7 SAW vs vanilla 7mm-08

[Pilsner]

This article gives a good history of the ELD-X's development and corroborates what I had heard from a former colleague who worked in ballistics, which is that it is derived from the A-MAX. Either way, the basic concept is a thinly jacketed cup-and-core projectile. I'm sure guys have had success with them, but I personally lost a nice animal shooting them once.

Not saying I'm the saltiest dude alive but I definitely know what a disappearing blood trail and a dead end tracking job looks like.

From the article: "Combining the Heat Shield Tip with a sophisticated jacket and Hornady’s Interlock design, the ELD-X bullet will be loaded with the best-available powder, primers and cases in the new Precision Hunter line of ammunition..."
At no point in that article does it say the ELD-X was derived from the A-Max. It only said that the A-Max was one of the first tipped rounds to work well and the tip increased a number of useful characteristics to the hunter like consistent BC values, initiate expansion, etc.

-Doc

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

My daughter's 18" Tikka 7-08 load is the following:

Alpha brass
CCI LRP
46.5 grains of SB 6.5
162 ELDX @ 2.925" COL
2,628 MV

So far she has killed one big cow elk at 185 yards. For perspective, I'm 6'1 and 225. Shot was in the crease quartering away and the bullet liquified the heart and lungs and shattered the far humerus/scapula ball joint. We recovered the intact bullet just under the offside hide. The cow stumbled a steps right then left and tipped over in its tracks.

This combination also groups exceedingly well. Attached is her best 10 shot group at 100 yards.

Sample size of one, no doubt, but I have tremendous confidence in this rifle from range sessions to field use and won't hesitate to have her use it on her next Western hunt.