your hands on some 95 tmk at? Been looking for those for a long time.

 

[Firerock]

Also considering these two options. After shoulder surgery need to work towards a lower recoiling caliber.

 

[2buffalo]

Not the same but I bet similar. Last year 1-5x5 elk, one six point wt, one 9 point whitetail, one doe, and one spike (cull). All different angles and distances. The bull was 50 yard quartering away made it 25 yds, 6 point dropped in tracks, 9 point did a small circular death run 187 yd shot, doe CNS hit went down shot her again at 228, spike went on s 30 yd jaunt before face planting. Elk had no exit wound with 175 eldx but it was quartering hard away. All the rest were broad side and all exited 6 point with a 175x the rest with 180 eldm.

 

[Carl Ross]

I see this is older but revived. I’ve taken multiple elk with each the 103 ELD-X, 108 EH, and the 109 ELD-M.

The only wound channel I didn’t like was one of the Bergers that impacted below 2000 fps but above 1800, it made a VERY narrow wound. I stocked up on 109 ELD’s for my 6mm hunting bullet personally.

 

[justin davis]

I see this is older but revived. I’ve taken multiple elk with each the 103 ELD-X, 108 EH, and the 109 ELD-M.

The only wound channel I didn’t like was one of the Bergers that impacted below 2000 fps but above 1800, it made a VERY narrow wound. I stocked up on 109 ELD’s for my 6mm hunting bullet personally.

Copy that. I’m planning on running the 108 elite hunters this year Been wondering how they work

 

[Carl Ross]

Copy that. I’m planning on running the 108 elite hunters this year Been wondering how they work

I used them on three that impacted above 2200 fps and liked all those results, the slow one (slow due to distance) was the eyebrow raiser. Nothing got away or anything, but I did give the Hornady’s the nod the next time.

 

[TxLite]

I used them on three that impacted above 2200 fps and liked all those results, the slow one (slow due to distance) was the eyebrow raiser. Nothing got away or anything, but I did give the Hornady’s the nod the next time.

Did you do anything to verify the tips were clear? Curious because I am back and forth on using these for pronghorn this year

 

[Carl Ross]

Did you do anything to verify the tips were clear? Curious because I am back and forth on using these for pronghorn this year

I didn’t, I used them as provided by Berger.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

In 243s and 6 Creeds the 108 ELDMs and 103 ELDXs are both a great choice.

I tend to favor the ELDXs but in most cases it is splitting hairs when it comes to killing.

The Xs are a bit more consistent in test mediums and animals so far in what many of us have seen as far as killing consistency.

It’s not taking anything away from the Ms but in .224 and 6mm cartridges (once your get below around 130 grains) the Xs have routinely outperformed the Ms.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Also considering these two options. After shoulder surgery need to work towards a lower recoiling caliber.

Lighter loaded 95 SSTs down to as low as 1,500ish FPS kill deer and elk well.

Also, my mother in law uses the hornady factory reduced load with 87 SSTs in her 243 and kills deer every year in Minnesota and Wyoming.

If you don’t have a “state or species minimum law” 80 ELDX and 77 TMKs out of 22 Creedmoor and 223s are very effective.

 

[KyleR1985]

I see this is older but revived. I’ve taken multiple elk with each the 103 ELD-X, 108 EH, and the 109 ELD-M.

The only wound channel I didn’t like was one of the Bergers that impacted below 2000 fps but above 1800, it made a VERY narrow wound. I stocked up on 109 ELD’s for my 6mm hunting bullet personally.

Carl are you shooting these in a dasher ?

If so, what COAL are you loading them at?

 

[Carl Ross]

Carl are you shooting these in a dasher ?

If so, what COAL are you loading them at?

Dasher, Creed, and 243. Kinda retired that Dasher barrel a while ago, can’t find any notes on that load.

 

[justin davis]

Did you do anything to verify the tips were clear? Curious because I am back and forth on using these for pronghorn this year

I think I’m gonna use the 108 elite this year out of 6 creed. I used a few on coyotes and they worked great. Hopefully can try them out on some big game. I’ve used the 108 ELDMs with good success but want to try the Berger’s.

 

[TxLite]

I think I’m gonna use the 108 elite this year out of 6 creed. I used a few on coyotes and they worked great. Hopefully can try them out on some big game. I’ve used the 108 ELDMs with good success but want to try the Berger’s.

I bought some eldm after shooting the elite hunters at some jugs filled with water at just over 300 yards and seeing some questionable results. The bergers just shoot so great it’s hard to switch and I know water jugs are not an appropriate test medium. I think I’m going to give them a chance and take them with me this year

After I burned up the factory ammo I started hand loading them and gained just over 200fps so I am hoping that helps the performance

 

[justin davis]

I bought some eldm after shooting the elite hunters at some jugs filled with water at just over 300 yards and seeing some questionable results. The bergers just shoot so great it’s hard to switch and I know water jugs are not an appropriate test medium. I think I’m going to give them a chance and take them with me this year

After I burned up the factory ammo I started hand loading them and gained just over 200fps so I am hoping that helps the performance

Yea gotcha. I’m shooting some right now at 3050. They shoot good. And I think would work well but hopefully test them out this fall

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Pretty wild actually. Back in 2012, I shot a really big Muley at 120 or so yards right in the point of the shoulder. Buck took off straight up hill, acting like he wasn’t even hit. I grazed his back running but missed another follow up shot. We tracked him into the thick timber and I killed him bedded at about 20 yards.

The first bullet zooked as soon as it hit flesh and just made a giant bloody bruised mess out of the entrance shoulder and did almost zero damage internally. I was pretty shocked by that….

That’s crazy. Is there a possibility the bullet hit something before it hit the animal? Not doubting your story, I just have a hard time conceptualizing a bullet blowing up in a couple inches of flesh.

 

[Tanner]

That’s crazy. Is there a possibility the bullet hit something before it hit the animal? Not doubting your story, I just have a hard time conceptualizing a bullet blowing up in a couple inches of flesh.

There is for sure, there was some small aspens around but I am almost positive it didn’t deflect as it still hit my exact POA. It was certainly a one off experience for me with that bullet but it soured me on them a bit.