Different year- same bullet- different results

[bummer7580]

Earlier I posted about an experience I had with the 162 gr. ELDX bullets I used last year on a bull elk. The first bullet at 180yds knocked the bull down and the finisher shot at 5yds didn't finish the job very fast. Neither bullet exited and I found pieces of bullet 18" from the bullet path. I was somewhat disappointed with bullet action and planned on using a different bullet this year.
Fast forward 1 year. I got busy, shot up my supply of new "hard" bullets and just before season the local gunshop only had 162 gr. ELDX in stock. Loaded them as last year and went elk hunting. A bugling bull stepped out at 70yds slightly quartering to me. His cows were getting nervous and I didn't want a running rear end shot. When I pulled the trigger the bull almost fell, staggered about 15yds fell, got up staggered another 10yds and collapsed. My second shot hit an 6"aspen sending a shower of bark into the air. Really impressed how that one bullet flattened that elk.
When we gut the elk I was surprised by the bullet action. The bullet entered the brisket traveled through the cavity and exited his right side rib cage, The bullet traveled through 30" of meat and broke a rib on the way out leaving a 2" exit hole. The damage path was similar to bulls I have shot with Nosler partitions, almost controlled action. I can't explain the different ELDX bullet action from year to year. Did the manufacturer change the lead composition making the bullet harder? I now understand how there can be different opinions on the same bullet.

 

[rayporter]

who knows, but I would personally never forget the first failure and would switch bullets.

my pard shot his first elk with a hornady and we never shot those again as the bullet literally shattered.

 

[SemperFiHunter]

Barnes... Barnes... Barnes...
Heh! But not joking!
Barnes TSX in whatever iteration floats your boat, or whichever one your rifle likes best.

I’v killed a bull moose in Alaska and a Cape Buffalo in Africa, both with 300gr TSXs. Outstanding results on both. I’m sold on the TSX.

Good Luck,

SFH

 

[crossone]

Yep. Exactly. Cup and cores (like ELDxs, or Ballistic Tips) can often produce dramatically different results from one shot to the next. You’re right, that’s why Joe Blough says “these bullets are junk”, and Jim Bow says, “best bullets ever”! When used in similar circumstances. Bonded bullets (good ones) produce more repeatable and reliable results (Accubonds, Sciroccos, etc), bullets that are structurally built to hold together (Partitions, A-Frames) are (in my opinion) even more reliable than the bonded bullets, and finally, the monos (Barnes, Hammers, etc.). Although I would probably start a fist fight (maybe even with myself) if I said that monos out-perform Partitions, I will say that monos definitely have their place and if used properly, will produce repeatable results second to none.

 

[Newt]

I would say the difference in how they worked would be shot placement and potentially velocity at the point of impact.

Personally, I think cup and core bullets are just fine hunting bullets - until you get into the realm of hitting bone. I shot my bull with a 7mm-08 using Hornady's factory 150gr eldx ammo Precision Hunter. He was about 85 ish yards, squared up broadside to me, hit him right in the shoulder, below the shoulder blade. He went maybe 20 yards and piled up. I found the bullet and pieces in the offside shoulder, no exit.

I am using a 308 this year with accubonds in hopes of getting a complete passthrough. However, I would not hesitate to use the 7-08 if it was all I had. That thing is a gun you can drive tacks with.

Say all of that to say, everyone has their opinion on what is the 'best' bullet. Honestly, every bullet will perform differently unless everything is the same shot to shot. It does not matter what the bullet makeup is, they will all act differently unless you are on a bench shooting into ballistics gel.

 

[rayporter]

there is a lot of truth to what Newt says.

I have a collection of speer grand slams that have performed well. most of the elk and moose and bou shot with them were pass throughs but a few were found with a perfect mushroom. one deer was shot end to end and was a pass through.

many years ago a friend was testing bullets in wet news papers and he said the grand slam failed miserably so he went to nosler partitions. so due to this I don't necessarily trust tests either.